Question 1

Will it work with windows 11?

Accepted Answer

If you are using headphones or just a simple stereo setup, then you shouldn't have any problems. If you want to use surround sound (and why wouldn't you with a card like this?), then it is not totally straightforward.

1) For surround sound, you need to use the optical SPDIF output. Computer speaker systems don't always have an optical SPDIF input, so you need to make sure yours does. In my case, I have it connected to an explicit AV receiver with 5.1 speaker system.

2) Make sure you have the most recent driver and software from Creative. In WIndows, even though you are actually using the SPDIF output connector, you need to have "Speakers" set as the default output, not "SPDIF".

3) Because of this weird workaround that Creative's software is using for its digital surround output, the normal volume controls in Windows don't work right. For example, the volume dial on my keyboard doesn't do anything. I end up controlling the volume directly by turning the knob on my AV receiver. There are at least 1 or 2 free third party apps out there from people that figured out extra workarounds for this problem, but I don't like adding extra unnecessary software and my AV receiver is literally right next to my chair; so it is not an significant inconvenience for me.

4) Make sure the Windows post-processing "Audio Enhancements" effects are turned off.

Question 2

Does installing this into a PCIe x1 slot offer the same quality as if I plugged it in a PCIe x16 slot?

Accepted Answer

yes.

Question 3

Are there Windows 10 drivers available for this sound card?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are Windows 10 drivers available for this sound card.

Brand	Creative
Series	Sound Blaster
Model	Z SE
Part	70SB150000004

Audio Chipset	Sound Core3D
Channels	5.1 Channels, 7.1 Virtual
Sample Rate	192KHz
Digital Audio	24-bit
SNR	116dB
Encode	Dolby Digital Live / DTS

Line In	1 x 3.5 mm jack
Line Out	3 x 3.5 mm jacks (Front, Rear, C/Sub)
SPDIF In	1 x TOSLINK
SPDIF Out	1 x TOSLINK
Other Ports	1 x Amplified 3.5 mm jack

Interface	PCI Express x1
Operating Systems Supported	Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10
System Requirements	Intel Core 2 Duo or AMD equivalent processor, 2.2GHz or faster recommended Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard Microsoft Windows 10 (32 / 64-bit); Windows 8 (32 / 64-bit); Windows 7 (32 / 64-bit) 1 GB RAM >600 MB of free hard disk space Available PCI Express (x1, x4, or x16) slot

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Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card and DAC, 24-bit / 192 kHz, 116 dB SNR, ASIO, 600O Headphones Amp, Mic EQ, Discrete 5.1 / Virtual 7.1, Supports Dolby Digital Live, DTS

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