How to install sound cards without PCIe slots

[mattlu]

Hello. I have built a cheap gaming rig, and it's done. All I need to know now is whether or not my motherboard supports 7.1 or 5.1 surround sound, and if it doesnt, how can I install a new sound card if I dont have another PCIe slot due to my GPU.

The motherboard I have is an Asus H81M-K, Micro-ATX, and I'm currently using on-board sound.

 

[psoohoo]

There are USB ones, not sure how much latency there is with them and the CPU Usage. Both Asus and Creative Labs makes a 7.1 USB external sound "card'

 

[Wolfshadw]

Unless you're using a triple width graphics card, you should be able to install a PCI-Ex1 sound card in your one remaining PCI-Ex1 slot (unless you prefer to keep it open for cooling purposes).

-Wolf sends