Question Weird static noise when load exceeds 50%, since upgrading the RAM ?

[svpreme]

I recently upgraded my RAM from 16GB x2 (DDR5) to 32GB x2 (DDR5), and I’ve noticed a static sound affecting both my mic and video audio when system load exceeds 50%.

Issue Details:

• The static is very noticeable in Discord and while watching videos when loads are high.
• When system load drops, the static disappears.
• Occasionally, even under high load, the static disappears temporarily but returns.
• My mouse has frozen or skipped a few times (both are wireless), though this hasn't happened recently.
• No performance issues in games—I tested by running 5-6 high-demand games, and all ran smoothly; only the audio was affected.
• The issue seems worse in Discord, but video playback also experiences static.
• At one point, static occurred even when load was low, but it disappeared quickly.
• I confirmed the new RAM is compatible with my motherboard before purchasing.
• There was no audio issues until installing new RAM.

PC Specs:

• GPU: Zotac Gaming RTX 4090
• Windows 11
• CPU: i9-13900K
• Motherboard: Z790 UD AC
• PSU: 1250W InWin Platinum
• Old RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5 (32GB total)
• New RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR5 (64GB total)
• Cooling: Corsair AIO, Lian Li SL210 fans (9)

LatencyMon & Load Tests:

• Ran 5-6 high-demand games at 60% load, no in-game performance issues.
• LatencyMon results: Screenshots / Additional Test
• RAM Load (L-Connect): Screenshot

Troubleshooting So Far:

• BIOS & NVIDIA drivers are up to date
• SFC Scan Now and Scan Health → 0 errors
• Did a benchmark everything was stable
• Reinstalled Realtek audio drivers
• Ran overnight memtest → 0 errors
• Swapped USB ports but issue persists
• Tested with old RAM (32GB) → Couldn’t replicate static (Possibly due to not reaching the threshold where the issue starts?)

Main Question:

Could the higher memory usage be overloading the system, cutting out USB/audio resources? Or is something faulty? My PC runs fine otherwise, even when audio issues occur. Should I try different RAM slots?

Appreciate any insights—thanks!


To add main reason for upgrading ram was due to multi-tasking, but somewhere my audio is messing up and I'm not sure why. Also, I'm not 100% convinced it is even a RAM issue, but it's the only thing I've

noticed. So whenever it hits around 50-55% load it seems to start the issue. Also, the issue isn't constant even if I hit the load to 60-65% sometimes the static issue goes away by itself.

Crossposted

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Motherboard: Z790 UD AC
+
BIOS & NVIDIA drivers are up to date
For the sake of relevance, please mention the BIOS version that you're on for your motherboard. If the BIOS was flashed recently, did you clear the CMOS after verifying the BIOS was flashed successfully?

New RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR5 (64GB total)
Got a link to the ram that you're working with?

 

[svpreme]

Bios is F11: https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/Z790-UD-AC-rev-1x/support#support-dl-bios
Updated it a few months ago. Never reset CMOS, but I never had any issues with the sound until the new ram.

New Ram I bought: https://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX00125112

 

[Misgar]

• Old RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 DDR5 (32GB total)
• New RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR5 (64GB total)

You don't mention the speed of your old Ripjaw or new Vengeance. Are they both running at the same (XMP) speed or is the new RAM clocked faster? If the new RAM is verging on instability with a much higher XMP. it might explain things.

I’ve noticed a static sound

Is this static sound what I'd term a "crackling" noise? It's not unknown for RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) to "break through" into audio circuits and generate unwanted noise.

Microphone inputs can be very sensitive, if the microphone is only producing a few milliVolts, as opposed to a Line Level output of 0dBm or higher (775mV into 600 Ohms).

If you have a pair of headphones without a microphone, try them instead. It should eliminate the Mic input as a possible source of interference when the mic is not connected.

If the Mic input is to blame, try another mic. A clamp-on ferrite core where the headset cable plugs into the PC might calm things down, but it doesn't explain why the problem only appears with the new RAM.

