Is it time to move on? PCI too PCIE?

Gunni Parker · 5 Mar 2013 at 02:11

I have a trusty Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro (PCI card) of which I bought many moons ago when they where lots of money. I even managed to snag the front panel (championship series) at a later date from a not so trustworthy auction site.

I have never had any problems with drivers... with that card. However. I do have a current problem. I have moved on in the GPU department and I have bought myself a Sapphire 7970 ghz edition. The only problem is it takes the best part of 2 and a 1/2 slots. Therefore, this results in my beloved sound card being useless as despite all my fidgeting and wiggling I cannot manage to get my mobo to identify the card. Plus to mention that it wouldn't be that healthy for that GPU to sit on it the way it is. So I have 2 solutions, either, buy a new card! Or, try a pci e - pci adaptor.

Gunni Parker · 5 Mar 2013 at 02:18

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/3039/screenshot2013030502095.png

Thats the adapter for those who have not seen one.

Marsman · 5 Mar 2013 at 02:25

How can a full height PCI card fit in one of those and still fit in the case? Would make sense if a low profile card were to slot into and become full height with the adaptor as well.

Gunni Parker · 5 Mar 2013 at 02:48

I would have to get the measurements but I agree, I don't think it would fit.

biuro74 · 5 Mar 2013 at 20:28

You may search another motherboard with different slot locations

dacads · 5 Mar 2013 at 20:38

biuro74 said:
You may search another motherboard with different slot locations

Easier and possibly cheaper to just buy a new soundcard..

Gunni Parker · 6 Mar 2013 at 03:17

dacads said:
Easier and possibly cheaper to just buy a new soundcard..

What would you go with?

gatecrasherlok · 6 Mar 2013 at 05:19

I'd probably get a new soundcard. Some of the Xonar offerings are decently priced and are great performers too.

Marsman · 6 Mar 2013 at 11:01

I'd go with either a Soundblaster Z or a Xonar DX. Anything cheaper isn't going to sound as good as the card you have already.

momo56 · 11 Mar 2013 at 02:54

What about a pci externder ribbon ? That way you could still use your card but mounted further away from your gpu.

AsLan · 18 Mar 2013 at 09:30

I'm in the same postion. Just bought the Gigabyte 7950 wf3 and its right up againt the xtreme gamer. Had to use a tie wrap for now to support the end of gpu else I get a clicking sound when the fans speed up. The soundcards in the only available pci slot.

I'm running a 965 BE at 3900 so don't want to spend to much on a motherboard to sort the problem as aI feel it's a bit of a waste of money. So maybe a B grade motherboard or a pcie soundcard.

Problem is I really like the sound from the xtreme gamer both for games and music, and never had any issues with drivers. I've read the the recon 3d cards are not very good and that the xtreme audio doesn't actually use the xi-fi chip. What sound cards are goung to be of a similar quality for games and music?

I've tried the onboard sound and the G510's usb sound and neither are anywhere near as good.

Marsman · 18 Mar 2013 at 10:47

Unless you can use a PCI extender ribbon as suggested above, then good alternatives would be a Soundblaster Z OEM or a Xonar DX. Both around £50-£60.

AsLan · 18 Mar 2013 at 11:58

Thanks. The creative Z looks good. I'll check out the ribbon cable as well, there's room in the case, just whether I can mount it securely.

Frenzy · 18 Mar 2013 at 11:59

Had to get rid of my tv tuner as the pcie ports I had were either blocked by chip set heatsinks or the graphics card was covering up one slot. Pretty annoying but I did buy the motherboard a while a go now.

Definitely buy with pcie in mind now.