Sound Distortion

[AnarchyCow]

Okay, so I played with my EXACT same setup before 2.4.x and had no problems at all =].
Now that 2.4.3 is here, every time I get into game, I have HORRIBLE sound distortion, it gives me a headache just trying to play. Even background (like from iTunes) it seems to slow the sound a lot, and that becomes distorted.
It just seems like every sound is slowed and distorted horribly.

I read that it is a issue with the new Sound Engine they are using for the 2.4.x patch. And looking through wow's official forum, there is no actual OFFICIAL address to this issue, which many people are posting about.

This has got to be the most annoying thing that I have ever had to deal with.

EVERY other game that I have, the sound works PERFECTLY, along with WoW before the 2.4.x patch...

I've tried every fix that I've come across, from doing things in the settings (i've tried WAY to many different setting combinations), and adding the "SET Sound_OutputDriverIndex "1" to the config.wtf.
Nothing is working at all, and this is really starting to make me irritated, to the point of almost leaving WoW...

Here are my specs...
Intel Pentium 4 @ 3.00GHZ
2.00GB DDR2-800 RAM
Nvidia GeForce 8800GT 512mb 256-bit PCIe
Realtek HD Audio (Built in on my EVGA 650i Ultra)
My speakers are Logitech Z-2300 2.1 THX Certified Speakers, I doubt this is the problem, the sound quality from these are AMAZING.
I've even tried my Bose headphones with no difference.

Here is the dxdiag info for my Sound Output.
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Realtek HD Audio output
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0885&SUBSYS_10DE0162&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: RtkHDAud.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5618 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 5/7/2008 19:21:40, 4739072 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 32
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 32
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

Heat is NOT the issue, trust me, I run more graphic intensive stuff than this and my Proc never goes above 50C and my GFX never goes above 55C.

I'm just wondering if there is anyway to fix this, and, if not, if you believe Blizzard will step up to the plate and fix the Sound Engine!

[Erinion]

Have you tried diferent sound configurations in the options menu (turning off hardware sound, changing the number of sound channels)?

The other option could be to buy a soundcard and see if that makes any difference. I switched from exactly the same onboard sound as you to a very cheap creative soundcard and the difference in sound quality was astounding. I would seriously recommend it if you want to get the best out of your speakers.

[AnarchyCow]

Well, I have looked at a few Creative sound cards, and they are cheap, at Office Depot, and I was thinking about getting one, but, I decided that could wait, because, to be honest, I don't know if I will be able to tell the difference, which, I guess I'll be surprised.

I have a $90 rebate check coming in the mail in the next 2-3 weeks, so I guess I'll just hold out till that comes in, since I just got a new PSU because my old ****ty 500W (off-brand) one couldn't handle my 8800GT.

For now, I think I'm just going to try to play with the sound off... Hopefully getting a new sound card will resolve my issue...

If anyone has any ideas on how I can get this to work atm, please, let me know =]

It just makes me wonder why all the sudden, with 2.4.x, the sound crapped out...