PCI dilemma

**JaxPt** · 08-02-2004, 10:55 PM

So heres what I got goin on. I have a samsung mobo from a gateway 500/2 PC, It has only 2 pci slots and 2 USB ports, no AGP. Obviously I'm not wanting to use the ac97 sound with my system in the car. I'm planning on using a soundblaster audigy 2nx or extigy, i'll nedd something with seperate channels for front/rear and subs.
if I go with the audigy I'l lbe using one of my pci slots. Next, i'll be installing a video card, probably gforce3mx, I run one in my home pc and its been working great for all my needs. So thats 2 PCI slots gone.

I want a Wifi antenna and card but no PCI slots, so can i somehow use USB? looks like I'll be buying a USb hub for everything else, my main concern is the Wifi eveything I've ever seen is a PCI card or cardbus

**choyak** · 08-03-2004, 12:10 AM

Buy a http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...108-001&depa=0 and a PCI video card; everything else use USB

Also make sure the internal USB is 2.0 because 1.1 is WAY WAY too snailey for the Extigy or video playback on a USB DVD player

**migel628** · 08-03-2004, 12:17 AM

I'm pretty sure your internal USB Ports are not USB 2.0. So going w/ a USB 2.0 PCI card and a PCI video card would be the way to go as choyak suggested. Go w/ some USB sound & you're set

Check pricewatch on the USB 2.0 cards though, I got one for like $8.00 shipped & it's worked like a dream...

**JaxPt** · 08-03-2004, 01:24 AM

ahh yeh good idea, but the USB is not 2.0 like i said its an older board. hmmm, I need a really good soundcard, theres no way I'm tapping into my sound system with inferior sound. ahhh guess I'll have to just use this for now and buy a decent mobo/cpu. thanks for the idea though

**DarquePervert** · 08-03-2004, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by JaxPt

ahh yeh good idea, but the USB is not 2.0 like i said its an older board. hmmm, I need a really good soundcard, theres no way I'm tapping into my sound system with inferior sound. ahhh guess I'll have to just use this for now and buy a decent mobo/cpu. thanks for the idea though

migel628 said it.
Use your two PCI slots thusly:
1 is populated with a USB 2.0 card and the other is populated with your GeForce3MXWhatever.
Get the USB version of the AudigyNX, which is external USB 2.0 sound card. From everything I've read it's the best sound available for a car PC, no matter what your setup is.
Granted, that means more money, but you'll actually be able to hear your music, so....

**DjBac** · 08-29-2004, 08:09 PM

I have the same problem(maybe worse

)

I have a shuttle PC with 1xAGP and 1xPCI!!!

So what I need PCI for?
I am between an Audigy 2 or PCI-->Cardbus adaptor!!!!

So my question, is there a USB2.0-->cardbus adaptor??

If not, is USB audigy good enough?? Because I've heard it eats a lot of CPU?? (I have P4 HT 3.0Ghz @2,56 1,4v)

I would prefer getting a USB--> cardbus adaptor!!

**nzKAOSnz** · 08-29-2004, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by JaxPt

my main concern is the Wifi eveything I've ever seen is a PCI card or cardbus

usb wifi thingy

**ppgt94** · 08-29-2004, 08:27 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...717818981&rd=1

Orinoco USB Client. There is a Orinoco Silver card inside. It's a PCMCIA card with a USB adapter. The card inside has a place to plug in a external antenna. I have this and installed with an external antenna and get crazy tons of range.