Intel 8x0, ALSA and 2.6 Kernel

[Celtis]

I've installed the 2.6 kernel (worth the effort if you ask me) and the only thing holding me back from using it fully is some minor(-ish) problems with sound.

I've got an Intel 8x0 chipset (AC '97), and have ALSA compiled as a module. I can run ALSAPlayer, mp3blaster and XMMS all OK but the problem is that as soon as I run anything else (even emerge sync) the sound stutters and crackles until you pause or stop it. If you start it again it works fine until the next time the system is busy.

Normally I'd say that I need to upgrade my PC but it's a 2.7gHz P4 with 1Gb ram so I'm not convinced that it's hardware based.

If anyone has any suggestions, thinks that I should post a specific file or ANYTHING I would appreciate it as I'm getting desperate now.