RX580 Audio interference

[mattspace]

So, anyone else getting hum from speakers connected to their 4,1 or 5,1 when doing graphical things since installing the RX580?

By which I mean, when I quicklook an image in finder, I have a buzz coming from the attached speakers while the image is opening out, or in Aperture, the speakers hum while moving an adjustment slider.

It could be that I'm only hearing it because I've got a bunch of different devices going into a passive audio mixer (belkin rockstar) and out to the one set of speakers, but it's definitely a post-RX580 behaviour.

 

[bsbeamer]

Yes! Noticed this with the Sapphire PULSE RX 580 8GB yesterday when I was testing the card. Thought was a loose cable to speaker or from the machine and just ignored for the time being. But with the NVIDIA GTX 1080 FE back in the authentic 5,1 there is no buzz/humm present from the machine output at all. Was on my troubleshoot list when trying the card again next week.

 

[mattspace]

Yes! Noticed this with the Sapphire PULSE RX 580 8GB yesterday.

...good? heh, at least it's not just me

 

[h9826790]

Via the cMP audio line out?

 

[bsbeamer]

...good? heh, at least it's not just me

Not exactly "good" but almost thought I was going crazy when testing this card yesterday and tried to ignore the audio issue. Had clearance issues with the card in slot 2 and focused on tackling that first.

Via the cMP audio line out?

Yes, via analog 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo connector at the rear of the machine. Did not test via optical connection, but that would have been my first place to troubleshoot. Second would be to test the front panel headphone 1/8" (3.5mm) stereo connection.

Absolutely no issues right now with the same exact audio connections and setup with GTX 1080 FE.

 

[AliGT83]

I have the Pulse RX580 8GB and a 28" 4k display connected via DisplayPort. My speakers are Bowers & Wilkings M-1 connected via USB. No humming whatsoever. I use photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premier and FCP on a daily basis.

 

[mattspace]

Via the cMP audio line out?

yeah, literally a buzz that happens as long as you're moving a slider in Aperture, and stops the instant you pause.

 

[h9826790]

So, both of you...

1) using the PULSE RX580
2) installed that in slot 1
3) using dual mini 6pin to single 8pin
4) using the 3.5mm audio line out
5) running latest 10.13.6

Is that correct?

Any other GPU co-installed?
Single or multi monitor setup?
HDMI / DP connection?

Also, if the above 1-5 is not correct, which one? And what’s your actual config?

I just want to know if there is any specific condition to trigger this bug.
[doublepost=1535637508][/doublepost]

I have the Pulse RX580 8GB and a 28" 4k display connected via DisplayPort. My speakers are Bowers & Wilkings M-1 connected via USB. No humming whatsoever. I use photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premier and FCP on a daily basis.

So USB speakers seems not affected. I expect no intereference will be experienced on the optical output as well.

 

[bsbeamer]

So, both of you...

1) using the PULSE RX580
2) installed that in slot 1
3) using dual mini 6pin to single 8pin
4) using the 3.5mm audio line out
5) running latest 10.13.6

Is that correct?

Any other GPU co-installed?
Single or multi monitor setup?
HDMI / DP connection?

Also, if the above 1-5 is not correct, which one? And what’s your actual config?

1 = Yes, Sapphire PULSE RX 580 8GB version (part # 11265-05-20G, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ6FMF8)
2 = Yes, installed in slot 1
3 = Yes, dual mini 6-pin to single 8-pin power cable (same as GTX 1080 FE)
4 = Yes, using the rear 3.5mm audio out
5 = Yes, latest 10.13.6 build 17G65

No other GPU installed. (Removed the GTX 1080 FE from the system.)

Single monitor for this test. Apple Cinema Display 27" LCD via DisplayPort to MiniDisplayPort adapter in the first available port on GPU. (Currently using this same monitor and adapter with GTX 1080 FE without issues.)

Identical setup, but replacing RX580 with GTX1080 and there are no audio issues at all.

Also assume optical audio would be fine.

 

[bookemdano]

I'll test this on mine today--I have the same card in Slot 1 with the dual cable but have had headphones connected on the front panel. Haven't noticed any static/distortion but will listen closer today and also try the rear line-out. I can test both 10.13.6 and Mojave PB9.

