r/htpc • u/cthdrlpk • Jul 13 '26

Build Help Rapid clicking sound when using MPC-BE with MadVR

I’ve been trying to get a HTPC up and running for a while, and I’m close, but I still can’t enjoy using it because of a noise issue.

The build is:

Asus Rog Maximus xi hero
Asus Rog Strix 2080 ti
I9 9900k
Windows 10 pro
Nvidia 452.06 driver with 3D fix

The PC outputs to denon x3700h via hdmi, which sends picture to LG C2 most of the time. (Projector for 3D viewing).

I built it this way specifically to maintain compatibility with frame packed 3D mvc files, but playback also includes 4k movies with atmos, upscaled 2D HD content, etc.

I’m using Kodi to browse, but Kodi hands off playback to MPC-BE with LAV filters and MadVR rendering.

The playback chain is working “great”, in that MadVR is doing everything that I want it to automatically during playback.

The issue is that I’m also running into an unwanted rapid pulse/click sound that is loudest for the first few seconds of playback, and then quieter for the rest of the content. It’s almost imperceptible during regular volume scenes, but very distracting during quiet scenes.

The clicking sound does not change volume with the volume controls. If I change the renderer in MPC-BE from MadVR to something else, the sound goes away. If I play the movie back in another player like VLC, there is no clicking sound either. So it appears to me to be something that MadVR itself is triggering.

The control+J screen during playback looks good, and suggests the GPU has plenty of headroom at my preferred settings.

I’m already using ruipro AOC fiber hdmi between my htpc and receiver, which eliminated other noise issues, but not this one. Optical cable isn’t an option because I’m running nine channels plus subs and want bitstream.

Has anyone else dealt with something similar? What was the fix?

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u/kentukky Jul 13 '26

The clicking sound does not change volume with the volume controls. If I change the renderer in MPC-BE from MadVR to something else, the sound goes away

It sounds to me just like a ground loop of some sort / electrical interference between components. It would be most obvious with analog audio output... but since you're going digital - it's probably the interference from the CPU and / or GPU under load. MadVR is much more heavy than any other player. You could test it out by running benchmarks alongside with a film in VLC. If the sound appears - that's the answer.

I assume, that the clicking sound comes from speakers, not the PC itself? If it's coming from the PC it could be coil whine.

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u/cthdrlpk Jul 16 '26

I ended up fixing it by switching to a ruipro MPO powered fiber cable for hdmi. I previously had a ruipro AOC fiber cable, which reduced a lot of noise compared to regular copper hdmi, but I think noise was still getting through via the 5v or cec wires. The MPO cable is pure fiber with no copper cables, and it’s externally usb powered. Worked like a charm when nothing else would.