Multi-Channel Cards

[garystan]

Hi everybody :

I've got a few questions about 5.1 and 7.1 Channel Sound Cards. One : Do I have to have ALL speakers connected ? That is....front,center,subwoofer and rear ? Or, can I just have the front speakers and subwoofer connected ? Two : Diamond and Creative Lab cards will work in PCI or PCIe ? I've got the Gigabyter GA-Z77-DS3H Motherboard, which has one PCIe slot and one PCI x4 slot. I hope I'm not "getting the short end of the stick [to put it politely]" with this configuration on the motherboard. I need to upgrade my audio. My System : Windows 7 Professional 32-bit, 3 Gb RAM, NVidia GeForce 210 w/2 Gb RAM, WD SATA II 500 Gb Hard Drive, 500 Watt PSU, SATA II LG Optical Drive.

garystan

 

[fireberd]

First, you can connect a 2.1 speaker system, for example, to a 5.1 or 7.1 sound card. The integrated audio on your motherboard is at least 5.1. Just set the speaker type, in the Sound/Playback panel for 2.1 (if that is what you have).

Most of the new SoundBlaster cards, e.g. the Xfi series, are all PCIe. There are PCI sound cards, but unless you get a relatively high end card you are not going to get better than the internal. I have a recording studio and do a lot of audio, but I use my recording interface unit (a Roland Octa-Capture) for recording. For other PC audio, I use the built in RealTek that is on my Gigabyte Z77X-UD5H motherboard. I had a high end SoundBlaster Xfi sound card installed but it was conflicting with my recording system so I had to remove it - to be truthful I can't hear any difference between the RealTek and SoundBlaster with my 2.1 speaker system.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I recently install an Asus Xonar Essence STX which uses a PCIe x1 slot (it will work in any PCIe slot, mine is in a x4). If using the optical output, it is capable of up to 5.1 but, using the audio ports, it works with a 2 or 2.1 system. Using those ports, I can hear a definite improvement over the onboard audio on my P9X79 WS MOBO. You do have to have pretty decent speakers to hear the difference.

 

[garystan]

Fireberd :

Thanks for taking time to reply.
I check in the Specs for my Motherboard, and it states : " RealTek ALC887 Codec, High Definition Audio, 2/5.1/7.1 Channel and Support for S/PDIF Out." But, it also states (under the 2/5.1/7.1Channel listing) that "To configure 7.1 Channel audio, you have to use an HD Front Panel Audio Module, and enable the multi-channel audio feature through the audio driver ". For one thing, I thought that once a sound card was installed, the BIOS would detect it and (automically ) switch to the card. (Or I have to disable the onboard sound manually). I checked with Gigabyte about this, I'm still waiting a reply (for clarity). Because the way it is now.....I only get audio from two front speakers.
garystan

 

[fireberd]

If you install a separate sound card you will have to manually disable the Integrated in the BIOS. It does not automatically detect sound cards. It does automatically detect video cards.

I've seen motherboards, that to get 5.1 or 7.1, depending on how many audio ports it has on the rear, you must use the front panel headphone jack for one of the speaker connections. I haven't seen an "HD audio panel", but there are two different possible front panel connections, HD Audio and AC97. I suspect they are referring to the HD Audio connection (that is referring to the connector from the front panel that is connected to the audio on the motherboard).

 

[garystan]

fireberd :

Thanks for the tip on disabling the Onboard sound. I wonder if the front panel that came with my case will work with the RealTek chip disabled. I found out a little while ago, that, the software/drivers that "drive" the RealTek chip don't recognize any audio front panels for PC Cases. That explains why the front panel that came with my CoolerMaster doesn't work. Just the USB ports work. I've seen a couple of HD Front Panel Audio Modules, but they're usually kinda expensive. The one that TigerDirect sells isn't to bad in price. It comes in two parts. One for the front panel, which is installed into an empty drive bay. And the other part, the sound board, connects to that. But, the way I understand it, is a good sound board would have all the output ports necessary to connect front, back and subwoofer.

garystan

 

[garystan]

I recently install an Asus Xonar Essence STX which uses a PCIe x1 slot (it will work in any PCIe slot, mine is in a x4). If using the optical output, it is capable of up to 5.1 but, using the audio ports, it works with a 2 or 2.1 system. Using those ports, I can hear a definite improvement over the onboard audio on my P9X79 WS MOBO. You do have to have pretty decent speakers to hear the difference.

Lady Fitzgerald :

I was thinking about getting the Asus Xonar. Not too expensive. Until I get my card, I'm "muddling" through with the Onbard RealTek Chip. They need to stop manufacturing this chip. I found out that is has two flaws. 1) It only produces 2-channel sound. Not 2.1 sound. 2) The software/drivers that "drive" the RealTek chip don't recognize front audio panels on PC Cases. Unfortunately, this chip is becoming so prevalent....it's now in every computer. It's made in...........China!!!!! I'm kind of a amateur music buff. On my old AMD computer, I had my Creative Labs 5.1 system hooked up.....and the sound was "off the wall". I loved it. I still have my AMD-based system. I keep it as a back-up. My new computer is Intel-based, it's faster (3.3 Ghz Processor). Anyway.......................................

garystan

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

The Realtek chip on my MOBO has up to 7.1 sound. While there is a port for the sub and center speakers, most, if not all, 2.1 computer speaker systems don't use it, only the front speaker connections; the subwoofer gets its signal from those. My Corsair Sp2500 2.1 system has only left and right channel inputs but has a great sub that works just fine from those inputs. The Xonar Essence STX (there are several different Xonar cards but this one is considered the best; it's also the most expensive) has just the left and right channel outputs unless you use the optical output, which will handle up to 5.1.