Quick Compatibility Check!

Name · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:09

Yo!

thinking of applying a soundcard to my system, but unsure if my motherboard will support one!

My mobo is a gigabyte z77x UD5H:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-388-GI

Currently running a GTX670

Id like to add a soundcard too if possible, is there space?

Thanks! *note to self never start a thread with "Yo" again*

linwelin · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:13

sound card will run in a PCI/E slot so you're good

Name · 22 Feb 2013 at 15:45

Ok thanks

would that be ANY PCI-E slot? or does it have to be a certain one, e.g. x8/x16 ?

linwelin · 22 Feb 2013 at 16:17

Name said:
Ok thanks

would that be ANY PCI-E slot? or does it have to be a certain one, e.g. x8/x16 ?

Depends on your sound card, some run in the PCI slot and some run in the PCI-E slot, what sound card you getting ?

Name · 22 Feb 2013 at 16:19

Entry level card, one of the Asus ones for £22-30, not sure which one to get, i know nothing about these sound cards xD

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-012-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=

or

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-015-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=

linwelin · 22 Feb 2013 at 16:25

Asus Xonar DG 5.1 PCI

Asus Xonar DGX 5.1 PCI-Express

linwelin · 22 Feb 2013 at 16:26

any particular reason you're adding a soundcard ? the onboard ones do the job just fine.

Smoogels · 22 Feb 2013 at 16:59

linwelin said:
any particular reason you're adding a soundcard ? the onboard ones do the job just fine.

I personally got a Asus £30 soundcard and was quite impressed with the improved clarity of sounds over onboard.

stulid · 22 Feb 2013 at 17:02

Get a PCI-E card as its more modern and the PCI slot on these boards isnt native to the chipset.

And stick it in the very top 1X slot above the GFX card or the 3rd one down.

Name · 22 Feb 2013 at 17:07

Ah okay! Onboard is fine but I heard accounts of a few people mentioning a noticeable difference once they acquired a sound card, just interested to see what it's like for myself!

stulid · 22 Feb 2013 at 17:12

Name said:
Ah okay! Onboard is fine but I heard accounts of a few people mentioning a noticeable difference once they acquired a sound card, just interested to see what it's like for myself!

Ok, this board has the ALC898 Realtek audio chipset, it has X-Fi emulation and features a pair of amps and is better than the usual onboard solutions found on cheaper boards.

But saying that I've been sent a SoundblasterZ and its very noticeable that the overall low frequency has a stronger "punch" the overall sound quality is clearer, sharper and louder without the music falling apart.

Name · 22 Feb 2013 at 19:32

Alright thanks people, now just to decide which one to go for!

stulid · 22 Feb 2013 at 19:34

Name said:
Alright thanks people, now just to decide which one to go for!

As if by magic - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18490910

Name · 22 Feb 2013 at 19:37

That is creepy....thanks stulid!