HP Envy 15 (i9, 32 GB RAM, RTX 2060) terrible latency with external sound card

[TanelTanna]

Hello,

I have never been able to get my external sound card (NI Komplete Audio 6) to work on my HP Envy 15, will give this a final shot here. It is connected via USB, tried all options and different cables - straight in, through a powered HUB and with a converter into USB-C port. The performance has unacceptable latency, the sound has stutters, clicks, pops, simply does not work. I have gone through all the check lists of NI for the most common audio issues (power options, min/max CPU state, USB suspend settings) with nothing having an effect on it.

CPU throttling is something LatencyMon suggests, but I guess this option is not present in the BIOS for HP computers?

Any help appreciated greatly, Tanel.

[Raj_05]

Hi @TanelTanna,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Experiencing latency issues with an external sound card on your HP Envy 15 (i9, 32 GB RAM, RTX 2060) can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem. Latency issues can occur for a variety of reasons, and it's important to pinpoint the specific cause before attempting to fix it. Here are some steps you can follow.

• Update Drivers: Ensure that all drivers for your external sound card, graphics card (RTX 2060), and motherboard are up to date. Outdated drivers can often lead to latency problems.
• Adjust Buffer Size: Most audio interfaces and external sound cards allow you to adjust the buffer size. A smaller buffer size can reduce latency but may increase the risk of audio glitches. Experiment with different buffer size settings to find a balance between low latency and stable performance.
• USB Port: Make sure you are connecting your external sound card to a USB port that supports the necessary bandwidth for audio processing. Some USB ports on laptops may be shared with other devices, which can affect performance.
• Performance Mode: Ensure that your laptop is in high-performance mode, as this can help reduce latency by maximizing system resources.
• Background Applications: Close unnecessary background applications and processes that may be using CPU resources. This can help free up system resources for audio processing.
• Sample Rate and Bit Depth: Ensure that the sample rate and bit depth settings in your audio software match the settings of your external sound card. Mismatched settings can cause latency and compatibility issues.
• Latency Settings: Check the settings in your audio software for any latency compensation options or low-latency modes. Enable these options if available.
• Firmware Update: Check if there is a firmware update available for your external sound card. Manufacturers sometimes release updates to improve performance and compatibility.
• Audio Interface Quality: Consider the quality of your external sound card. Higher-end models often have better drivers and lower latency performance. If your current sound card is a budget model, upgrading to a more professional-grade interface may help.
• ASIO Drivers: If your external sound card supports ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) drivers, use them. ASIO drivers are known for their low-latency performance and are commonly used by professional audio applications.
• DPC Latency: Check for DPC (Deferred Procedure Call) latency issues on your system using tools like LatencyMon. High DPC latency can lead to audio problems.
• Testing Different Software: Try using different audio software to see if the latency issue persists across multiple applications. Sometimes, the problem may be specific to one software.
• External Factors: Check if there are any external factors, such as other USB devices or Wi-Fi interference, that could be affecting your system's performance.

If you've tried these steps and are still experiencing latency issues, it's possible that your laptop's hardware configuration may not be optimized for low-latency audio performance.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4
HP Support 

[The_Fossette]

jHi @TanelTanna,

Welcome to HP Support Community.  

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Experiencing latency issues with an external sound card on your HP Envy 15 (i9, 32 GB RAM, RTX 2060) can be frustrating, but there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem. Latency issues can occur for a variety of reasons, and it's important to pinpoint the specific cause before attempting to fix it. Here are some steps you can follow.

• Update Drivers: Ensure that all drivers for your external sound card, graphics card (RTX 2060), and motherboard are up to date. Outdated drivers can often lead to latency problems.
• Adjust Buffer Size: Most audio interfaces and external sound cards allow you to adjust the buffer size. A smaller buffer size can reduce latency but may increase the risk of audio glitches. Experiment with different buffer size settings to find a balance between low latency and stable performance.
• USB Port: Make sure you are connecting your external sound card to a USB port that supports the necessary bandwidth for audio processing. Some USB ports on laptops may be shared with other devices, which can affect performance.
• Performance Mode: Ensure that your laptop is in high-performance mode, as this can help reduce latency by maximizing system resources.
• Background Applications: Close unnecessary background applications and processes that may be using CPU resources. This can help free up system resources for audio processing.
• Sample Rate and Bit Depth: Ensure that the sample rate and bit depth settings in your audio software match the settings of your external sound card. Mismatched settings can cause latency and compatibility issues.
• Latency Settings: Check the settings in your audio software for any latency compensation options or low-latency modes. Enable these options if available.
• Firmware Update: Check if there is a firmware update available for your external sound card. Manufacturers sometimes release updates to improve performance and compatibility.
• Audio Interface Quality: Consider the quality of your external sound card. Higher-end models often have better drivers and lower latency performance. If your current sound card is a budget model, upgrading to a more professional-grade interface may help.
• ASIO Drivers: If your external sound card supports ASIO (Audio Stream Input/Output) drivers, use them. ASIO drivers are known for their low-latency performance and are commonly used by professional audio applications.
• DPC Latency: Check for DPC (Deferred Procedure Call) latency issues on your system using tools like LatencyMon. High DPC latency can lead to audio problems.
• Testing Different Software: Try using different audio software to see if the latency issue persists across multiple applications. Sometimes, the problem may be specific to one software.
• External Factors: Check if there are any external factors, such as other USB devices or Wi-Fi interference, that could be affecting your system's performance.

If you've tried these steps and are still experiencing latency issues, it's possible that your laptop's hardware configuration may not be optimized for low-latency audio performance.

I hope this helps. 
 

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4
HP Support