Audio HW Question

**Too Much Damage** · 10-27-09, 01:42 PM

I have 2 5.1 systems I want to plug into my pc. one being my headphones, the other regular speakers. If I get a soundcard in addition to using my onboard, can I run both at the same time?
or do I just need to buy these
http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

**space.cowboy** · 10-27-09, 01:49 PM

I don't see why you couldn't run both. You would have to go into control panel and tell it which device to use.

I'm currently using my on board audio for my 5.1 headphones and my videocard is sending to my stereo (HDMI). I just have to tell it which device to use.

**Mcstrange** · 10-27-09, 02:13 PM

You want to use both the MotherBoards onboard sound card and an addon card? Not sure if that would work. Theoretically it should, but it seems redundant.

I have one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-PC...6670603&sr=8-1

to switch between my headset and my 5.1, but the headset isnt 5.1 fancy so it works pretty simply. And it sure as hell wasnt 60 dollars.

**blackgold** · 10-27-09, 02:36 PM

I'd think if you don't disable the onboard audio in the bios, the onboard will override the card.. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Every time I've had to disable the onboard..
Brian

**Mcstrange** · 10-27-09, 02:42 PM

No, in theory they can both work, they are separate hardware on separate IRQs with separate software, BUT the chances of it having a problem is probably relatively high.

Worst case you end up having to disable the onboard sound and go with the likely higher quality add on card with some sort of splitter setup.

**WileECyte** · 10-27-09, 03:44 PM

I think the problem you'll run into is that most games send audio to the 'default' device. You can specify which of the devices is the default in your Sound Control Panel. Some games will let you choose the device, but I don't know that you'll be able to select both.