Upgraded 7970 to 290x now Realtek Audio always unplugged.

Tanquen

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 15, 2005
Messages
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Did reinstall of Audio drivers and updated the Asus X79 BISO. Reseated all the audio cables and HD97 motherboard connection.

Always something. :(
 
It is listed but just says “Not plugged in” with a red arrow. It’s like whatever way it detects that you have an audio cable (speakers) plugged in is broken. I know it’s still working though. I can change the front panel mic and headset ports to AC97 from HD and I can then get sound out of only that headphone port but it won’t even try the back panel and I don’t see a way to force it to. Like it just thinks that nothing is plugged in so it disables it. :( I tried putting the 7970 back in and did a system restore but no luck. I even have a Windows 8 test OS that I had used in the past and it can’t see the speakers plugged in either. So I think something got fried. Not sure how though, I’m always really carful and everything was turned off.
 
Did reinstall of Audio drivers and updated the Asus X79 BISO. Reseated all the audio cables and HD97 motherboard connection.

Always something. :(

Hi Tanquen,

Did you try doing a total reflash of your BIOS with the reset flags for the DMI reset? I don't know if this applies. But I always reformat when I install a new video card. It usually solves some OS/Game issues that I have when I get new hardware.

Also, aside from the lack of audio. How does the 290X handle with your 30 inch monitor? Was it noticeable upgrade going from the HD 7970 to a 290X at 2560x1600 gaming?
 
It is listed but just says “Not plugged in” with a red arrow. It’s like whatever way it detects that you have an audio cable (speakers) plugged in is broken. I know it’s still working though. I can change the front panel mic and headset ports to AC97 from HD and I can then get sound out of only that headphone port but it won’t even try the back panel and I don’t see a way to force it to. Like it just thinks that nothing is plugged in so it disables it. :( I tried putting the 7970 back in and did a system restore but no luck. I even have a Windows 8 test OS that I had used in the past and it can’t see the speakers plugged in either. So I think something got fried. Not sure how though, I’m always really carful and everything was turned off.

If the onboard audio died on you. You can always get a Creative Titanium HD (or the Z series) and enjoy high quality audio ;)
 
Hi Tanquen,

Did you try doing a total reflash of your BIOS with the reset flags for the DMI reset? I don't know if this applies. But I always reformat when I install a new video card. It usually solves some OS/Game issues that I have when I get new hardware.

Also, aside from the lack of audio. How does the 290X handle with your 30 inch monitor? Was it noticeable upgrade going from the HD 7970 to a 290X at 2560x1600 gaming?

There was a new BIOS so I installed it and reset it to default. Was thinking of trying the clear BIOS button on the motherboard but I don't think it will matter.

So far it's ok. I would not recommend it. I only did the upgrade because I have some minded Bitcoin burning a hole in me pocket. I had gotten a $1000 Amazon gift card the last time Bitcoin was at $1000 and Amazon (not a third party) had 2 in stock one night for $600. The card closest to the side of the case throttles right away but some quick tests before it gets too hot look promising. The plan is to water cool so I’m ok with that. I ran the built in benchmarks in a few games before the swap. I can overclock to 1080MHz just using the built in OverDrive settings. God the new interface is bad.

Maxed settings at 2560x1600

Company of Hears 2 (No CF support)
7970___Min 9.93____Max 26.95___Avg 18.82
290x___Min 14.93___Max 40.59___Avg 28.10

Tomb Rader
7970 CF____Min 50.9____Max 79.8_____Avg 65.3
290x_______Min 38.0____Max 58.3_____Avg 48.2
290x CF____Min 68______Max 94______Avg 81.2
 
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If the onboard audio died on you. You can always get a Creative Titanium HD (or the Z series) and enjoy high quality audio ;)

As long as there is no buzzing I can’t really tell any difference in the $75-$250 audio cards and the newer onboard audio. I started out with the ASRock and thought the Game Blaster card it came with would be cool but it was a pain. If I can’t get it running again I think I'll just go for the ($29) ASUS Xonar DGX 5.1 Channels PCI Express x1 card. Only need 5.1 and the HD front port connector. I don't really want to swap out the motherboard and be without for a few weeks.
 
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If you buy a sound card get one with a decent headphone amplifier. Everything else is irrelevant. I believe the ASUS Xonar DG that is around $40 has a headphone amp. It truly makes a big difference if you use headphones for gaming or music.
 
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