Could the higher memory usage be overloading the system, cutting out USB/audio resources?

Highly unlikely. Have you checked "In Use" memory in Resource Monitor? Disregard "Standby" memory, it's just Windows pre-loading apps into memory it thinks you might need.

Should I try different RAM slots?

On a 4 slot motherboard, the norm is to use slots A2 and B2 if you're installing 2 DIMMs. Check your mobo manual. These slots tend to allow more stable operation at high XMP and allow Dual Channel mode.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I recently upgraded my RAM from 16GB x2 (DDR5) to 32GB x2 (DDR5), and I’ve noticed a static sound affecting both my mic and video audio when system load exceeds 50%.

What audio are you using?
List model names of your audio hardware and how you have connected it.

USB headphones?
Regular headphones connected with 3.5mm cable to monitor?
Regular desktop speakers connected with 3.5mm cable to motherboard?
Desktop speakers connected with optical cable to sound card?
Bluetooth desktop speakers?
Or something even more exotic?

 

[svpreme]

You don't mention the speed of your old Ripjaw or new Vengeance. Are they both running at the same (XMP) speed or is the new RAM clocked faster? If the new RAM is verging on instability with a much higher XMP. it might explain things.


Is this static sound what I'd term a "crackling" noise? It's not unknown for RFI (Radio Frequency Interference) to "break through" into audio circuits and generate unwanted noise.

Microphone inputs can be very sensitive, if the microphone is only producing a few milliVolts, as opposed to a Line Level output of 0dBm or higher (775mV into 600 Ohms).

If you have a pair of headphones without a microphone, try them instead. It should eliminate the Mic input as a possible source of interference when the mic is not connected.

If the Mic input is to blame, try another mic. A clamp-on ferrite core where the headset cable plugs into the PC might calm things down, but it doesn't explain why the problem only appears with the new RAM.


Highly unlikely. Have you checked "In Use" memory in Resource Monitor? Disregard "Standby" memory, it's just Windows pre-loading apps into memory it thinks you might need.


On a 4 slot motherboard, the norm is to use slots A2 and B2 if you're installing 2 DIMMs. Check your mobo manual. These slots tend to allow more stable operation at high XMP and allow Dual Channel mode.

The RipJaw and Vengeance are both 5600MHZ, the RipJaw was 36 latency the Vengeance is 40 Latency. But the Vengeance is 64gb - so double the memory. The crackling noise is like a crackle or an audio distortion. Where my sound coming from my headset via ears and via my mic are crackling. Like when I speak or hear sounds they sound a bit muffled, and have like a crackle overtone, the also cut out and in kinda but its very subtle. I'll try and record it if it happens again. The headset I'm using is the Logitech PRO X Wireless.

XMP has been enabled for both the RAMS and I've also put both in A2 B2 slots as they seem best.

What audio are you using?
List model names of your audio hardware and how you have connected it.

USB headphones?
Regular headphones connected with 3.5mm cable to monitor?
Regular desktop speakers connected with 3.5mm cable to motherboard?
Desktop speakers connected with optical cable to sound card?
Bluetooth desktop speakers?
Or something even more exotic?

Headset is :
Logitech PRO X Wireless. Connected via Bluetooth. No sound issues until I hit over 35gbish around half usage of RAM on PC. I will try and borrow my friends headset and see if get the same crackle when I try to hit his usage with a different headset. Not sure why the headset I have now would have issues with sound. I've putten the USB in 3 diff slots also.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Headset is :
Logitech PRO X Wireless. Connected via Bluetooth.
I've putten the USB in 3 diff slots also.

Are you using motherboard integrated Bluetooth?
or a separate Bluetooth USB dongle?

If you're using USB dongle,
did you know, your motherboard has integrated Wifi and Bluetooth?

Anyway - I'd try with wired headset (3.5mm cable) instead.
With Bluetooth it's possible to get signal interference.