Headphone humming/buzzing noise from possible PSU interference

[Strexils]

I just bought a new case (Fractal Design R5), swapped over all my computer components and everything was going fine until recently my headphones have been giving a constant buzzing/humming noise. I think it's linked to power supply interference.

The interference is present on both the front and back audio port. But it is definitely weaker in the back port.

I have a single, grounded cable from the wall to the PSU.

I tried to isolate the problem component by doing these steps:

• 
  I tried replacing the PSU with a brand new one, no change.
  I unplugged everything non-essential (including the graphics card), the noise weakened but was still present (less power used = less noise?).
  I even tried attaching just the old case's front audio port, no change.
  My headphones work fine in another PC.
  I detached the front audio port from the motherboard, no change the back port still gives interference.
  I have reinstalled windows (for the fun of it ;_, no change (correct/up to date realtek audio drivers).

Recently I did some overclocking. It didn't work out as my motherboard was not up for it (Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H), I'm unsure if the problem started at the same time (if it did I didn't notice), but it's a possible/probable cause.

Weirdly when I remove the PSU from the case and rest it on cardboard with everything but the graphics card plugged in the noise disappears. I tried resting the PSU on cardboard inside the case with nothing else touching the PSU but the interference is still there.

I think the motherboard may be the problem. I would be content waiting to buy a new one if I knew that would solve the issue, but I would also just rather fix the problem at hand so I don't have to suffer in the mean time.

Tomorrow I will transfer everything back into the old case to see if that fixes it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[datguy20]

Chances are the motherboards audio just isn't isolated very well and the interference is just from the motherboard itself. Motherboard audio is usually hit or miss. Maybe RMAing it would work, but if that doesn't then you either go with a motherboard that has good on-board audio or get a PCI audio card with decent reviews.

 

[egil.parker]

Anything new here? I got this to now and it's frecking annoying as hell