ALC 4080 random static noise UPDATED!

[Rocket_Scientis]

UPDATE 3:
Ok. So I've repro static noise using ASUS Dual Intelligent Processors 5 like Sasha did in his video. If you can't repro, try to use different songs, higher volume level and higher samping rate e.g. 192000 Hz and 24 Bit.
Audio track in my video: Metallica - Sad But True.
Volume level: 20%.
Speakers: EDIFIER R2750DB (line 1 RCA) and rear Realtek audio out (lime).
Also there is same weird sound cuts when I switching AI Cooling toggle and my mouse hangs sometimes for a second and not reacting (tried with SteelSeries Sensei Ten and ASUS ROG STRIX Evolve). When static sound plays you can see how volume slider is being slightly unresponsive, it's lagging when I change volume.
No errors, same behaviour with BIOS optimized default settings, different BIOS versions and even on clean Win 10 installation without Realtek driver (with Microsoft default audio driver).
This sound issue can occurs everywhere. Dual Intelligent Processors 5 - it's just the fastest way to repro this issue.
Imagine what people feel when this crap happens suddenly at the high volume when people don't expecting this at all
Video:


UPDATE 2:

Today I caught this hiss in the BIOS.
I don't know how to reproduce it in Windows but I know how to trigger this static sound via analog outputs in the BIOS.
Here's how to reproduce it:

1. Change your CPU vcore voltage in the BIOS to any value which will get you BSOD under stress. Unstable overclock or unstable undervolt, doesn't matter.
2. Set this voltage and launch something like Cinebench R23 or any stress load to get BSOD.
3. When you will see BSOD screen - use reset button on your chassis or motherboard (don't wait while Windows will reset PC, reset it manually).
4. Enter the BIOS and static sound will be there. It will be more quiet than regular sudden static noise in Windows but you can hear it via analog outputs and it will have the same character, until you exit the BIOS and start Windows boot.

P.S. if this won't work for you, try to reproduce it again with chassis front panel audio output.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ81fs330DY

One more method how to catch it under Windows (might take some time) from another 13 Apex owner using Dual Intelligent Processors 5 app (there is also weird sound cuts when he switching AI Cooling toggle, I suspect this is not normal too). 5.1 speakers, 192000Hz 32Bit, analog.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14PV2ftGUVw

UPDATE:

Igor's Lab digging this problem with analog static noise and cuts out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cryOdl4e_2M

Long story short:

Now we come to the actual problem, namely the dropouts, sporadic volume changes and even a (rather rare) unmotivated "pop" when the volume control is set above 50%. Here I have used my manufacturer contacts and asked directly to the producers and their development departments. If you believe the first findings of the FAE (Field Application Engineer) involved everywhere, the problem even lies outside the audio chip, namely in the MCU (Micro Controller Unit), which is responsible for the RGB effects of the individual components.

English article https://www.igorslab.de/en/realtek-alc-4080-with-sound-cuts-and-noise-random-noise-also-on-analog-li...

ORIGINAL POST

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Asus Maximus XIII Apex onboard ALC 4080 audio codec makes static noise over front or rear analog audio outputs.
Happens absolutely random and unpredictable. When I rewind videos on YouTube or rewind\change audio tracks in music player but never in games. Usually once a day.
Asus support insist this is a faulty motherboard and recommend to RMA board to local seller but I saw few messages from Rog Strix Z590-F and Z590-E owners who have exactly the same issue (since these boards have ALC 4080 codec too). Some owners encounter exactly the same analog outputs issue with other vendors ALC4080 motherboards (Gigabyte\Aorus\MSI).
Realtek audio drivers uninstall does nothing, static noise randomly repeats. SPDIF firmware for ALC 4080\4082 is applied. I never had this issue over SPDIF by the way.
Any ideas what else to try?

Static noise example (if video doesn't work here, open it on YouTube):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8K5UJWwIxA8

Fresh Windows 10 install (latest updates).
i7 11700K
ASUS ROG MAXIMUS XIII APEX
G.SKILL F4-4000C19D-16GTZKW
Gigabyte GTX 1660 Super Gaming OC
EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 P2

Reddit reports from Gigabyte\Aorus mobos owners with ALC4080 related to analog outputs static noise:
https://www.reddit.com/r/gigabyte/comments/onsltc/intermittent_sound_problem_on_z590_ultra/
https://www.reddit.com/r/gigabyte/comments/mrsi0z/z590_alc4080_static_audio/

YouTube videos:
Another ASUS Z590 Maximus XIII Apex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiMFy8PxMqA
MSI Z590 Carbon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbfINusobRo&lc=

[Nuckels]

Zardoc wrote:
From reading this thread, the only question that I'm asking myself is, should I try to repro this or more like is ASUS taking notice of this thread and trying every which way possible to repro this issue?

