AE-5 Plus

quonker · 25 Jul 2025 at 16:17

I'm the proud owner of a new PC with a ROG Strix B650E-F mobo, unfortunately it doesn't come with any digital sound outputs, (it shows optical in the manual but doesn't exist), only 3.5 mm plugs which my aged Logitec Z-5500, (guessing I've owned this longer than some of you have been alive

, doesn't seem to like.

Tempted to push the button on a AE-5 Plus but would just like confirmation that it doesn't require external power, only does if you are using the LED lighting strip?

Can anyone confirm please?

Many thanks

Finners · 25 Jul 2025 at 16:57

Can't help you with the ae-5 but the website and Manual for that board says it has an internal spdif header.

You would need a spdif daughter board and it would run off the internal sound card.

quonker · 25 Jul 2025 at 17:09

Thanks Finners, will check it out.

clone · 25 Jul 2025 at 20:54

Just fit the card in and your good to go, I have one.
If I remember correctly the power cable is needed if you run the inc rgb strips.

clone · 26 Jul 2025 at 09:52

Can also recommend the creative x4 exterior sound card as well, bought one as I couldn't run my Ae5 plus and 5090 as the sound card made my video card run @8x. instead of 16x

CaptainRAVE · 26 Jul 2025 at 09:59

clone said:
Can also recommend the creative x4 exterior sound card as well, bought one as I couldn't run my Ae5 plus and 5090 as the sound card made my video card run @8x. instead of 16x

I loved the AE5, served me well for many years, but took it out once I got a 5090 to clear up air flow. I’ve been really happy with the G8 as an external solution.

quonker · 26 Jul 2025 at 10:35

CaptainRAVE said:
I loved the AE5, served me well for many years, but took it out once I got a 5090 to clear up air flow. I’ve been really happy with the G8 as an external solution.

I'm keen to get a solution that offers good 5.1 surround performance when paired with my Z-5500's

quonker · 26 Jul 2025 at 10:39

clone said:
Can also recommend the creative x4 exterior sound card as well, bought one as I couldn't run my Ae5 plus and 5090 as the sound card made my video card run @8x. instead of 16x

thanks for the reply, sorry to ask this really newbie question but if I do install an internal card how would I know that my 5090 is affected?

And · 29 Jul 2025 at 16:45

GPU-Z

Nemiyen · 11 Aug 2025 at 20:00

quonker said:
I'm keen to get a solution that offers good 5.1 surround performance when paired with my Z-5500's

Did you go with anything in the end? My Xonar Phoebus doesn't play sound in Linux (moving from Win10) and it seems like an issue a few people are having.

I want a solution that allows me to use my z906 speakers with the 3.5mm 5.1 audio jacks that also works in Linux. Sound blaster ae-5 or ae-7 seems to have people saying they work in Linux but I'm more likely to have better luck with a sound blaster x3 or x4 as those use different drivers via USB.

I'm leaning towards the external X3 or X4 though.

quonker · 15 Aug 2025 at 10:24

Nemiyen said:
Did you go with anything in the end? My Xonar Phoebus doesn't play sound in Linux (moving from Win10) and it seems like an issue a few people are having.

I want a solution that allows me to use my z906 speakers with the 3.5mm 5.1 audio jacks that also works in Linux. Sound blaster ae-5 or ae-7 seems to have people saying they work in Linux but I'm more likely to have better luck with a sound blaster x3 or x4 as those use different drivers via USB.

I'm leaning towards the external X3 or X4 though.

In the end after a lot of faff decided to stick with the onboard sound, works well enough for what i need.

Nemiyen · 21 Aug 2025 at 12:46

quonker said:
In the end after a lot of faff decided to stick with the onboard sound, works well enough for what i need.

Haha, sometimes the easiest solutions are the best! I'm back to onboard sound (for now) and it sounds pretty good to be fair. My motherboard is 2013 Rampage IV Extreme so I'm sure onboard sound has come a long way since then too!