Soundcards and directx..........

Buk

Senior member
Oct 9, 1999
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I had a P4-2.8B on a Gigabyte GA-8IK1100 Motherboard that I was using for video encoding and gaming (Doom 3). The Gigabyte motherboard died and I got an Intel D875PBZ to replace it but the Intel board doesn't have the onboard sound like the Gigabyte.

Doom 3 is supposed to require a DirectX 9 full compatible soundcard. I've read a bunch of advertisements for soundcards this AM and haven't found so much as a mention of DirectX compatibility. I have a couple of older soundcards (Diamond MX300, for one) that will install in my W2k with no problems showing on the DirectX Diagnostic Tool so does this mean that it is compliant? Being the OF that I am, my ears can't hear the difference between a $200 soundcard and a $5 soundcard so, in order to be DirectX 9 compliant, do I need another soundcard or will the older card work for Doom 3?

 

Insidious

Diamond Member
Oct 25, 2001
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(from one OF to another :D )

I don't think you have to worry about the game not working. You might loose an effect or something, but I sure can't tell it with my ancient SC. (SB Live! x-gamer)

-Sid

(Doom3 played here often)
 

Matthias99

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2003
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Originally posted by: Buk
I have a couple of older soundcards (Diamond MX300, for one) that will install in my W2k with no problems showing on the DirectX Diagnostic Tool so does this mean that it is compliant?

Yes, the card is compatible with DirectX 9 in this case. I'm not sure if there is much (or any) difference between "compatibility" (ie, you can install DirectX 9 with the card in the system and it will function) and "compliance" (that is, it supports the full DirectSound 9 API) for sound cards. As stated above, you may not have great multi-channel sound or something like that. But you will be able to play the game.