High CPU usage causes Sound problems

NikolaG · 04 Jun 2018

Hi
I don't know if I'm posting this question in right section, so I apologize to moderators in advance.
I've installed Windows 10 on this laptop and I'm having sound issues. When I boot up Windows sound is fine, however after an hour is starts getting crackling and clipping noises. At the same time CPU usage jumps from 1-3% to 25% at idle.

High CPU usage causes Sound problems-capture1.png

I ran LatencyMon and it says that ACPI Driver is causing problem.

High CPU usage causes Sound problems-screenshot-6-.png

I tried disabling CPU throttling in Control Panel, ACPI-Compliant Control in Device Manager, and updating drivers.
Any advice? Thanks for help.

dalchina · 05 Jun 2018

Hi, I'm not an expert on LatencyMon- but have used it briefly and seen a number of posts here related to 'stutter' (feel free to search the forum for those).

One approach is to end up using an OLDER driver, once you've identified the relevant one. However, the cause of DPC latency may be obscure. (See posts).

Here are some interesting items related to LatencyMon which may help which I posted recently (I searched for
latencymon help
)
Optimising Windows Computers For Audio Audient Help Desk
- suggests 10 mins, then some practical steps.

https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare...atency-issues/
- example, with a link to 'What is latency'

http://www.resplendence.com/latencymon_using
- their guide and further articles

Windows Tuning Tips for Audio Processing Native Instruments
- starts with specific hardware and moves on to deeper comments

Which OS did it originally come with?

NikolaG · 05 Jun 2018

@dalchina thanks for reply. I'll check the links that you posted.

Laptop originally had Windows 8.1. The thing is that this CPU issue, where usage increases after an hour, was also in Windows 8.1, but it was much lower (around 8%) and it never caused any sound problems.

dalchina · 05 Jun 2018

You may want to consider either what utilities came with the laptop or what's been installed that might cause it.

Compare what happens
a. in Safe Mode
b. after a clean boot

Based on that and further tests you might reach some conclusion.

You can use utilities like Process Explorer to try to identify processes responsible and Autoruns to control startups.
But back up before making changes so you have an easy way to revert.

E.g.
Disk imaging- which everyone should use routinely
System Restore - but can be unreliable
Registry Backup - only if you're confident you know why and how.

NikolaG · 05 Jun 2018

OK, it seams that replacing Realtek audio driver with High Definition Audio driver that comes with Windows resolves audio problem. There's still issue with high CPU, but at least sound doesn't stutter anymore.