Looking to install 2 sound cards.....just trying to see if anyone else has tried this

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Dont want to run both at the same time..one will be 2ch w/sw the other would be a 5.1 system..one will be for music ( 2 ch ) and the 5.1 will be for my gaming...
 

Ian

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I've never heard of that before, but there's no reason why it's not possible.

Out of interest, why do you want to have two different cards - are they very specialised?
 
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Actually, there is a reason it cannot be done. I have seen this attempted many years ago with XP. And in each attempt, it was a nightmare. The idea was for Windows "sounds" to go through one card (or integrated sound), and music from CDs, MP3s, and videos to play through another card.

It was a nightmare because Windows only allows one device set as the default device at one time. This has not changed with modern versions of Windows.

Now, it has been accomplished with 3rd party software such as Virtual Audio Cable but frankly, I think it might be easier to just set a separate audio receiver and speakers and input source near your computer.
 

Ian

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Ah, I didn't realise there was a limitation like this. Thanks for the heads up.
 
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Yeah, sound cards are not like graphics cards or even network cards where you can run multiple graphics cards for better performance or multiple monitor setups or connect to more than one network. The OS just does not expect the user wanting to send all sounds to two different places (other than speakers and headsets).

This is not unique to Windows either. Linux users have similar issues.

If someone can find an easy solution, I sure would be interested - out of curiosity, if nothing else.
 

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