Because, repro or not, I will not by nor will I recommend another board with this sound chip as long as we don't get to the bottom of this problem.

This is a deeply hidden issue that users might go for months without any problem and then suddenly get hit depending on the use of the board. This is not to be ignored and needs attention from Asus but not only Asus but all board makers using this codec.

https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?125652-Fed-up-with-the-ROG-STRIX-Z590-E-GAMING-WIFI-audio-...

I have this thread going where someone from Asus is forward things, not sure how much it's doing but feel free to weigh in there because I am fed up with this ****.

[Zardoc]

Did you guys write here: ACI-CEO_Feedback@asus.com
How are we doing? Let us know by emailing our Director of Service for North America at Tony_Han@asus.com or our Senior Manager of Service Quality at Jennifer_Stover@asus.com
ASUS Support Contact Our CEO's office: 1-800-746-8589

[Rocket_Scientis]

Zardoc wrote:
Did you guys write here: ACI-CEO_Feedback@asus.com
How are we doing? Let us know by emailing our Director of Service for North America at Tony_Han@asus.com or our Senior Manager of Service Quality at Jennifer_Stover@asus.com
ASUS Support Contact Our CEO's office: 1-800-746-8589

I've just sent a link to this thread with message to all 3 contacts.
Can someone do the same? Just in case.

[Zardoc]

Give it a day. If no reply, post here and I will follow suit.
We want results not harassment (doesn't get anyone anywhere, so I suggest keeping it civil and we will see. 😉

[Rocket_Scientis]

Zardoc wrote:
Give it a day. If no reply, post here and I will follow suit.
We want results not harassment (doesn't get anyone anywhere, so I suggest keeping it civil and we will see. 😉

No reply from any of them.

[Nuckels]

They released a new driver, haven't had it happen yet fingers crossed.

[Rocket_Scientis]

Nuckels wrote:
They released a new driver, haven't had it happen yet fingers crossed.

You can quickly repro this using Dual Intelligent Processors 5. Download and launch AI Suite 3 -> Fan Xpret -> Asus AI cooling toggle. Like in video:

And you will find out the answer in 10 min. To be honest I doubt this can be fixed just by new driver (since this thing can happen in the BIOS and under non Windows OS). At least updated firmware required.

[iisd]

Yeah, but maybe they can fix the multiple other problems with a driver update.
But it seems they dont give a crap about any of the issues. They just hope they can sit it out and have turned cricket mode on.
They can do that easily, because the media is still not reporting about the issues with this chip, until someone sues them for causing tinnitus or hearing loss because of this sudden and repeated loud static.

In any case, the Z590 platform generally is the worst Intel platform Ive ever bought, and Ive bought and built PCs since the early 90s.
Ill be relieved once Im rid of it.

[Rocket_Scientis]

iisd wrote:
Yeah, but maybe they can fix the multiple other problems with a driver update.
But it seems they dont give a crap about any of the issues. They just hope they can sit it out and have turned cricket mode on.
They can do that easily, because the media is still not reporting about the issues with this chip, until someone sues them for causing tinnitus or hearing loss because of this sudden and repeated loud static.

In any case, the Z590 platform generally is the worst Intel platform Ive ever bought, and Ive bought and built PCs since the early 90s.
Ill be relieved once Im rid of it.

He already replied in his own started thread that he had static sound with latest drivers. So, as I said it it requires more than driver update since problem is at firmware or faulty hardware components level.

One more video (in chinese). As far as I understood RGB turning off helps with static sound only if mobo have physical RGB switch (like some MSI mobos have) or just a bad translate.

[iisd]

Rocket Scientist wrote:
He already replied in his own started thread that he had static sound with latest drivers. So, as I said it it requires more than driver update since problem is at firmware or faulty hardware components level.

One more video (in chinese). As far as I understood RGB turning off helps with static sound only if mobo have physical RGB switch (like some MSI mobos have) or just a bad translate.

I am talking about the other issues like slow boot, playback delay with wav files or crappy noisegate.

I had an MSI board with physical switch. Never turned RGB on in the first place, and still regularly got that loud static sound. So thats not true.
The issue with this problem is that people think its fixed or doesnt exist, because they dont have it for weeks. But then suddenly it happens again.
I use my PC every day 12 hours or more and only experience it maybe 2 to 4 times a month. So to be sure its been fixed, you need to test it at least a month, if you dont use the method you found out with Asus AI software. But telling MSI or Gigabyte to use Asus software is kinda funny.
Its still bad enough, because of the shock moment and very loud sudden noise. I stopped using headphones just because of that.