New custom PC - audio issues

[vostok]

I've just got a new, custom-built PC. It's am AMD FX 6300 and all is lovely. Except for audio. Two issues:

- When I have phones or earphones (tried with two sets) plugged in, I hear intermittent white noise. Not a constant stream, but more on and off. This sounds like bad news; a hardware problem?

- The headphones, which are decent Sennheisers (£60) are really quiet. I've tried them on other devices and they seem OK.

Re: the second issue, I've read around the net that this is a common problem. I've been into the audio settings - both native Windows and Realtek's control panel - and played with the levels, loudness modifiers, equalisers - you name it. I also updated the Realtek driver, but no joy.

One post I found said to get a discreet soundcard, but this seems financial overkill just to get decent volume from headphones. Am I condemed, therefore, to low volum

 

[blobster21]

You could use one those band pass filter to neutralize the white noise.

it's very effective with laptops not properly grounded, or subject to interferences

We're using some of those small devices at work, in case of severe / unbearable white noise or high pitched statics on audio outputs

 

[sneekypeet]

If this is front panel audio, it is likely you are getting noise in the line from the PC. While the adapter above will likely do what you need, cases used to come with Ferrite rings on the audio cable to eliminate this, and is a very cheap fix.

 

[vostok]

Thanks for the replies, guys. @sneekypeet - I wasn't quite sure what you were referring to. Is this a peripheral for the PC case or the cable itself? In other words, what should I be searching for?

Thanks.

 

[sneekypeet]

google Ferrite ring, plenty of pics and locations to get them.

Most of those you find above will be black in color not white.
Or you have this style of option as well.

 

[vostok]

Aha - nice one, thanks.