Realtek AC97 issues

McGraw · 04-05-2005, 17:13

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.

nffc · 04-05-2005, 17:34

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.

AndrewJ · 04-05-2005, 17:51

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

04-05-2005, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewJames

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

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

nffc · 04-05-2005, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewJames

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

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

McGraw · 04-05-2005, 18:12

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.

budwieser · 04-05-2005, 18:20

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

As low as about ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£30 on ebay now i think.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...192089717&rd=1

mrlipring · 04-05-2005, 19:08

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

AndrewJ · 04-05-2005, 19:15

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.

nffc · 04-05-2005, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlipring

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

Eh?
__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewJames

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.

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

gooner4life · 04-05-2005, 19:28

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.

04-05-2005, 19:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by gooner4life

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.

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.

AndrewJ · 04-05-2005, 19:51

looks like there new stuff is pretty A ok.

McGraw · 05-05-2005, 10:21

What issues do people have with the creative drivers?

I know they are supposed to take over your system.

05-05-2005, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by McGraw

I know they are supposed to take over your system.

Where the hell did you hear that from? That is utter non-sense