PCI Graphics or Sound card - EPIA M10000

**ZimZimmer** · 08-03-2004, 04:21 PM

I'm doing much research before plunging in and ordering components...

For my mobo I'm looking at getting a VIA EPIA M10000 and I see that it only has 1 PCI slot. Therefore am I limited to one PCI device or am I able to share this slot to enable two PCI devices. I've seen the VIA PCI riser card and looks like it allows another PCI card? I want poss sound and graphics card.

I'm unsure if I should go with an Audigy NX2 USB for sound or to get the PCI equivalent. I guess this will be answered about the available PCI slots. It seems unlikely I can use one slot for gfx and snd... I'm doing away with the HU and have a multi speaker & amp install. Decent SQ is important for Audio CD's and HDD stored mp3's.

Would a decent PCI graphics card prove to be much better than the on-board? It wouldn't be used for gaming but probably DVD playback + compressed DivX or xVid films. If it's not going to be that more beneficial I might not bother...

I'll be using 512Mb RAM so that should be enough and choosing XP Pro as the opsys.

Thank you for your valuable advice!

**nl4jy** · 08-03-2004, 04:31 PM

I think many here suggest the USB sound as it will eliminate any motherboard noise???

**MrSpace** · 08-03-2004, 04:36 PM

I would suggest keeping onboard video, it's enough for your needs. Except if you absolutely want the native 800x480 resolution on your 7" screenm you don'T need the external card IMO.

As for sound card, a good PCI one with an EXTERNAL decoder in order to send your signals to your amp(s) will yield a very good sound.. and I'm not sure that USB would be better, since you send out the digital signal through SPDIF to the decoder.

Etienne

**antimatter** · 08-03-2004, 04:44 PM

I saved my PCI slot for a Video card. I used the S/PDIF output port and ran that to a Surround sound Processor and then to a six chanel amp.

I will have atleast two monitors. 1 in dash and the other one in the passengers sun visor so i need two vga outputs thus revealing the necesity of having an adition PCI card. See my point

If i was to add a soundcard onto the m10k i would definitly get a PCI sound card that is THX certified (thats just me) although alot of other people seem to find decent sound quality with their USB devices. More power to ya!

**00CericaRuss** · 08-03-2004, 05:13 PM

i've got my m10000 running the via pci riser w/a pci geforce and a pci sb audigy 1
no noises whatsoever

**ZimZimmer** · 08-03-2004, 05:37 PM

Thanks for the suggestions.

So it's possible to have both using the PCI riser. Interesting... I think I'll look into using the mainboard graphics for now (stick to the budget!) and getting a PCI sound card with external decoder.

00CericaRuss - Am I right in thinking back that I read something about you having a prob with the NX s/card (USB?) and changed it for the PCI audigy 1? How is the SQ with your setup as I see you're running a nice ICE set up.

nl4jy - I've not heard of the USB s/card eliminating mobo noise. Is it a common prob?

Thanks all.

**antimatter** · 08-03-2004, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by 00CericaRuss

i've got my m10000 running the via pci riser w/a pci geforce and a pci sb audigy 1
no noises whatsoever

Nice... didn't think about that option.

Well wait mainute... do the cards face away from the Mobo or do the go over the mobo?

**ZimZimmer** · 08-03-2004, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by antimatter

Nice... didn't think about that option.

Well wait mainute... do the cards face away from the Mobo or do the go over the mobo?

This is the info I can find:

This riser card allows you to fit a 2 PCI cards horizontally away from a mini-ITX board

The bottom slot is 17mm above the board, the top slot is 37mm above the board, the riser card total height is 47mm.

Edited - forgot to say thanks for reminding me... I'll also be thinking of adding a 2nd screen so a second VGA would be handy!

**00CericaRuss** · 08-03-2004, 06:12 PM

i think the sq is a bit better w/the pci sound card over the audigy2nx, but my mids/tweets are teh stock 3 way ones that came w/the car, crossed over via my jl 500/5

the cards face away from the mobo

looks like my sig is totally outdated.. heh

**ZimZimmer** · 08-03-2004, 06:20 PM

The HU is being removed in favour of the PC. For now I'm going to be keeping the stock speakers and powering with a Phoenix Gold QX4150 (4-ch amp). I'll have to take it easy with the volume for a while! At a later date I'll install better speakers and add another amp along with a sub. Unfortunately there was no chance of fitting my old 2x 15" R/Fosgates in the boot of an M3!

Thanks for the help + advice.