Question Mouse causing speaker static. Smart guys, help!

[Yazzie_H]

Smart guys, please help!
I just built a PC:
Windows 11
AMD Ryzen 9 7900
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
Mag B650 Tomahawk Wifi
external DAC: Soundblaster X G6
speakers: Klipsch R-41 PM

My setup works, except that any time the mouse moves, there is static through the speakers. Then, every few minutes when the static is loud, the DAC stops working and has to be unplugged and plugged back in to make it work. If I run the mouse pointer around a blank page, there is no noise. If it is a page with links or shortcuts, there is noise. If I unplug the monitor and move the mouse around, there is still noise. I am stumped!

Things I tried (that didn't make any difference):
Grounding my computer (I ran a ground wire to my plumbing in case my house ground wasn't right). Grounded the monitor just to be safe. Ran them to the same ground so there wouldn't be interference loop.
Tossing my wired mouse and getting a wireless mouse.
Changing the USB that the DAC and the mouse were plugged in to.
Updating the audio drivers.
Moving the cables so that they weren't close to each other.
Bypassing the external DAC and plugging right into the Motherboard.

 

[Yazzie_H]

Proper electrical ground and ground fault is two different things.

I have to admit I don't know the difference. I ran a ground wire from the plumbing to a screw on the PC case and a screw on the monitor case.

 

[williamjeremiah]

I have to admit I don't know the difference. I ran a ground wire from the plumbing to a screw on the PC case and a screw on the monitor case.

I deleted my initial comment because they are actually related, but grounding to your plumbing won't properly resolve an electrical issue.

 

[williamjeremiah]

Rearrange your cable management.
Try to lower the amount of cables running parallel to electrical cables and isolate any analog audio cables from other cables.

 

[COLGeek]

If you connect the speakers to a different device, what happens on that device?

Also, if you connect a headset to the PC, do you hear the static in those?

 

[Yazzie_H]

Have tried before rearranging cables so they aren't too close and aren't parallel.
Speakers work well on other devices.
Comes through headphones as well.

 

[COLGeek]

Have tried before rearranging cables so they aren't too close and aren't parallel.
Speakers work well on other devices.
Comes through headphones as well.

Take some pictures of the wiring sticking out/attached to the back of your PC and what the inside of your case looks like. Make sure to get a good image of the ATX I/O plate (the part with the USB and audio ports).

Upload to a site like imgur.com and then post a link here.

 

[williamjeremiah]

Try a process of elimination. Unplug components, working down to a minimum amount of components being interconnected.

 

[williamjeremiah]

I ran a ground wire from the plumbing to a screw on the PC case and a screw on the monitor case.

I would undo that.
Sometimes certain audio cables implement an unconventional audio ground to safety ground. Which can actually introduce noise issues.

 

[williamjeremiah]

A USB cable between your Soundblaster X G6 USB DAC and the computer should be the only connection between the two.

 

[Ralston18]

Pictures per @COLGeek (Post #7).

Make and model mouse? Or actually "mice" since you tossed one.