Couldn't find a tech support area so I'm hoping this is the right place.

Riddle me this: When I'm NOT playing SWTOR my laptop (Inspiron 15 gaming 7567, Windows 10, 64 bit), the sound will crackle in my headphones/speakers/etc but not the internal speakers. Drivers are up to date, even downgraded from Realtek. I had it RMA'd where they replaced the laptop's mobo, speakers, heatsink, and fans.

The crackle's "rhythm" sounds like a hiccup or a heartbeat: high crackle followed by a low crackle in the span of half a second. I've tried alternate power strips and outlets, but to no avail. It happens in sets of 2 or 3 and occurs randomly. Anywhere between 1 minute to 10 minutes.

So why am I bringing it up here? When I AM playing SWTOR, I'll maybe hear a crackle if a cutscene is playing. Otherwise, the crackle hiccup/heartbeat of it is gone as long as I play my game. I find that mysterious and inexplicable since it should be the reverse, normally. I'm hoping someone has an answer, because I looked everywhere and can't find anything.

Thanks in advance.

https://www.dell.com/community/Laptops-General/Speakers-popping-on-Inspiron-15-7567/td-p/5155483