Is a Sound Blaster Audigy Fx compatible with my Z2 G5 SFF Workstation

[Clemenza33]

After more than a decade, I've upgraded my HP Compaq Elite 8300 to a Z2 G5 SFF Workstation.  Whilst the sound output is tolerable, I really wanted the quality of the Creative offering, which I had in my last system. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to transfer the PCI card to my Z2 as it has PCIe slots.

I did purchase the Sound Blaster Audigy FX replacement card and installed it, using the latest drivers, but the sound output was distorted. such is not the same when I used the integrated Realtek High Definition Audio. I assumed the card was faulty.

Have any forum members successfully installed this or a similar sound card or have any ideas if the issue is linked to any settings in my G5 Workstation.

Any advice, suggestions or assistance is welcome.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I installed that model card in a Dell Optiplex 7050 MT with an i7-7700 processor.

When I installed the audio drivers from Creative, they didn't work as well as the driver that Windows Update installed.

The downside to that was there were no audio settings to use.

I wanted to use the creative SB software to adjust the various settings (equalizer and whatnot).

What I did to get that to work was to install just the software and not the driver that came with it.

It has worked fine ever since I made those slight changes.

[Clemenza33]

That’s really interesting. I had a feeling it was something to do with drivers or software.

Thanks

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

If you don't need to use the audio enhancements, the default W10 driver works fine.

If you try to install the full Creative software and driver, the sound doesn't work right.

It's been over a year since I installed the audio card, but I believe the software gives you the option to install just the software without the driver.