Graphics Card causes clicky sounds in audio devices when in use

[skubson]

Using a Lenovo z70-80
i7 - 5500U CPU 2.4GHz
Nvidia GeForce 840m (Dedicated)

When playing a game (any game), take Age of Empires for example, as soon as I launch the game a series of random clicks come out of my speakers (connected via audio jack), on average a click every 4-5 seconds, happens in both speakers, tested with a different pair of speakers, 2 pairs of headphones and also the built in laptop speakers, issue remains the same for each case. I worked out it's the graphic's card as:

1. When using the laptop for things such as listening to music, watching movies that don't require the graphics card to be working and the integrated graphic's card is being used, there's no issue at all, as soon as I launch any game and the graphic's card is in use, the clicking starts.

2. In the NVIDIA Control Panel, where I can choose the preferred graphics, after choosing the integrated graphics card to be used at all times, clicking never occurs whilst in game, however as soon as I switch back to the dedicated graphic's card, the clicking starts.

My question is, is there any way to fix this without having to take the laptop back to the store and have it repaired as I have had really bad experience with the services at John Lewis (where I got the laptop from) and can't be without the laptop for 2-3 weeks as I'm a student and use it on daily basis for my course.

Thank you all in advance.

 

[hang-the-9]

This sounds like a shielding issue with the system. Pretty good trouble-shooting to narrow down exact time issue happens.
You can contact Lenovo also and work with them instead of the retailer although turn-around time may not be much better.

If you want to try to fix this without dealing with support (which I suggest you work with them as this issue may turn into another one down the line, and if something breaks after warranty that may have been fixed earlier, you have to pay for repairs), you can try an external USB sound card, although that would make the laptop harder to just grab and carry.