Sound (drivers?) crashing while gaming.

The sound completely shuts off and a popping/crackling sound starts playing once every 5 seconds. What normally fixes it is closing whatever application I have that sound is coming from or unplugging the usb sound card which I'm using and plugging it back in. What's strange is that iTunes and Audacity doesn't play at all (nothing happens when I press the play button) when the sound is broken.

Edited title and original post since I found out it's not a gaming only issue.

As the sound apparently works OK except with the game, it would suggest the game is causing the problem.

Although you are having a sound problem, its really a gaming issue and not a "sound" problem (this forum section).

Now we are getting somewhere. Please fill in the "My System Specs" so we know what we are dealing with.

I have a similar motherboard. A GA-Z77X UD5H.

With multiple sound devices they can conflict and cause lots of problems. Also, you can only have one default audio playback device.

In addition, since you have a SoundBlaster PCI and a USB device, make sure the Integrated audio is disabled in the BIOS.

Only have ONE sound device installed, e.g. the PCI card sound card, disconnect the USB and see if you have the problem.

I'll be gone for a while, as I have a PC service call to make at a client's location, so I won't be able to answer right away, as I have been doing.