GPU Intefering with Microphone through Soundcard

[Urzu1000]

I've been having some trouble with my microphone as of late. There's always a slight "buzzing" noise, but whenever I run any sort of graphically intense game such as Battlefield 4, my friends report that the static is almost unbearable.

All the usual, and I really hate to call them this, "troubleshooting" steps like clapping my hands in front of it do little to nothing to alleviate the noise. I personally can't hear it, but they can. I don't talk to people often these days, so I'm honestly not sure when the problem first appeared.

I'm using a proper sound card (Asus Xonar DX) and it works great. My headset is full 7.1 analog, and the audio is extremely crisp and clean, which is why I'm confused. I could understand if it was just interference, but you would think that would affect one of the other handful of cables plugged into the same card.

I've tried two different microphones as well, just to troubleshoot. Tonight after work I'm going to be swapping out the GPU and sound card to see if having them on different sides of the case will make any sort of difference.

Does anyone have any advice or input on to what would be causing the problem?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Are you using a USB connection for any of your Audio devices? the computer PS 5vdc is in the USB cable.

 

[Urzu1000]

Hello... Are you using a USB connection for any of your Audio devices? the computer PS 5vdc is in the USB cable.

Thanks for replying. All connections are 3.5mm jacks. I have no USB audio devices installed.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Microphone cables require a good shield and cable construction... and has always been a Audio guy nightmare... I would try and Test the situation with you on the hearing END.
1) Shut off any "AUTO GAIN or AGC" in your APPS... this raises the volume of the MIC when there is no talking... and thus noise.
2) Try the Microphone test mode, and listen through your headphones or speakers, and you will hear your MIC signal... Go to Control panel-Sound and check for proper speaker/Mic settings... use the test button feature (recording-playback) for your Microphone and speakers.

 

[atomicWAR]

it's possible your GPU (or other component) is causing interference. I would do my best to isolate the sound card from it. Not sure what motherboard your running but try moving your sound card as far away from your video card as possible.

 

[Urzu1000]

I'll try both things as soon as I get home (about 30 minutes). I'm going to first move the soundcard as far away as I can, and then I'm going to test it.

Do you guys know of any way to provide extra "shielding" to the soundcard to prevent more interference? My GPU gives off some coil-whine, so I know it isn't exactly the best neighbor for my soundcard.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Your setup is typical to all others, with no Extreme noise problems... other than your MIC cable and APP settings... you could of got a Bad product... if your MB has a sound chip try that too, when testing different microphone headset hardware.

 

[Urzu1000]

Hey guys, I just wanted to say thanks for your help. I got everything working fine by moving the soundcard to a PCI-E slot farther away from the PSU and GPU. There's still a little static, but it's now pretty clear what the problem is, so I can try working with it from here.

 

[atomicWAR]

Glad to help. Now you know it's interference this might help you...

http://www.overclock.net/t/571718/how-to-make-emi-shielding-for-your-sound-card