NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Forums › Dell Home (Inspiron, XPS, Studio) › Is this sound card compatible with the M90 D/Dock?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Is this sound card compatible with the M90 D/Dock?

post #1 of 21
8/19/07 at 10:28pm
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, I was looking to buy a 5.1 speaker system (logitech z-5300e) and was wondering if this soundcard is compatible/install-able in the M90 D/Dock PCI slot.
Model is:
http://us.creative.com/products/prod...3&nav=features
thanksss again
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 21
8/20/07 at 5:35am
I don't think it will. If the card extends beyond the last pin of the PCI connector it won't fit the Dock's slot...which is a half-length slot. I've never had an X-Fi card physically available to me to test with. I have an old Audigy 2 that I know will fit because it's a bit more compact. So you might want to look at other Creative options or even options from other vendors.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 21
8/20/07 at 2:54pm
You could consider the ExpressCard version of the Creative X-Fi, which will fit in your M90 and give you 7.1 output.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 21
8/21/07 at 6:16am
Thread Starter 
Would this make it compatible?

http://us.creative.com/products/prod...&product=16915
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 21
8/21/07 at 3:13pm
Negative, that's a half-height bracket. The DDock's PCI slot is full height but half-length. The Expresscard would be your best option really.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 21
8/21/07 at 4:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrEvil View Post
Negative, that's a half-height bracket. The DDock's PCI slot is full height but half-length. The Expresscard would be your best option really.
Are there any audio cards available in Expresscard format? I had looked for one last year, but there were no options available at that time. Just checked newegg, and I didn't seem to find anything there except PCMCIA solutions. If you know of any audio cards in Expresscard format, do you have any recommendations? I'm really not happy with the software that came with my e1705 and should have realized that the $25 upgrade (at time of purchase) was for software, not hardware.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 21
8/21/07 at 11:28pm
Thread Starter 
I see in a parallel thread that you can use the X-Fi XtremeMusic card in the dock? Can anyone verify this because others said they've used it iin the other thread.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 21
8/22/07 at 12:42am
ChrisLilley just mentioned there's an Expresscard X-Fi available. I couldn't find it on newegg with a quick search (it could be they don't have it categorized)

I wouldn't count on the Extreme music working either. It seems that Creative has taken to making half-height cards which fit low-profile mATX or mBTX systems. However, reducing the height of the board increases its length. The people with X-Fi cards in their DDocks probably have older versions of the board that are half-length. If you buy one and gamble on it being able to fit, buy it from some place that won't charge you a 15% restocking fee.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 21
8/22/07 at 3:10am
The only docking station I found was with the X-Fi for express/54. Dell and gateway are the only retailers in the US.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 21
8/22/07 at 12:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eep View Post
Are there any audio cards available in Expresscard format?

See message 3 of this thread.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Eep View Post
I'm really not happy with the software that came with my e1705 and should have realized that the $25 upgrade (at time of purchase) was for software, not hardware.

I really wish they had better hardware audio options, ideally built in (eg mini-PCI slot). With better, low noise, DACs and filtered power supplies for an audio headphone amp.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 21
8/22/07 at 12:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kirios View Post
The only docking station I found was with the X-Fi for express/54. Dell and gateway are the only retailers in the US.


In the UK, Pixmania has it (and also in France). I know that doesn't help someone in the US. Doesn't Best Buy, Circuit City, that sort of store carry it?
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 21
8/22/07 at 6:13pm
I'm running the X-Fi XtremeGamer Card in my D/Dock...
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 21
8/22/07 at 6:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrEvil View Post
Negative, that's a half-height bracket. The DDock's PCI slot is full height but half-length. The Expresscard would be your best option really.
Negative, the D/Dock has a half-height standard PCI slot. http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...4&sku=310-8112
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 21
8/22/07 at 6:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisLilley View Post
In the UK, Pixmania has it (and also in France). I know that doesn't help someone in the US. Doesn't Best Buy, Circuit City, that sort of store carry it?
The only retailer for the US is Dell or Gateway. I just ordered one and it's going to ship on the 28th since its back order. I bought razer barracudas HP-1 gaming headset and I'm going to try them with the creative docking station to see if they work, if not over $200 wasted :T
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 21
8/22/07 at 7:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kirios View Post
The only retailer for the US is Dell or Gateway. I just ordered one and it's going to ship on the 28th since its back order.
Did you order it from Dell? 'Usually ships in 24 hours' typically means they have them in stock. You never know with Dell though http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...s=19&c=us&l=en
Reply
Reply
post #16 of 21
8/22/07 at 9:22pm
Thread Starter 
PSYCHO you are my hero!!!
Do you know if I have to buy the half height bracket seperately from creative?
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 21
8/22/07 at 10:46pm
Yeah, I have the dock with an X-fi Xtrememusic card in it and it works great. No modifications. Normal retail PCI card. It fits just fine. I even have the Z5300's. They will be a bit punchy in the sub area, but you can tune it. In fact, I am getting the Pro breakout box and attaching that as well to have the ultimate in audio connections...

I did find with the 5 jack X-Fi's you will have to dremel out... you'll see what I mean when you go to hook headphones up... but you can get past that easily.
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 21
8/22/07 at 10:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yyan View Post
PSYCHO you are my hero!!! Do you know if I have to buy the half height bracket seperately from creative?
You don't need it, it will work out of the box with full size bracket...
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 21
8/23/07 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PSYCHO View Post
You don't need it, it will work out of the box with full size bracket...

Doesn't that make it a full-height slot, then? (Sorry to be dense. and thanks for the pictures).
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 21
8/23/07 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisLilley View Post
Doesn't that make it a full-height slot, then? (Sorry to be dense. and thanks for the pictures).
There seems to be room for a full size card but I have not tried it.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Notebook Manufacturers › Dell Forums › Dell Home (Inspiron, XPS, Studio) › Is this sound card compatible with the M90 D/Dock?