Crackling sound when casting certain spells, but...

[Xagoth]

...only in full screen mode.If I go in to windowed mode, sound is crystal clear.Odd thing is, its only a few spells that do it. Spirit of the Wolf, Wailing Haze and the other debuff that Mystics get (name slips my mind at the moment).My sound card is an HT Striker 7.1.I just recently built this computer (about a month ago), so all drivers are up to date except the video (using 80 series driver on my video card because I get the best performance out of it).I tried all variations of the sound driver - EAX 2.0, Dolby and Miles. I tried lowering and raising all the sliders under sound.I tried using onboard sound and oddly enough, instead of crackling, I get stuttering on those spells. EXCEPT while in windowed mode...which again, sounds crystal clear.Anyone know why my sound issues would clear up in windowed mode?Willing to try about anything to get the VERY annoying crackling noise to go away in full screen. EQ2 runs flawlessly other than this issue. And before some smart guy says "well, just run in windowed mode", I don't WANT to run in windowed mode. I prefer full screen.

[Xagoth]

Ok, to update.Reinstalled my chipset drivers and then reinstalled my sound card drivers.Still the same.Tried a PCI latency tool and changed the sound card and video card to various settings.Still the same.I just cant figure out why going in to windowed mode would actually clear up the sound. I was under the impression that windowed mode took more resources, so I would think it would actually be worse.

[TSR-TrevorG]

What is the video settings you have for windowed and full screen?have you /bug this already as well?

[Xagoth]

Both video settings are identical: 1440x900And no I havent /bug'd it yet, will do so next time I log in.

[Fle]

<p>Same problem.</p><p>Any fix found.?</p>

[Xagoth]

<p>Unfortunately what completely fixed it for me was upgrading to an X-Fi sound card (as well as a complete system overhaul).</p><p>But what DID help some before that was lowering the particle effects.</p><p>While experimenting, I had FRAPS running and noticed that when casting certain spells (like the ones I listed) that the framerate would drop about 15 to 20 frames when the spell went off.</p><p>I think the framerate drop was an overall indication of the system bogging down and the result was sound crackling.</p><p>I lowered the particle effect settings (in particular, if I remember correctly, particle size) and notice the crackling ALMOST went away as well a lot less framerate drop.</p>