Realtek AC97 issues
 

The mobo in my sig has an AC97 5.1 card buit in.

On the whole it works ok. I have it set up with a set of approx 3 years old Creative Cambridge Soundworks 5.1 speakers. It is the set with the black stick on twisty volume/balance control.

Using the mobo's audio test, they have always worked.

At first, playing Half life they only worked in centre channel.

I then got them (using different drivers) to work through the centre three.

I then got them (again diff drivers) to work in all 5 speakers in the Counter Strike Source audio test. However, there are still problems.

In games and films, the rear speakers just replicate the front ones.

They also crackle slighty every now and again.

They also play a highly distorted noise through the line in when the pc is turned off.

Testing in the gigabyte software produces perfect results?

What am I doing wrong?

Can anyone recommend the best version of drivers to use.

I am currently using the latest Gigabyte ones.

Cheers.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

AC97 is crap, get yourself a proper card. Like the Audigy (waits for Bifta to slag it off)- will get you better framerates etc as well as it's less CPU load.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

My new pc has a Ac97 card capable of 6.1, the sound through it betters any soundcard I have ever had .

Then again it is only 5hours old :D

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

OK, benchmark your sound card using the sound tests in 3Dmark03 and post the FPS of each tests, which are:

No sounds
24 sounds
60 sounds

I bet your frames would drop by over 1/4 with 24 sounds, and 1/2 with 60 sounds ;)

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

Yeah well it still adds load to the CPU, and besides, /me likes the Audigy.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

OK, I'm convinced and will be buying a new souncard.

Can you recommend me a good yet cheap and deally 5.1 solution.

I would like fancy effects if possible.

I wouldn't say no to external as I could have the box on my desk for inputs.

To be honest, I have boycotted Creative stuff for years and would like to keep it that way.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

I have had an Audigy 2 for about 16 month`s and i think it`s brilliant.

As low as about £30 on ebay now i think.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...192089717&rd=1

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

do creative cards still have problems with ide conflicts and data loss and all that nonsense?

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

I do not know but I had a Creative live 5.1 pci card on my old pc and it was ****e, the drivers was totally rubbish and I hated the goddamn thing.

Anyone able to point to a really good quality 7.1 card then as I may as well move onto 7.1 if I am to fit a sound card to my pc, as if its taking up valuable processor/ram power then I will fit a dedicated card and disable the AC97.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

Eh?
__________________

Not had a problem with me Audigy 2 ZS Platinum yet, rather good... :)

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

I took my Audigy out and used my Onboard AC97 audio, it works through my Cambridge Soundworks 5.1 Surround set-up and if it affects my FPS its negligible I cant notice a difference, the Creative Drivers simply drove me crazy.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

I think you will find the Audigy is BETTER than the AC'97. If not, then you have a problem with your software somewhere.

Oh and by the way, what's wrong with the drivers? I'm using Creative's new OpenAL Audigy 2 ZS BETA drivers (yes beta) and I have no issues whats so ever.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

looks like there new stuff is pretty A ok.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

What issues do people have with the creative drivers?

I know they are supposed to take over your system.

Re: Realtek AC97 issues
 

I have it from loosing the 5.1 settings going back to 2.1 all he time, corrupt settings, refusing to boot getting errors on startup.

Problems within games of card not being recognised and having to await Creative to update the drivers, sound quality not being all it should, and just to rub it in the flipping card failing just as I was getting it sorted in my old pc.