Where to Locate Sound Blaster PCIe Card?

Hi jseidel....That sound card is a Pcie x1 card, meaning you can plug it into the Pciex1 slot just above the gtx560.

Originally posted by bprat22 You can plug it into any Pcie slot, even the other x16's,  if you bias it to the left and line up slot.

If I screw it into the chassis shouldn't it line up in the slot correctly? Wouldn't it be "biased to the left" if it were mounted on the chassis and lined up with the slot?"
J.

Edited by jseidel - 13 May 2012 at 6:08am

OK I installed the card in the slot PCIEX16_2 as shown on the diagram above and it works perfectly. The on board Realtek audio was good but this is excellent. Wish DS would have had more affordable sound cards in their configuration menu but then everything came out OK for me in the end at half the cost of the high end Asus cards they offered that put me over my budget.
I like the sound from this card very much and cost me $80.
J.

Edited by jseidel - 18 May 2012 at 6:43pm

I haven't used an audio card in years either.  Although I have been reading some reviews and the Sound Blaster Recon 3D series is rated highly for gaming.  Newegg is offering the Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion for $149.99 and free shipping.  That is $50 off.  The sale ends the 21st though.  I took a lead of faith and ordered one. 

Edited by Asangard - 19 May 2012 at 11:37am

Originally posted by bprat22 What did you plug into it and was it alot better??  I haven't used an audio card in years.

A Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350
Yes, it is difficult to describe but the sound seems to have depth, more realism compared to the Realtek on board audio. As an example everyone has Sleep Away by Bob Acri . . . it comes as a sample with Windows 7. The new card defines the drum background, played with brushes, that was not as definite before. The bass fiddle sounds more like a string instrument, which it is, rather than just low notes coming from an amorphous source. The three instruments used in Sleep Away, piano, drum and bass, seem to stand out individually with the new card. It just seems more real to my ear. I had played with the equalizer with the Realtek on board and was never able to get the definition I hear with the Sound Blaster. For Sleep Away, I used the Sound Blaster equalizer jazz setting and found it to be dynamite.
If you want front end connectivity for a microphone or headphones do consider this:
Recon 3D Champion 1354
Need a empty drive bay but nice to have if you want the ease of plugging things in the front. The Professional and Champion both have the protective case and a sound chip that lights red. My card has neither of these nor front end connectivity. The only thing I may miss is the front chassis mic and headphone jacks but I presently never use either one of those.
J.


Edited by jseidel - 19 May 2012 at 2:59pm

Here are a few screen shots of the software interface that comes with the Sound Blaster Recon 3D:
Equalizer

Scout Mode, for combat games

Mixer

I second that.

Thanks again.   I just have to replace my old Boston Acoustics from years ago.  Time to rattle the walls.

  Yep BA635's.  Maybe 8-10 years ago.