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Author Topic: USB Sound card  (Read 440 times)

Offline Scca

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USB Sound card
« on: June 21, 2007, 02:08:01 PM »
I have a Dell 670 workstation I use for AH.  The only PCI slot I have in the machine is right next to the video card which can't be moved either.  I am afraid the closeness of the cards will restrict the ability of the video card to cool or will melt the sound card (less than 1/2 inch clearance).  The only other slots I have available are PCIX or PCI express 8, which I of course can't find. Link to MB layout

I have seen the USB sound cards.  Has anyone used these and are they worth it?  If I will not see an improvement in performance, I will stay with what I have...
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Offline Krusty

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USB Sound card
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2007, 02:27:50 PM »
From what I understand, USB sound cards are less than ideal.

Let me ask you this, first:

What vid card do you have? Some don't generate as much heat as others, might not have to worry too badly.

Also: Is the onboard sound giving you any trouble? If not then it might be better to hold off until you can find a PCIe sound card.
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Offline NHawk

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« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2007, 02:48:35 PM »
PCI and PCIX cards can be mixed on a PCIX bus, but the speed will be limited to the speed of the slowest card.
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Offline Krusty

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« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2007, 03:05:04 PM »
Doesn't seem to be any PCIe soundcards on newegg.com at all. It's not even a search option.
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Offline NHawk

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« Reply #4 on: June 21, 2007, 03:11:46 PM »
PCI-X is not PCI-Express (PCI-E). They sound similar but are different.
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Offline Scca

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USB Sound card
« Reply #5 on: June 21, 2007, 06:26:20 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Krusty
From what I understand, USB sound cards are less than ideal.

Let me ask you this, first:

What vid card do you have? Some don't generate as much heat as others, might not have to worry too badly.

Also: Is the onboard sound giving you any trouble? If not then it might be better to hold off until you can find a PCIe sound card.

I am getting some micro freezes once in a while when sound plays, but that's minor.  

The onboard sound stinks really, and I thought I would like to upgrade.  I am running the factory Quadro FX card that came with the system (got it used).  I know it's not the ideal card, but I get 30-75 FPS, so I can't justify a new card.  

Is there a way to tell what temp the video card is running at?
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Offline NHawk

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USB Sound card
« Reply #6 on: June 22, 2007, 11:12:29 AM »
Reading the temperature depends on the video card. I can read mine directly from the ATI control center.

If you are getting micro freezes when sounds play and you have custom sounds installed, try removing the custom sounds. Some of them actually cause the freezes.
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Offline wooly15

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USB Sound card
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2007, 11:21:42 AM »
try nview from nvidia.  It reads the temp from my 8800 but not sure if it will read the quatros.
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Offline Bad31st

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USB Sound card
« Reply #8 on: June 22, 2007, 11:40:58 PM »
I'm not sure I'd worry about your video card melting your sound card...I mean your video card hasn't melted and the air temp surrounding the video card would be less than the temp of the actual sound card....

I'd install the new sound card and maybe install another fan if you are worried about overheating...
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Offline Fulmar

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USB Sound card
« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2007, 09:24:05 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Scca
I am getting some micro freezes once in a while when sound plays, but that's minor.  

The onboard sound stinks really, and I thought I would like to upgrade.  I am running the factory Quadro FX card that came with the system (got it used).  I know it's not the ideal card, but I get 30-75 FPS, so I can't justify a new card.  

Is there a way to tell what temp the video card is running at?


Depending on the model its tough to say in the Quadro series has temperature sensors.  Depends on how old the card is etc.  Not 100% if they include a temp sensor with it because its designed to be a workstation card not a video gaming card.
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Offline Scca

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USB Sound card
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2007, 10:00:50 AM »
Quote
Originally posted by Bad31st
I'm not sure I'd worry about your video card melting your sound card...I mean your video card hasn't melted and the air temp surrounding the video card would be less than the temp of the actual sound card....

I'd install the new sound card and maybe install another fan if you are worried about overheating...

You make a good point here..  

My major concern is the new sound card will be sitting right next to the video and restricting air flow possibly.  It's the increased heat from restricted air flow I am concerned about.  

Maybe I will give it a try..
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Offline swoose

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USB Sound card
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2007, 03:13:14 PM »
I had problems with my on board sound system. I purchased an external usb Sound blaster card because all my pci slots were full. It works good for me and you can even use it to put your old vinyl in digital format. I bought it from Office Depot because they were close. I think around 50 bucks or so. Hope this helps.
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