I actually have a mobo with an AC'97 sound chip, and I'm planning to get a PCI sound card for Xmas (as a gift).

I wonder if I can install the PCI sound card and plug the speakers in, and keep the AC'97 chip with a headset permanently plugged in. Then I'll just have to chose where I want the sound from.

Would that work?

Anyone?

Please!

I have never heard of anyone running both at the same time. I think that on most system boards the on board sound is disabled when it sees a sound card in the PCI. That or you have to turn it off in the BIOS.

Maybe some sound Guru has a better answer. Congrats on the Xmas goodie....

put as many sound cards as you want
Im sure as you have to specifiy the prefered playback
the prefered recording
and the prefered midi
from the following menu
start, control panel, sound and multimedia, audio (tab)
choose the device you want to use for each and it will do so

it will most likley disable the onboard when the PCI one is plugged in automatically. and if not.. expect conflicts and problems.

But it might work. of course you will have to setup the prefs properly (those options are in windows for a reason.. IT IS possible) as mcgowan said above. i did it on a packard bell PC of mine years ago, worked fine but didnt see the point... you have done something i didnt.. found a point!

Thanx to all.

I'm gonna try this, if I receive the sound card...

It works, I use a cheap £10 sound card that I bought for my microphone (I use teamspeak alot in games) and my onboard AC'97 for sound out, i get lots of lag with the sound card for sound out. You just have to select the right source in Control Panel->Sounds->Audio.

I have a mate who uses onboard sound with two speakers for teamspeak and a 6.1 set up for games