CPU speed VS. Sound quality

[nuance]

Would it be possibe for the sound quality of music on a PC be affected by how many programs are running? Pretty vague question I know, but some times when I play mp3s from WMP to my reciever via a digital coax, the sound is very wavy; the volume fluctuates and is very annoying, so much sometimes I have to turn it off. I'm listening to it now and it sounds fine, so what the hell

 

[Seth=L]

When I use Winamp it does this when the EQ is activated. I can run multiple programs at once with no adverse affects to my SQ, it is only when I use the EQ or some DSP.

 

[avaserfi]

I am pretty sure the only reason CPU power comes into play in regards to sound quality is if your CPU does not have enough power to run everything concurrently. If this is the case the music most likely would not sound wavey but would skip and pause while the CUP caught up.

 

[rumble]

What is your cpu speed and what version of windows are you running?

 

[Seth=L]

I am pretty sure the only reason CPU power comes into play in regards to sound quality is if your CPU does not have enough power to run everything concurrently. If this is the case the music most likely would not sound wavey but would skip and pause while the CUP caught up.

This is true, it would not vary in sound level or sound "wavy", It would skip when you run out of processing power.

 

[MDS]

If the CPU load is very high there can be a slight delay moving data between the sound card and memory and that would result in dropouts or skipping.

If the sound is 'wavy' the pitch must be changing and the only way that would happen is if either the card or the player is doing real-time calculations to modify the sound, like EQ.

 

[Seth=L]

If the CPU load is very high there can be a slight delay moving data between the sound card and memory and that would result in dropouts or skipping.

If the sound is 'wavy' the pitch must be changing and the only way that would happen is if either the card or the player is doing real-time calculations to modify the sound, like EQ.

That was your 3,333 post, congratulations MDS.(not sarcasm)

It could also depend on what media player is used, try using different players and see if that yields different results.

 

[avaserfi]

You could also try to simply run less programs and see if they changes the situation. If it does then you know your answer. Just try playing with it ie different music programs, no other programs running while you play your music. Also, try keeping the eq on and off.

See if you can notice any differences that is the only way you will get a definitive answer.

 

[nuance]

thanks for all the replys. I think the problem was the EQ in WMP. I turned it off and it seemed to fix it. but I'll see my 'puter is realy starting to get on my nerves and always finds some way to anoy me. Thanks guys

 

[Seth=L]

thanks for all the replys. I think the problem was the EQ in WMP. I turned it off and it seemed to fix it. but I'll see my 'puter is realy starting to get on my nerves and always finds some way to anoy me. Thanks guys

What does the computer have in it? i.e. Processor, sound card, video, RAM....etc

 

[Warpdrv]

I would put it more likely in the department of how much ram you would have, or how many processes are running around in the background....

I have one of my Terabyte servers running on a Pentium3 800mhz cpu, but it has 1 gig of ram... I regularly stream 2 movies at a time from that server, to 2 out of 3 of my Modded Xbox's.. hooked up to 2 different plasma's.
So thoughput is not an issue at all... nor processing speed, as that thing is a slower then dirt processor, but it does its job just fine, running winxp.

Also check what processes are going on in the background. I usually totally wipe my system after 1 year or sometimes less, to clean that eroneous junk that builds up over time...
I make an image of my OS hard drive, and it literally reloads windows within 10 mins, back to brand spankin new...

Warp

 

[WorldLeader]

Fools! You slave in the windows world too long.

Just give a Mac a chance, and you might just find happiness.

 

[Seth=L]

Fools! You slave in the windows world too long.

Just give a Mac a chance, and you might just find happiness.

Or just get Linux for you PC.

 

[lcdguy]

by sound quality do you mean the actual quailty of the sound or does just stutter. Also what kind of soundcard do you have. If you want my recommendation (but no one ever really does) don't get a creative card. Invest in something from auzentech. especially for a site of this content.

My current pc - stereo setup

Auzentech X-Meridian connected to my reciever bya fiber optic cable.

The other reason that i would recommend this chip is becuase it uses the new CMI Oxygen Codec. You may also ask why you would spend almost 200 bucks on this card when teh creative x-fi looks better well there a couple of reasons.

1. This card Upmix ANY audio stream into either DD or DTS (yes even your windows sounds can be surround)
2. It has replaceable OP AMP chips for the analogue sound part
3. It can also output a 7.1 channel singnal at 192 Khz (funny part is my reciever maxes out at 96)

Also try using a media player that doesn't suck back the resources like foobar2000 or vlc.