I just did a fresh build with Ramp III Gene, i7 950, 12gb Mushkin enhanced, PNY 9600gso, WD black 750gb, Win7 64-bit. Everything is at stock settings and as soon as i installed audio drivers its like the sound will go into standby after a few mins of no sound playing then makes a low volume pop noise. Then the next thing you do that has sound it will first make a loud pop then play the sound like normal. If i have constant sound it seems to work fine.

I have tried both VIA Audio Driver V6.0.1.8500 and .8400 version from the website with no change. Also tried with my front case audio headers hooked up and unplugged with no change. I have tried headphones and my normal bookshelf speakers running through a receiver with no change. This popping noise is very annoying and one of the reasons I specifically chose this board was the onboard x-fi.