Mini-ITX build help *Sound Card*

[finbarqs]

So after reading through countless threads, it appears I have to live with the onboard sound card... Which most will be fine, but after listening to my brother's Realtek HD on board sound, there is a noticeable difference than my Sound Blaster Z.

So this is my plan: Asrock Fatal1ty Z170 mini-itx board (yes it must be mini itx since I'm using an inwin 901). The reason why I went with asrock is because they have a half height mini-pcie slot for their wireless... Since it's gonna replace my current desktop, I'm not going to need a wifi card in that system. So I'm going to use a mini pci-e to pcie x1 adapter to install my Sound Blaster Z. That's all great and everything, but this got me thinking: Can't they make a USB to pcie x1 adapter? Does this exist? I love ribbon cables and all, but the sound card will go on the EXTERNAL of the case -- probably in that one space for the rear exhaust fan/radiator. I'll just construct some kind of box for the device... Just which there was something more solid than that flimsy ribbon cable...

Anyways, anybody have any idea what kind of devices like this exists? a USB to PCIex1? or a mini pcie to pcie with a cable that's strong enough to route to the external of the case.

 

[J3S73R]

poking around I've found some things... no idea how well they work

http://m.aliexpress.com/item/1419877525.html?tracelog=storedetail2mobilesitedetail

 

[finbarqs]

i think that'll work! I'll just need to make something to enclose the sound card in... maybe a 3D printer will do something for me... then I can just attach it within the case and Boom! mini-Itx with external Graphics Thanks J3S73R!

 

[JeffMD]

Or you could just buy the usb version of soundblaster.

 

[Yuriman]

There are ITX motherboards available that use Creative's software.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128846

 

[Essence_of_War]

Why not pick up a moderately priced desktop USB or SPDIF DAC to plug your speakers or headphones into? Seems much easier.

 

[finbarqs]

that would be way better... what's a good one that does 5.1? I have the Edifier 5.1 760D system. Currently running a SBZ

 

[Yuriman]

I'm inclined to recommend that you get a board that uses Creative software, like the Gigabyte G1 I linked about. The difference in sound that you hear vs standard Realtek onboard sound doesn't have much (or maybe anything) to do with the hardware itself, it's that Creative's software/drivers apply filters and processing to the sound. Creative has been criticized in the past for making music/audio that's played over their devices not sound like it was recorded/intended, but what processing they do, tends to make it sound more appealing to most.

 

[finbarqs]

after reading and watching countless reviews, it seems that the sound blaster x7 is the way to go with my Asrock mobo... funny, I got the asrock fatal1ty mobo just for the half height mini pcie... now I wouldn't even need it anymore as I'm going to use the external sound card!