Question 1

Does this card work with windows 10?

Accepted Answer

I hope so I intend to install 10 in a few weeks. I will let you know if I have a problem, or rather you will hear me scream. Good luck with your purchase.

Question 2

Does the external box auto-detect headphone hookup or do you have to switch it in the software manually?

Accepted Answer

You need to manually switch it in the software.

Question 3

How do you hook up a 5.1 speaker system to this card, as I only see 3 speaker outputs?

Accepted Answer

The jacks are stereo... so the three outputs are center/base, front left/front right, and rear left/rear right, I believe.  Most computer speaker systems will have amplifier inputs for those channels and will split it to individual speakers at the amplifier. This card (and most sound cards) cannot power speakers by itself.

Question 4

So... some people say they have driver issues and some don't. Is it that the people who don't mention driver issues are to incompetent to realize their there or is it that depending on your hardware, OS, and programs may or may not interfere with the drivers? If this is true, is it worth taking the risk?

Accepted Answer

You are correct. There are so many variables that would contribute to this hardware working or not working. I have had this card for over a year and I have not had one issue. In my experience if you roll with manufactures that have a good reputation, good support it will mitigate your risk. 
I love this sound blaster card and the software tools that it comes with. I have mine connected to a receiver via an optical cable for my movies and music and then have my headphones connected to the Audio Control Module for my gaming. I play a lot of FPS games and it has a feature that brings out foot steps and other sounds that help a ton in FPS games. 
I wish that I could give you some sort of 100% guarantee that it would work with your system but given that I don't know the specs of your hardware all I can say is trust your gut, do as much research as you can and act on that.

Good Luck!

Question 5

Will this produce better sound if my headphones connect by usb only?

Accepted Answer

No, It will not. If you use a USB headset you will bypass any effects and improvements of the sound card. The headset has its own "built in" sound card that processes the sound. Use a headset that connects through a normal analog headphone cable to notice an improvement by the sound card.

Question 6

Would this increase quality of music?

Accepted Answer

The analog sound from this card will be better compared to the C-Media or Realtek chips used by most motherboards, since the Creative card has better DACs and op-amps.

On the other hand, if you are using digital output like TOSLINK optical cable or even HDMI from your graphics card for Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS, etc to a dedicated AVR, then there won't be much of a difference.

Question 7

My motherboard only has one PCIx1 slot which is currently being used by my wireless adapter. Will this fit into the x16 ports by any chance?

Accepted Answer

The above answers are incorrect.  PCIExpress works this way: If it fits it the slot, it will work.  Any device can be plugged into a slot that is rated at or above the device's required lanes, i.e. an x1 device can be plugged in x1, x4, x8, or x16 and will function just fine, but will not get a benefit above the x1.  All PCIExpress connections have a "core" set of pins, then additional bandwidth lanes for faster or more powerful devices (like video cards!).

Question 8

Is there a difference in sound quality between the front panel out and the 3.5 mm at the back? and can i use the audio control module to adjust volume while my headphones connected to the front panel out?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what your connecting it to. If your connecting it to your case's built-in interface, then expect a massive drop in quality (think AC97). If your connecting it to a high-end bay device then there shouldn't be much (if any) quality loss.

As for the audio controller, your headphones have to be connected to it in order for the volume knob to work. I personally wouldn't recommend using it anyway due to how much it degrades the sound quality.

Question 9

I need to ask a question, Im old school which one of the sounds cards would  be good for what i want.  I want my PC to jam like I have a amp on home stereo.  Do they make a sound card where I can put in my pc and hook up a good pair of speakings and star jamming ?  All I see with soudcards is them talking about how card the head phones sound. Im not worried about head phone I want this pc to rock.  Can anyone steer me in the right directions.  I would appreciate it very much.  Thank U  Marvin

Accepted Answer

While i have this card, i am using it with a set of spowered monitors.  So if you attach self-powered speakers you should be good to go.  I doubt you could drive a pair of unpowered  100+ Watt speakers and be happy with it.  However you could hookup to an external app that could.

Question 10

What is the cord length of the ACM?

Accepted Answer

Should be approximately 3 feet

Questions & Answers