Having issues with Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH or maybe something else?

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:01

Don't know if this is bios issue? It might be, Having problems with Asus D2X SOUND CARD. I have mobo GA-Z77X-UP5 TH and have 2 GTX 770 Lightnings in SLI. The first 2 pci-e slots. 16x and 8x have both cards. I tried to install the D2X sound card in the 3 pci-e 4x. It works fine, but when I try to go to the nvidia control panel, it's not there? I take sound card out and it's all fine again. I put sound card back in again. control panel is gone again and my cards aren't SLI anymore? I've done this many times and every time I install sound card in pci-e 3 slot 4x slot the whole thing messes up, no panel, no SLI?

Is this a bios issue or a Nvidia driver issue? Don't know that's why I'm asking here.

Thanks

Khazzer · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:14

I don't know the card, but it sounds to me like you are exhausting the lane capacity on PCI-e

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:16

Khazzer said:
I don't know the card, but it sounds to me like you are exhausting the lane capacity on PCI-e

Don't know what that is? I have 3 pci-e slots. This board can do 3x SLI. It should work?

Khazzer · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:26

I've just looked up the spec of the motherboard and I think I'm right, because your graphics cards use up a large number of PCI-e lanes and the chipset can only handle so many you may be exhausting the capacity of the chipset, however the PCI-e x1 slots are on a different part of the chipset, so if you use a x1 slot for the sound card you should be ok. It would probably be best to use the top most slot - above the top graphics card.

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:32

Khazzer said:
I've just looked up the spec of the motherboard and I think I'm right, because your graphics cards use up a large number of PCI-e lanes and the chipset can only handle so many you may be exhausting the capacity of the chipset, however the PCI-e x1 slots are on a different part of the chipset, so if you use a x1 slot for the sound card you should be ok. It would probably be best to use the top most slot - above the top graphics card.

I thought of that. It wont fit because of the 770 Lightnings being so big. Damn it. I guess I'll have to use onboard sound

Is there any other way to get this sound card working? onboard sound is only in mono or stereo and isn't very good. I wanted DD or DTS. what about usb sound card? would I get DD with that? I use S/PDIF to the mobo, but still only get stereo. No DD or DTS.

I'm gutted

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:40

I might be able to put the 2nd 770 lightning in the 3 pci-e 4x slot and then put the sound card in the middle slot. The speeds of the SLI will go down a little instead of 8x - 8x, will be 8x by 4x, but it shouldn't hurt when I game?

I don't know If I want to do that tbh? oh poo... :mad:

I guess I just have to live with it. I'm not buying another mobo.

Thanks anyways mate

Nelly · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:45

Maybe ask on the http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/ forum or ask on here http://www.overclock.net/f/6/intel-motherboards lots more people on that forum who will have similar setup to you.

stulid · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:46

Does the sound card not fit in the very first 1X slot above the first GFX card?

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:47

stulid said:
Does the sound card not fit in the very first 1X slot above the first GFX card?

No, because the lightnings Blue LED thingy is in the way. I tried.

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:48

Nelly said:
Not tempted to try a PCI-E Soundcard, see if that works? Yes... more expense, but should be able to get cash back on the PCI card.

Shoudn't have to go to this hassle seen as the motherboard is set so that you can use the setup you are already using.

Maybe ask on the http://forums.tweaktown.com/gigabyte/ forum or ask on here http://www.overclock.net/f/6/intel-motherboards lots more people on that forum who will have similar setup to you.

Thanks mate. I left a post at tweaktown. will wait for a reply.

stulid · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:49

Another solution which you wont like is, the ALC898 soundchip on the UP5 isn't that bad, use that and sell the card.

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:52

stulid said:
Another solution which you wont like is, the ALC898 soundchip on the UP5 isn't that bad, use that and sell the card.

I might have to. I just bought the card from here. I'll just return it for a refund. The on board sound is ok, just not DD.

I wonder if a low profile sound card would work?

stulid · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:55

The sound card has a heatsink/EMI shield around it?

Maybe a soundblaster Z OEM which is a plain black card will fit?

Nelly · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:56

RetrogamerX said:
Thanks mate. I left a post at tweaktown. will wait for a reply.

I edited my first post, I thought it was a PCI card, not PCI-E. Yeah best asking on them forums, bound to be someone with similar setup.

Khazzer · 15 Jun 2013 at 15:57

Yes, you could try the DX version.

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 16:03

Khazzer said:
Yes, you could try the DX version.

The DX has DD live?

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 16:11

stulid said:
The sound card has a heatsink/EMI shield around it?

Maybe a soundblaster Z OEM which is a plain black card will fit?

Hey stulid does the sound blaster z need power to the card. Thanks

stulid · 15 Jun 2013 at 16:12

RetrogamerX said:
Hey stulid does the sound blaster z need power to the card. Thanks

No it doesnt.

If I took the EMI shield of mine (retail so has a shield) and shoved it in the top slot and took some pics, would that help show the available room?

RetrogamerX · 15 Jun 2013 at 16:15

stulid said:
No it doesnt.

If I took the EMI shield of mine (retail so has a shield) and shoved it in the top slot and took some pics, would that help show the available room?

Sure,but it will fit on the bottom pci-e slot still. If that didn't work I'm sure the top slot wil fit. Cheers mate

stulid · 15 Jun 2013 at 16:17

Using the very bottom slot gimps your lanes as mentioned, squeezing it in to the very top 1X slot of the 3rd 1X slot will be better.