Guild Wars 2

Hi,

I recently upgraded my graphics card, and ever since I have noticed a large buzzing sound whenever the game (or really any game that my GPU really starts to kick in on) renders. I am almost 100% certain that this is due to interference from my new graphics card for the following reasons:

• The sound output is very close to my graphics card

• The loud buzzing only “appears” when the graphics are being displayed. For example: In Guild Wars 2, when I am at the character select screen, the buzzing starts. I start to load in on a character, it stops, and then starts again as soon as the actual world is up and rendered.

• There was always some white static noise in the background, but it was never this loud. It happens through both the headphones and the speakers, because friends I have talked to over voice chat have noticed it too (they said it sounds like a fan is running in the background).

I have been looking into this problem, and since I don’t have much space left in my case, I was thinking that I should get an external USB sound card. This is the one I am looking into:

https://dx.com/p/usb-virtual-7-1-channel-external-sound-card-adapter-59077

A few questions I have:

1) Will this external sound card get rid of this buzzing interference noise from my GPU?

2) I am aware that this will in no way be an upgrade to my sound, but will it at least be about the standard/average integrated sound?

If anyone can answer any of these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. I am not looking for anything spectacular, just something to maintain an average sound quality and get rid of this buzzing.

Thanks!

Instead of a USB sound card get a USB headset that way yuo have it all in one that’s all I use ingame that way you can play the ingame sounds and music and get on a gaming VoIP server at the same time these headsets start at around $30 and up

If you decide on a USB headset, do make sure to first try using ports actually on the motherboard. My front-case USB wasn’t shielded, and I could hear interference pretty easily when using it…

Is the buzzing sound being heard through the speakers, or is it being heard from the GPU itself? If it’s from the GPU itself, you might be experiencing coil whine, which isn’t easily fixable (not necessarily a problem though; could probably RMA easily though if it’s a concern).

Feirlista Xv.1425:

Instead of a USB sound card get a USB headset that way yuo have it all in one that’s all I use ingame that way you can play the ingame sounds and music and get on a gaming VoIP server at the same time these headsets start at around $30 and up

I already have a headset that I like, but it’s wired, and a different one as backup, both which I really like (and relatively expensive), so I don’t think purchasing another headset would be the best option for me.

Espionage.3685:

If you decide on a USB headset, do make sure to first try using ports actually on the motherboard. My front-case USB wasn’t shielded, and I could hear interference pretty easily when using it…

Is the buzzing sound being heard through the speakers, or is it being heard from the GPU itself? If it’s from the GPU itself, you might be experiencing coil whine, which isn’t easily fixable (not necessarily a problem though; could probably RMA easily though if it’s a concern).

Unless I would be able to hear the GPU’s coil whine through my headset (and speakers, if the headset isn’t on), then no, it’s definitely not that. It’s definitely coming through my speakers/headphones.

No one has an answer?

The Eternal Grace.3157:

Espionage.3685:

If you decide on a USB headset, do make sure to first try using ports actually on the motherboard. My front-case USB wasn’t shielded, and I could hear interference pretty easily when using it…

Is the buzzing sound being heard through the speakers, or is it being heard from the GPU itself? If it’s from the GPU itself, you might be experiencing coil whine, which isn’t easily fixable (not necessarily a problem though; could probably RMA easily though if it’s a concern).

Unless I would be able to hear the GPU’s coil whine through my headset (and speakers, if the headset isn’t on), then no, it’s definitely not that. It’s definitely coming through my speakers/headphones.

It doesn’t seem unheard of for coil whine to also be heard through audio devices: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1794396/hearing-gpu-coil-whine-headphones.html

Can’t say for sure if I noticed this or not though when I did have coil whine…

Regardless, a USB sound card could have mixed results with that. If it’s less sensitive to interference, it may work out better. Someone reported they could hear coil whine worse with better-quality sound hardware though…

As for a way to fix (or handle) coil whine, you could try limiting your FPS. I only had coil whine when my FPS was around 2000+, and since I only had 2 things that could get that high, I just capped my global FPS to 180 lol. With GW2 on the other hand, I don’t see FPS being nearly “that” high…

Espionage.3685:

The Eternal Grace.3157:

Espionage.3685:

If you decide on a USB headset, do make sure to first try using ports actually on the motherboard. My front-case USB wasn’t shielded, and I could hear interference pretty easily when using it…

Is the buzzing sound being heard through the speakers, or is it being heard from the GPU itself? If it’s from the GPU itself, you might be experiencing coil whine, which isn’t easily fixable (not necessarily a problem though; could probably RMA easily though if it’s a concern).

Unless I would be able to hear the GPU’s coil whine through my headset (and speakers, if the headset isn’t on), then no, it’s definitely not that. It’s definitely coming through my speakers/headphones.

It doesn’t seem unheard of for coil whine to also be heard through audio devices: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1794396/hearing-gpu-coil-whine-headphones.html

Can’t say for sure if I noticed this or not though when I did have coil whine…

Regardless, a USB sound card could have mixed results with that. If it’s less sensitive to interference, it may work out better. Someone reported they could hear coil whine worse with better-quality sound hardware though…

As for a way to fix (or handle) coil whine, you could try limiting your FPS. I only had coil whine when my FPS was around 2000+, and since I only had 2 things that could get that high, I just capped my global FPS to 180 lol. With GW2 on the other hand, I don’t see FPS being nearly “that” high…

Thanks for the reply. I really don’t think it’s coil while, I just think it’s interference from my graphics card. I’m hoping/thinking that a USB soundcard will be far enough away (plus exterior helps) from my graphics card that it shouldn’t pick up anything from it. I can get them for $3-4 so I may as well try it and see how it works.