DSATX and PCI Sound

**speedjunkie** · 01-30-2006, 03:11 PM

Summary:
I'm getting no sound from PCI SB Audigy 2 ZS when pc running off DSATX 220W. Actually, if you listen very close you can hear there is sound but it's so low that it's practically not there.

PC Specs:
Mobo: Asus P4P800-VM (Socket 478) w/ P4 2.0 GHz CPU (55watts) & 1x 512 DDR 2100 RAM
LCD: DWW-700H (running off DSATX) (12 watts)
Video: Onboard S3/Unichrome
HDD: 80GB 3.5" IDE Ultra ATA-100 (9.25 watts)
Sound: PCI SB Audigy 2 ZS (onboard disabled)
PSU: DSATX 220w
USB HUB (powered via DSATX) (14 watts max)
USB Wireless
USB KB
PS2 RF Mouse
USB GPS
See LINK for full spec details

Theory:
I'm thinking the DSATX isn't providing enough power on the 3.3v rail to power the card.
This means not enough power to put the almost 2v to each jack (as per SB's specs).
Would explain why there is sound but it is very low volume?
Of course this is just speculation at this point and my facts may be wrong.

Troubleshooting:
I tried other cards and got the same results. Other card was an older Aureal.
Both cards work fine in other machines.
Both cards work fine in carpc when running normal AC ATX PSU (200w)
...but both fail to push sound when using the DSATX.

While running on DSATX, the voltages show ~11.75 to 11.8X, 4.9X, and 3.2X.

I tried two different motherboards (PM8M-V and P4P800-VM). No sound

I tried both cards in all of the 3 pci slots of each mobo. no sound

I tried unplugging all unnecessary devices (DVD, case fan, floppy (never plugged in anyway), and all USB devices except mouse and kb)... no sound

I tried all jacks - no sound from any

I tried using headphones - same thing, no sound

I've tried a few online power supply calculators and most show I need a ~200w PSU to run ALL the devices I would normally use. So the DSATX should do this without breaking a sweat (assuming I'm not stressing a particular rail).

I searched the forum and didn't find anything related to this (nothing that helped anyway).

I spoke to zootjeff regarding this and he was super cool - great guy to deal with. He had a few suggestions but there's only so much he can do without hands on. He was eager for me to send it back for repair, but instead I think I'll buy another one and swap to see if the new one does the same. Then I'll send one of the two back (he was cool with that idea two). This way, I'm not out of order for 2-3 weeks while it's in transit.

Keep in mind I'm not saying this unit is defective - I don't know that yet. It's more likely I'm asking it to do something it wasn't designed to do (although, if I were overloading it I'd get a 5 LED blink fault... no?)
Other than this issue, the DSATX has been amazing!

Surely there must be someone else out there using a DSATX and an SB Audigy 2 ZS?

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

**MibMib** · 01-23-2007, 09:38 AM

And what abut this ?

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-23-2007, 10:11 AM

MibMib...what are you getting at? are you just bumping the thread?

**durwood** · 01-23-2007, 11:37 AM

What were you trying to play? Music? DVD? What software were you using? Front End, DVD/media player? Did you install all the software that came with the card? I don't think it's your hardware, sounds like software.

**MibMib** · 01-23-2007, 12:47 PM

Both cards work fine in carpc when running normal AC ATX PSU (200w)

Yup!

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-23-2007, 01:07 PM

can you let us know what the normal AC PSU has avaliable on the 3v rail?

i'm interested in finding a solution as well since I'm going to be running the DSATX as well with a PCI sound card (with 5v outs)

**durwood** · 01-23-2007, 01:46 PM

Troubleshooting:
I tried other cards and got the same results. Other card was an older Aureal.
Both cards work fine in other machines.
Both cards work fine in carpc when running normal AC ATX PSU (200w)
...but both fail to push sound when using the DSATX.

Sorry I didn't read close enough.

How loud is it with the DC-DC PSU? This sounds really strange now that I think about it. If the voltage is 3.2V, then its supplying enough voltage. I don;t think its a current issue because usually the voltage would drop or you would have other computer problems.

Are you sure you have a solid ground point for your DC-DC PSU?

**MibMib** · 01-24-2007, 10:02 AM

RedGTiVR6
durwood

i don't know what is the problem......I am intrested in this thread because i am develpoing now my own PSU ( 400W fully isolated), and i think i can get some problems like in this thread......or NOT!

Ок - if you look at the pci pins - you can find 4 tiypicaly uses voltages , they are : +3.3, +5,-12,+12 volts......... DSATX produces all this voltages ....... and i can't understand - why that man had a problem with sound

I realy want to understand this

**RedGTiVR6** · 01-24-2007, 10:31 AM

no ideas on my end - really difficult to trouble shoot when you're not there in front of it.

**durwood** · 01-24-2007, 10:47 AM

I didn't realize the PCI bus has all 4 voltages associated with it. There does seem to be a problem with power I think.

@ speedjunkie

Can you list the current ratings for each voltage rail on each PSU AC-DC and DC-DC. Maybe there is a difference there that might help explain it.

Maybe contact creative labs to see if they would reveal to you whcih voltage rail is used for the analog section of the card. I'm guessing -12 and +12V since you usually need both a +/- for preamps or powering opamps and such... Unless they are performing a dc-dc conversion onboard of the soudncard to increase the voltage of another rail for use on the analog section. If it's the 12 volt rails, then that might be where your problem lies. The most power hungry device using 12V is your P4.

@ MibMib

So are you designing /building a 400W dc-dc PSU solution? Plans for production or just for yourself?

Added: I just noticed the DSATX only has 100ma of current on the -12V rail. I wonder if that just isn't enough current to drive the analog output. I am just speculating though. hmmm...

I used an Audigy 2 ZS with my M10000 and M1-ATX with no problems. the current rating on the -12V is only 150mA so not much more than the DSATX though.