 

[mattspace]

So, both of you...

1) using the PULSE RX580
2) installed that in slot 1
3) using dual mini 6pin to single 8pin
4) using the 3.5mm audio line out
5) running latest 10.13.6

yes
yes
yes
yes
no 10.12.6

One 1920x1200 display in the DVI port, one 1920x1200 display in mDP -> DVI adapter.

 

[crjackson2134]

Tested here. I have a Amp / Speaker system connected to the line out, and turned up volume to max...

No hum when quick viewing. I don't have aperture installed, so I can't check that one.

 

[bsbeamer]

Tested here. I have a Amp / Speaker system connected to the line out, and turned up volume to max...

No hum when quick viewing. I don't have aperture installed, so I can't check that one.

Thanks for the test. Just to confirm, this was using the rear 3.5mm jack in 10.13.6?

 

[crjackson2134]

Thanks for the test. Just to confirm, this was using the rear 3.5mm jack in 10.13.6?

Correct.

 

[bsbeamer]

@mattspace - what GPU did you have installed before the RX 580? Did you have NVIDIA Web Drivers installed? Looking for a common theme.

 

[handheldgames]

Sounds like a grounding issue or perhaps a capacitor going bad somewhere. Any noise from other subsystems, such as SATA?

 

[crjackson2134]

Sounds like a grounding issue or perhaps a capacitor going bad somewhere. Any noise from other subsystems, such as SATA?

I started to say nearly the exact same thing. A grounding issue...

 

[bsbeamer]

I actually think it's an issue with this RX580 card itself. Heard it at first but tried to ignore. Same exact setup of everything with GTX 1080 FE before/after and there was no audio issue. Swap in RX580 and there was an audio issue. Will test again next week.

 

[mattspace]

@mattspace - what GPU did you have installed before the RX 580? Did you have NVIDIA Web Drivers installed? Looking for a common theme.

Prior to the RX580, was a GT120, but no web drivers. For anyone without Aperture, try quicklooking an image in finder, I hear it during the zoom open and zoom closed.

It is very faint though at some times. Plugging the audio out directly to the speakers, rather than through a multi in/out adapter doesn't seem to make a difference.

 

[bookemdano]

I tested today under 10.13.6 and Mojave PB9. Tried the headphone jack up front as well as the line-out in back. Tried all volume levels from 0-100. I don't have Aperture installed so I did quicklook of about two dozen images and listened very carefully.

Never heard any kind of static, buzz, interference, nothing.

So I'd say it's an issue with your specific card or your environment. Might be a good troubleshooting step to yank out all extra drives and cards other than your boot drive and the RX 580 and make a direct connection from the line-out to your speakers (also, try a pair of headphones instead of the speakers to see if the buzz remains).

 

[mattspace]

So I'd say it's an issue with your specific card or your environment.

wouldn't surprise me - i might just get a little ground / isolator box and put it inline between the mac and the audio mixer.

I've wondered if just getting a UPS and plugging all the gear in through that would just be a good idea to condition the power input for everything plugged into the Mac.

 

[crjackson2134]

I've wondered if just getting a UPS and plugging all the gear in through that would just be a good idea to condition the power input for everything plugged into the Mac.

That’s ALWAYS a good idea, and seriously improves the stability of your system as a whole. I’ve been doing that since the ‘80s (MUCH more expensive back then).

 

[h9826790]

That’s ALWAYS a good idea, and seriously improves the stability of your system as a whole. I’ve been doing that since the ‘80s (MUCH more expensive back then).

I have a surge protected power strip. That provide some conditioning function as well. May be it make the difference and why no intereference on my setup.

I am now running a PULSE RX580 8GB in slot 1 (single GPU), latest 10.13.6, single monitor (DP connection), a pair of powered Sony speaker directly connected to the 3.5mm audio output.

 

[bsbeamer]

I’m running a UPS with SineWave line conditioner and was getting the issue. Believe it’s an internal issue with this specific card or this batch/lot of them.

 

[TinyWorkshop]

mine Harman kardon speakers (the old transparent) doesn't have such a problem.

maybe a non shielded cable