49 replies to this topic

[Howzer]

I have a P9X79 Mobo driver question (Windows 7/64 bit). I am downloading drivers from the ASUS site and under chipset they have:

Intel Management Engine Interface V9.5.15.1730 for Win 32/64 (7/8/8.1). 58.65 MB. 2014.04.09

and

Intel Chipset Software Installation Utility V9.3.2.1015 for Win 32/64 XP/Vista/7/8/8.1. 255.38 MB. 2013.11.12

Do I need both and if so, does it matter which order I load them?

[Goose]

You don't need the "management" stuff.

Here: http://forums.anandt...d.php?t=2305711

[Howzer]

I did have to eventually install drivers for the Management Engine Interface as there was a missing driver for the PCI Simple Communications Controller that resolved after installing the Engine drivers

I am having an audio problem however: The monitor speakers work via the HDMI cable but I can't get the High Def Audio to work off the back panel or the front headphone jack. It is not a default audio device issue as changing the default or using test sounds fail to work. I do have an issue in one of the 3 High Definition Audio Controllers under system devices in Device Manager. Two of the controllers appear to be working correctly. The one at PCI bus 2, device 0, function 1 has an error: This device cannot start. (Code 10). I have tried updating the driver. I have tried uninstalling and then scanning for hardware changes. I have done the same in safe mode and there was no error initially but as soon as I clicked on the audio icon in the system tray then there was an error. I originally installed the audio drivers off of the Asus site (along with chip set, LAN and USB drivers). There were 3 downloads available under the audio drivers section. I later tried the next most recent update and the oldest update but didn't help. I do have the Catalyst 14-4 suite installed

As a reminder my setup:
Windows 7 pro 64
Mobo: Asus P9X79
CPU: 4820K
RAM: 8G x 2, 1600
GPU: two XFX R9 290's

Under Sound, video and game controllers in Device Manager, I have
-AMD High Definition Audio Device
-High Definition Audio Device

Any ideas?

Edited by Howzer, 22 June 2014 - 06:53 PM.

[Lord Letto]

maybe check for audio options in the BIOS and make sure it's enabled, if audio is disabled in BIOS then it won't work from front or back panel. also, maybe double check that audio cables are hooked up to the correct pins inside the case.

[Howzer]

Audio is on in the BIOS. I don't think it's a cable issue as I can't get the back panel to work either. Asus support walked me through a manual install of drivers and no help. They suggested a clean reinstall of windows which I did tonight. No problem in device manager now but audio still doesn't work. I think it is a hardware issue. I was going to exchange the MOBO but now I am leaning toward getting a USB external sound card instead. Otherwise the MOBO seems fine. Is there any reason I should not go with an external card such as the Soundblaster Interface X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro ($50)?

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829102035

[Catamount]

Howzer, that's expensive. You can get a Xonar U3 cheaper.

However, I would get neither. The Frequency response on USB sound cards tends to leave much to be desired. It's far and away inferior even to modern integrated soundcards. I would suggest you get a PCI or PCIE Xonar, the model depending on whether you ultimately intend to use speakers or headphones.

For headphones the DG or DGX is nice for the built-in amp (the X is just the PCIE 1x variant), and can be had for $30 and $40 respectively, with an additional $10 MiR on both. For speakers, I would at least get a Xonar DS or DSX for $55-$60, also with a $10 MiR available.

I tend to find Asus has better drivers than Creative, I like Dolby better than CMSS3D (personal preference), and in general, Asus software provides what I find to be vastly superior sound customizability.

Edited by Catamount, 24 June 2014 - 06:49 PM.

[Howzer]

I found a refurbished Xonar DX on Newegg for $40

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16829132032

Haven't decided on speakers yet. Will have 3 Asus VX238H 23" monitors for now (3rd one is on the way). May upgrade to 2560 x 1440 27" later on. If so, what type of connections are needed if I want to do eyefinity across 3 of these. Can DVI-D or display port take full advantage of the 1440?

[Catamount]

The DX is a really nice sound card if you want to use actual speakers. I didn't recommend it by name because it's usually more expensive. Just make sure you really want to do speakers, and not headphones. I still say headphones are the better gaming device by far, but an amp is desirable for many, making the DG or DGX better (unless you want to buy an amp). I won't continue to bug on that subject, though.

For Eyefinity, any of the display connectors will feed a 1440p monitor. DVI-D does with dual-link , and display port and HDMI can both feed 4k monitors, each, so 1440p is nothing for them.

Edited by Catamount, 25 June 2014 - 07:36 PM.

[Howzer]

I have the Xonar DX card installed (it arrived really quickly). speakers and front headphone jack all working well. Just have to switch to wanted output location through software but not a big deal. Sounds surprisingly good through the low end speakers and headphones I have laying around. The DAC's must be pretty good.

I have the 3 Asus 23" monitors in an Eyefinity setup and everything is working well. The picture is a little stretched in the 2 side monitors only when in MWO (like looking a the edge of a wide angle lens). I have it set to 5760 x 1080 and windowed. Have half the settings set to very high and half to medium (particles, shading, post processing, shading and environment). AA set to post AA. Vsync, motion blur and damage glow off. DX11. Am getting around 30-40 FPS in battle.

1) Is there anything to fix the stretching of the lateral portions of the video in MWO?
2) Any suggested tweaks to improve FPS, short of overclocking?
3) Thank you all for your help. I liked building the computer and now feel more competent working with computers. You guys were right about building your own.

[Catamount]

Unfortunately, because MWO doesn't support Crossfire well that's as good as you're going to do for now without fudging the Crossfire support, which a number of threads discuss. Overclocking your CPU is certainly easy enough and might help modestly, and I certainly recommend doing at least a stock voltage OC anyways, but you're mostly GPU-bound.

You can OC your GPU but that's generally a more complicated affair, though not too bad. If you do, let me just say that core clocks are safe to modify (the worst it can do is crash and make you restart), but be careful with VRAM. Non-reference coolers often don't cool VRAM, and regardless, it's something you can fry, even at stock voltage, if you push too hard and it overheats.

Edited by Catamount, 28 June 2014 - 06:21 AM.