Whenever I burn a disc or read heavily (such as for an installation) it distorts my sound. It's not just the music playing, but anything windows makes (such as an error noise or whatever). It only happens when I burn or read heavily, and it happens every time. It's happened with the same burner on 2 computers, then trying a different burner on my second computer it still does it, albeit not as bad. This one I'm on now should have no issues at all, but it does. It doesn't happen on anyone else's computer that I know, so it's not a common thing. This new one has 2mb cache from what I read online, and the one I had before I think has 2mb (but it doesn't say, and the website doesn't have it specifically). What would cause this, and how could I fix it?

It's actually alot more common then you'd think

It's normally related to drivers for the onboard sound (it rarely happens with Creative Audigy series).

It has been known to occur with dodgy IDE cables. Get a nice ATA100/133 IDE cable and give it a shot.

With an Intel D945GPM, do I have other options for integrated sound than what Intel provides? I'm almost sure it's not the IDE cable, it supports 133 and it sure cost enough (it wasn't the stock stuff that comes with the drive).

Would purchasing a non-integrated sound card remedy my problem?

Yes that could make a difference, but I'm not sure about it.

Any suggestions on improving what I have now, or am I just stuck with the sound?

If you still have the standard IDE cables, give 'em a try - it only takes a couple of minutes...and it defiantely cuts ito ut of the equation.

Having another sound card that is not intergrated will almost definately resolve this issue. Almost.