Hi all,

I bought a Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer sound card because the features are exactly what I needed for my setup, ASIO for recording and the ability to keep using the front panel jacks on my case. Installation was smooth, and to my surprise I'm actually using the CMSS and Crystalizer features.

I prefer to plug into the headphone jack on the case because this automatically activates the Headphones preset on the sound card's control panel and mutes the speakers too, but i get some very noticeable background noise. I don't know if it comes from the fans or hard drives but I would like to get rid of it.

Has anyone had similar problems?

My PC has a Cooler Master HSF (larger than stock fan but runs quieter) and 2 sata HDDs (one noisier than the other.)

Thanks.

EDIT: The noise is not present when I plug my headphones directly into the card.

Most likely it is a DAC issue. Creative Labs has always had a problem with digital to analog conversion. I would check the hardware and see if the wiring is damaged or not (a long shot I know but just in case). It could be a damaged headphone jack in the case. If so, get an RMA and try another one. It is definitely a hardware issue.

Upon closer inspection, the noises are at a constant volume regardless of what the volume settings are on the control panel, It picks up noise from any scroll bar movement, window movements, tooltip popups, mouse cursor movement, etc.

Why is the case's headphone out picking up these things?

Sounds like the internal cable isn't well shielded.

Open your case and move the soundcard to the PCI slot furthest away from the video card. This should fix the problem, or at the very least, reduce the level of those sounds significantly.

The symptoms that you describe are of one of two or both issues:

1) poor cable shielding between the card and front headphone jack that is acting as an antenna

and

2) PCI bus noise


The first problem can be rectified (to a point) by building your own cable to use as an interconnect to ensure proper grounding and shielding. The second problem is a bit tougher. First, make sure the PCI bus is not overclocked. Second, Via chipsets are known to have latency issues that add noise.

The sound card is right next to the video card, I'll move it over and try it out. My PCI bus is not overclocked, and my MoBo doesn't have a Via chipset

Since the rear jack is also plugged into the PCI bus, but works correctly, this is not the problem. More likely #1, or possibly a bad solder joint somewhere.

You guys were right, the cable is poorly shielded, I first moved the sound card and the noise was still present, then I removed the video card and the noise was still present, then I removed the sound card itself and the video card too and used the integrated audio controller (realtek) and the noise was still present, I also checked the pins and connections on the front panel jacks and they are fine. Now I need to find a proper cable!

Thanks all

This is why I prefer external audio devices. Too many nasties running around inside a computer case. External boxes are generally well shielded either by metal casing or metalized plastic casing (like a cell phone.)

Bob

This is the only problem I've had with this sound card, very nice piece of hardware IMO.