Solved Annoying problem with sound crackling and skipping

No problem. You should try running latencymon while listening to music or doing something that messes with the sound so you can check if something its causing high latency spikes when it pops/stutters. Its a really nice tool, far more detailed than DPC ever was, and will tell you exactly what is causing spikes. It could very well be a bad driver you can easily remedy
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lily
    CPU
    intel 4790k@4.7
    Motherboard
    msi z97 mpower max ac
    Memory
    16gb ripjaws x @2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    evga 980ti sc+
    Sound Card
    creative sbz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dell u3011
    Hard Drives
    840 evo 250 & 9tb
    PSU
    evga supernova 1000
    Case
    corsair 750d
    Cooling
    corsair h110
    Keyboard
    logitech g710
    Mouse
    logitech g502
    Internet Speed
    cable@110/15
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    webroot
No problem. You should try running latencymon while listening to music or doing something that messes with the sound so you can check if something its causing high latency spikes when it pops/stutters. Its a really nice tool, far more detailed than DPC ever was, and will tell you exactly what is causing spikes. It could very well be a bad driver you can easily remedy

Thanks, I'll check this out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    vaio sz4
    CPU
    Intel core duo 2ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia go 7400
    Sound Card
    Sigmatel High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    12800 x 800
    Hard Drives
    120 GB
Ok...now the interesting thing. I downloaded the Latencymon. True it showed that my NDIS Driver ( network ) has the highest latency time. So I tried to update it. Now it shows NDIS driver's latency fine but still get a crackling and stuttering sound...here's the screen pic: DPC.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    vaio sz4
    CPU
    Intel core duo 2ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia go 7400
    Sound Card
    Sigmatel High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    12800 x 800
    Hard Drives
    120 GB
Also having High Latency issues am 100% sure this is a Microsoft Issue and they need to update windows.
Am getting same two drivers has you plus c-media and USBport 2.0
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro 64bit
You're definitely suffering from some extreme latency and I'm sure it has something to do with your issues. Does the current kernel latency stay at that level at all times? I've read that windows 8 has made some changes in the way the os timer works so maybe drivers need to catch up. What does the driver tab look like? There you can see exactly what driver is causing the issue.
For reference this is what mine looks like;
 

Attachments

  • latency.JPG
    latency.JPG
    80.3 KB · Views: 263

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lily
    CPU
    intel 4790k@4.7
    Motherboard
    msi z97 mpower max ac
    Memory
    16gb ripjaws x @2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    evga 980ti sc+
    Sound Card
    creative sbz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dell u3011
    Hard Drives
    840 evo 250 & 9tb
    PSU
    evga supernova 1000
    Case
    corsair 750d
    Cooling
    corsair h110
    Keyboard
    logitech g710
    Mouse
    logitech g502
    Internet Speed
    cable@110/15
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    webroot
Ok. It looks like this is the culprit. NDIS.SYS. This driver or file takes almost 60% of the processor power causing huge spikes. How this can be fixed ? NDIS is located in system32, can it be modified or shouldn't be touched at all...?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    vaio sz4
    CPU
    Intel core duo 2ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia go 7400
    Sound Card
    Sigmatel High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    12800 x 800
    Hard Drives
    120 GB
The thing is that it could be almost anything causing that ndis latency. Any app or device accessing the web could be causing it. The thing I would try first is to disable all power saving features. A few include;

Setting the pc to high performance mode in power profiles
Disabling "allow the pc to turn off device" in device properties for nic, audio and usb
Disabling "green power" and all wake options in nic device properties and also manually setting speed instead of using auto
Disabling C-states and power savings in bios and if needed core parking in windows

Also to minimize audio pops and weird sounds mute all non used inputs and outputs in sound properties. This makes a huge difference in cleaning up audio
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lily
    CPU
    intel 4790k@4.7
    Motherboard
    msi z97 mpower max ac
    Memory
    16gb ripjaws x @2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    evga 980ti sc+
    Sound Card
    creative sbz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dell u3011
    Hard Drives
    840 evo 250 & 9tb
    PSU
    evga supernova 1000
    Case
    corsair 750d
    Cooling
    corsair h110
    Keyboard
    logitech g710
    Mouse
    logitech g502
    Internet Speed
    cable@110/15
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    webroot
Thanks. I've tried every step you suggested for me to do. Nothing helps so I think although my comp supports 64bit architecture it's simply not up to the par with 64bit systems.I think the chipset causes spikes etc. So maybe we should leave the topic and I should buy a new comp that will suport better 7 and 8.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    vaio sz4
    CPU
    Intel core duo 2ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia go 7400
    Sound Card
    Sigmatel High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    12800 x 800
    Hard Drives
    120 GB
Sorry to bump this again but i noticed something I should share. With the latest network driver at realtek.com I notice 1-2ms ndis spikes every few seconds on both windows 7 and 8. With the latest driver from windows update there are no spikes at all. Maybe you guys can try that out as well
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lily
    CPU
    intel 4790k@4.7
    Motherboard
    msi z97 mpower max ac
    Memory
    16gb ripjaws x @2133
    Graphics Card(s)
    evga 980ti sc+
    Sound Card
    creative sbz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    dell u3011
    Hard Drives
    840 evo 250 & 9tb
    PSU
    evga supernova 1000
    Case
    corsair 750d
    Cooling
    corsair h110
    Keyboard
    logitech g710
    Mouse
    logitech g502
    Internet Speed
    cable@110/15
    Browser
    firefox
    Antivirus
    webroot
Ok that was the bummer. It's all appeared that Windows 8 is not so much of a culprit actually. It's working absolutely fine as a 32bit installation on my comp. So it simply sppears that Windows 8 64bit demands the better hardware I mean not older than a 2 year comp probably and a bit newer drivers for Windows 8. I've been trying all the features for 2 days and sound etc. are working fine.

La Fin...thanks to all.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    vaio sz4
    CPU
    Intel core duo 2ghz
    Motherboard
    Intel 945
    Memory
    2 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia go 7400
    Sound Card
    Sigmatel High Definition Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1
    Screen Resolution
    12800 x 800
    Hard Drives
    120 GB
This is what I get in Windows 8 with my 4 year old desktop. I don't always get the pops and skipping. Wish I could figure this out.
 

Attachments

  • latencymon.jpg
    latencymon.jpg
    174.9 KB · Views: 302

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I haven't read through the whole thread so I don't know what you've tried, but the Ethernet controller is usually a big culprit.

Go into device Manager, and expand Network Adapters. Find your Ethernet controller and rt. click it, then select disable.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Toshiba Satellite
    CPU
    Intel Core Duo P7450 @ 2.13GHz
    Memory
    4Gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Raedon HD3650
You should try the following. The Power plan set to high perfomance, as this will reduce DPC latency. DPC latency may be the cause of why it occurs crackling sound.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Ubuntu and Windows 7 and 8.1
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