Upgrade Questions.

BarneyBoots · 3 Apr 2010 at 23:13

Just wondering if anyone could give me any pointers.Pretty basic questions but rather be safe than sorry.

Currently using the Realtek onboard audio on my EX58-UD5 board and was thinking about getting a dedicated sound card,mainly because the sound just lacks "pop" if that makes sense and the annoying hissing through the front audio when using headphones.So I guess my questions are.

Thinking about the X-Fi Extreme Gamer.I mainly play games and listen to music.Read good things about the Asus cards but have heard they are not that great for games.Is it worth sticking with my original choice of the X-Fi ?

Currently got 2 HD5800s in a crossfire configuration which take up quite a bit of spaceI think I have got 1 expansion slot at the bottom of the board.Has anyone else had this and will the sound card fit into this slot without any space issues ?

Is there any way to still use the front audio port after I install the X-Fi or is it a case of having to switch between headphones and speakers by disconnecting and reconnecting them at the rear of the case ?

Any help greatly appreciated.

Marsman · 4 Apr 2010 at 01:25

The problem with the front case audio hissing or cracking is not the onboard sound itself. The same will happen whichever sound card you get. The problem lies with the cable that connects the front case audio sockets to the motherboard, or sound card. Basically the cable case manufacturers use to connect to the audio header on motherboard or sound card is crap quality and picks up interference within the case.

BarneyBoots · 4 Apr 2010 at 01:39

Fancy a new soundcard anyway as I dont think that the onboard sound is that great,just a bit concened about clearance for the card with the two graphics cards already on the board !!

Uriel · 4 Apr 2010 at 14:21

Heat could be a problem. I've had sound corruption and crashing with an X-Fi installed up against a graphics card. If there's space keep a clear pci slot width away from graphics card heatsinks.

BarneyBoots · 4 Apr 2010 at 14:58

The only accessable PCI slot is the one right at the bottom of the board.I have install the soundcard there,then there will not be much clearance between the Sound and graphics cards.

Is it worth it,how common a problem will overhaeting be if I do this ?

The case is a antec 1200 and the board is a EX58-UD5 so I thought that there would be plenty of space for future upgrades.Just forgot to factor in the latest graphics cards being so big !!

Uriel · 4 Apr 2010 at 15:40

If your machine switches off or resets during gaming, soundcard overheating is a possibility.

If you have the type of GPU cooler that exhausts heat out of the system, that will help.

MaxP779 · 4 Apr 2010 at 15:59

Should be fine, thats a massive case and the 5800 series isnt particularly toasty. I wouldnt be concerned. They vent a good chunk of the heat out the back of the case anyway.

I believe x-fi's have a front audio connector so you could use the front audio ports with it.

BarneyBoots · 5 Apr 2010 at 04:48

Had a quick look around my case earlier and i believe the front audio connection is 9pin (2 banks of 5) if that sounds right.
This is currently plugged into my motherboard.

Is it simply a case of plugging this into the new sound card when I get it ?

Leaning towards the x-fi extreme gamer,does this have the required connection on the card itself ?

I appreciate the various static,hissing issues with front panel but its much easier than having to climb around the back of the tower every time I want to use headphones !!

Very basic questions I know but any help appreciated.

Marsman · 5 Apr 2010 at 12:21

Yes it does.