Which PCI slot ?

[Stan]

Hi,

Does it matter in which PCI slot you install a sound card ?

Thanks

Stan

[Bovon]

Probably. Tell us something about your system.

[Mighty Mike]

I dont think it matters. Pci is Pci. From my experience with running 95,98.
Good Luck.. Mighty..

[zskillz]

sorry mike, but for whatever reason, it often times does make a difference. I belive that it has something to do with how irq's are assigned via the slot, but don't quote me on that.

anyway, just stick the card in one, and see if everything works... if not, try putting it in a different one...
I have found that to be the easiest technique

-Z

[Brangwen]

Tuckerstanley:

Yes, welcome. Can always use more advisors! I had to look at your profile and noticed that was your first post.

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[suzuki1]

Most of the newer cards and drivers support irq sharing. As long as your's supports it you are ok!

[AuraEdge]

Usually the key is to stay away from PCI Slot 1 if you have an AGP card, because that slot often shares an IRQ with the AGP card, and AGP are very greedy with thier IRQ - Any sharing and you may have problems.
Different boards IRQ's work differently.
Sharing an IRQ doesnt mean that your going to have a problem, but it is a possible factor that may cause a problem.

[eweruk]

Your mobo manual should tell you the IRQ's assigned to the PCI slots. It does help to have the cards in the right slots to reduce IRQ conflicts and even speed up hardware access times. Some boards also share IRQ's for slots.

[Stan]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies...

I don't have any problems with my PC, but I just wanted to have more info on that matter.
Some people say that a sound card should be installed in the 3rd PCI slot, others say it does not matter...

Thanks

Stan

[tuckerstanley]

THe sound card normally uses irq 5 and unless you have set your motherboard slot (pci and/or isa) to manual, there will not be a problem. If you are using winME and the sound card is an older type you might have to use the manual configuration to assign irq 5 to the sound card.

[Stan]

Hey... welcome to Sysopt tuckerstanley !!!
And thanks for your post...

Stan