Sound issue with ASRock Z77 Pro4-M and Realtek drivers. Can anyone help?

[IBJanky]

Hello everyone,

I recently put together a new PC build to replace my aging desktop at home.

Here's a quick list of the parts I used:
Intel i5 3570k processor
ASRock Z77 Pro4-M motherboard
Kingston HyperX 3k 120GB SSD hard drive
G.Skill memory (16GB)
I am using the built in graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000)

Long story short, I did a fresh install of Windows 7 64-bit and that went fine.

The issue I'm having is that when I install the onboard sound drivers (Realtek HD Audio), sometimes the sound output is distorted/crackling.

Things I've tried:
- Use the drivers that came with the motherboard installation CD
- Downloading and installed the latest drivers from the Realtek website
- Updated the motherboard BIOS
- Tested my speakers and headphones

I tried these things and I'm still experiencing the same annoying problem. Mind you, this is a fresh Windows 7 install, so there are absolutely no other apps/programs installed as of yet. I wanted to get everything up and running properly first.

I called ASRock tech support yesterday afternoon and described the problem. They suggested that I may have a defective audio jack. I drove 25 miles to the store where I bought the motherboard from and got it exchanged for a replacement. I went home and did a fresh install of Windows 7 again, only to be disappointed with the same problem

I was trying all sorts of things last night and here's something really important that I've noticed:

The crackling/distorted sounds only occur when I have Realtek drivers installed. If I uninstall the Realtek HD Audio from the device manager, and use the generic Microsoft audio drivers (it is labeled as "High Definition Audio Device"), then I experience no sound problems whatsoever.

This held true for the original and replacement motherboards (both ASRock Z77 Pro4-M).

I think this may be more of a Realtek driver/software issue rather than a hardware problem. I mean, why does the audio work properly when Windows 7 uses the generic HD audio drivers, right?

Any input or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

ps.
Can I just use the generic Windows 7 HD audio drivers instead for my day to day computing if the sound output working properly? Or is it absolutely necessary to install the Realtek HD audio drivers? Does the Realtek version offer any advantages over the generic HD audio drivers?

 

[dma0991]

If there are any benefits to Realtek's drivers is that it adds features that the W7 drivers might not. From one person's ear to another it might be an added benefit but I find it to be more of a hindrance. The virtual surround features that my Realtek ALC898 adds has very unnatural sounds. The volume isn't great either.

In the long run, its better to get an actual sound card, Asus makes good ones. I got a DAC for my headphones and its USB plug and play. The generic W7 drivers will work just fine without issues.

 

[PClark99]

I have the same motherboard as you. It worked great for a couple days and then the audio died. It still detects the drivers and shows that the sound should be working but it doesn't. The audio jack does feel weird when I plug in the speakers. It definitely is a defective audio jack. I am in the process of RMA. You might as well go that route too.

I like the board otherwise.

 

[IBJanky]

If there are any benefits to Realtek's drivers is that it adds features that the W7 drivers might not. From one person's ear to another it might be an added benefit but I find it to be more of a hindrance. The virtual surround features that my Realtek ALC898 adds has very unnatural sounds. The volume isn't great either.

In the long run, its better to get an actual sound card, Asus makes good ones. I got a DAC for my headphones and its USB plug and play. The generic W7 drivers will work just fine without issues.

I dont care much for fancy features. I would never use them. I'm not an audiophile or anything, I just like stuff to work. I would mostly listen to MP3s, and watch YouTube videos. I'm not a big gamer either.

The computer will be used mostly for everyday stuff (Internet, email, MS Office, etc.)

So should I be safe just running the generic Windows HD audio driver? I'd prefer not buying a separate sound card if I don't have to.

 

[IBJanky]

I have the same motherboard as you. It worked great for a couple days and then the audio died. It still detects the drivers and shows that the sound should be working but it doesn't. The audio jack does feel weird when I plug in the speakers. It definitely is a defective audio jack. I am in the process of RMA. You might as well go that route too.

I like the board otherwise.

I'm not sure if you read my initial post, but I only experience the sound issues when I have the Realtek HD audio drivers installed. If I uninstall the Realtek drivers and go with the generic Windows audio drivers, then there are no issues with the sound at all. That leaves me to believe that the audio jack is fine and the problem is software/driver related.

I want to like the motherboard too, it's just really starting to frustrate me. I'm almost to the point where I'm ready to drive back to the store and get it replaced for another motherboard from a different manufacturer (Gigabyte maybe?)

 

[dma0991]

So should I be safe just running the generic Windows HD audio driver?

Yes, you're safe. In fact, I don't have any audio drivers installed currently.

 

[SolMiester]

It must be a bad batch of boards, I have 2 of these both with the Realtek drivers 18/10/2011 6.0.4.6482 and dont have any of those issues!
PS: have you tried the non-k OC yet, its wicked, have the same 3470 running at 4Ghz...

 

[IBJanky]

It must be a bad batch of boards, I have 2 of these both with the Realtek drivers 18/10/2011 6.0.4.6482 and dont have any of those issues!
PS: have you tried the non-k OC yet, its wicked, have the same 3470 running at 4Ghz...

That's a possibility too, but there's really no way to be certain unless I try every board they have at the store until I get a properly working one, lol.

 

[PClark99]

I'm not sure if you read my initial post, but I only experience the sound issues when I have the Realtek HD audio drivers installed. If I uninstall the Realtek drivers and go with the generic Windows audio drivers, then there are no issues with the sound at all. That leaves me to believe that the audio jack is fine and the problem is software/driver related.

I want to like the motherboard too, it's just really starting to frustrate me. I'm almost to the point where I'm ready to drive back to the store and get it replaced for another motherboard from a different manufacturer (Gigabyte maybe?)

I failed reading comprehension.