Very annoying hissing noise (Any device that is plugged in)

[joshdw]

Hello guys,

I am having a lot of trouble with this very annoying hissing sound that you can hear if you plug in any speaker / headphone, etc, in the computer.
It's a very high pitched, continuous, beep, and static in the background.
I have tried many suggestions I found while searching similar threads, for example, using rear line out jacks instead of the front ones, turn off microphone, update drivers (Realtek).. and none of them helped.

Here are the specs, I'll gladly provide you with any more information:

Operating System
	MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
CPU
	Intel Core i3 530  @ 2.93GHz	41 °C
	Clarkdale 32nm Technology
RAM
	4,00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 666MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard
	Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. H55M-S2H (Socket 1156)	40 °C
Graphics
	TLU-01911C (1440x900@60Hz)
	1024MB GeForce GT 220 (Gigabyte)	28 °C
Hard Drives
	488GB Seagate ST3500418AS ATA Device (SATA)	34 °C
Optical Drives
	HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS50 ATA Device
Audio
	Realtek High Definition Audio

.more audio info..:
Sound Cards
	Dispositivo de audio USB
	Realtek High Definition Audio
Playback Devices
	Altavoces (3- USB Audio CODEC )	(default)
	Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
	Altavoces (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Recording Device
	Realtek Digital Input (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Speaker Configuration
	Speaker type	Stereo

Stupid question, but, could it be that I don't have a sound card?

 

[Qdos]

The mainboard has a built-in Realtek ALC888B codec, or onboard sound chip in other words.

It appears to have 2 spare PCi slots if you wished to add a higher quality sound card, however the noise issue you mention is not normal.

Interference is the most likely culprit. However whether it's from another component within the PC or is from an external source would be hard to say.

Moving the computer to a completely different location would eliminate the latter, but beyond that all I can suggest is to use ferrite rings on external audio cables and ensure you're running the right drivers for the sound chip...

 

[joshdw]

Thanks a lot for the response, could you link me to some good tutorials about buying / setting up a new sound card.
Oh and since you mentioned other components could cause it, I have quite a lot of cables / plugs next to the pc (where the main sockets are) For example, the wireless router is right next to it, maybe that is interfering, there are also about 5 other cables that go to for example the light, the speakers, printer..

Thanks once again for the reply

 

[Qdos]

Personally I'd want to eliminate the interference aspect of things first, because it could remain even if you fitted a standalone sound card...

That's why I suggested moving the PC and beginning a process of elimination...

 

[joshdw]

So I went ahead and moved the pc, no luck. So I called my it super knowledged friend and he said it could be the power supply.

I have no idea what to do now.

 

[sinbin]

have you got a snake stuck in ur pc case

 

[joshdw]

I wish, would be much simpler to solve

 

[Qdos]

The only way to resolve your issues is to start swapping out suspect components which could be causing the problem. I guess a "noisy" PSU could cause such an issue, but I would be surprised if anything but a dirt cheap one were to do so.

I think I might first try ensuring the drivers are the right, and latest, ones... then begin muting sound sources like line input etc - if the software interface allows that.

 

[joshdw]

Quick update, the sound is still there, but another awkward thing is happening.
When I open certain programs, such as Notepad++ and start editing lots of php files, I believe my CPU starts buzzing as well! Its wierd, I close the program, the sound stops immediately, I open it, it comes back :/

 

[whs]

That sounds like one of the crystals the mobo went bad.

 

[joshdw]

That sounds like one of the crystals the mobo went bad.

Thanks for the reply, going to take it to the repair shop and Ill mention it