Help me decide what to do with my slot. . .

Profozone · 04-04-2007, 03:36 PM

Ok, no flames. This is the newb section.

I have one PCI slot open on the Via motherboard I bought and I want to know opinions on the best way to use it. I have 3 thoughts in my mind, which is 3 more than normal.
1. Video
2. Audio
3. PCI to USB converter.

First the video, I don't know that I'll need rockin' video in the car from what I've heard. It sounds like the onboard video should be enough.

Audio would be good, because I kind of want the 5.1 surround sound thing happening. The only problems I see are that using a card like that could be more expensive than a USB Sound Blaster doohickey. Plus the Sound Blaster will provided a master volume control for the computer, which I like.

PCI to USB might be good since everything seems to be USB these days. But I know nothing about them. Do they work? Are they troublesome? Also, I think I might just have enough with the ones that come on the board.

So don't be shy, pipe up and make suggestions, correct any info above I may have wrong or just tell me to leave the stupid slot blank.

Thanks.

DarquePervert · 04-04-2007, 04:01 PM

My suggestion is to use nothing in your PCI slot until you determine a need.

2k1Toaster · 04-04-2007, 04:18 PM

Bad thread title!

And what DP said. why put it in, if you don't need it?

Siezmik · 04-04-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Bad thread title!

Thank goodness I'm not the only pervert around here!

nobb · 04-04-2007, 06:40 PM

When I designed my carputer, I took out all the useless PCI cards. Saves power. PCI>USB would be useful only if your current motherboard does not have usb 2.0.

Profozone · 04-04-2007, 09:39 PM

LOL! Didn't realize when I titled it how is sounded. Too funny.

Ok, I can live without sticking something in there. That was actually plan A.

Thanks for the opinions. . . you dirty minded little websurfers!

h3rk · 04-04-2007, 09:47 PM

In general every time I tried to fill all the holes just 'cause they were there, I regretted it. Later on I found need for some other periferals and purchased them, replacing the space fillers, and retro-actively wasted money. With Moore's law and the like, by the time you discover the need for the 'slot-filler' the products available will be better than the one you would have originally purchased anyway, even if you predicted the right type of device. Just my $.02.

DodgeCummins · 04-05-2007, 09:39 PM

Do you have a mini-itx motherboard that only has one slot?

Or do you have a motherboard that already has a bunch of stuff plugged in.

If it is the mini-itx mobo...VIA makes a 2 slot PCI adapter for it. I am using it to run a graphics card and wireless card.

If is other...I have used a USB sound card...it worked just fine...but not as good as a nice PCI card would...but I am using onboard sound now...and with most music I can't tell the difference.

You don't need a PCI ethernet card...use USB for that.

I guess your mobo doesn't have onboard USB either...it must be an old or interesting mobo...yes you can add a pci usb card...I have about 5 usb devices I run on my computer.

Tell us more about the mobo.