Re: new EATX PC: switching case (SilverStone SETA D1 to Corsair Carbide 500R)?

On Mon, 15 Dec 2025 23:35:35 -0500, Paul wrote:

> On Mon, 12/15/2025 3:21 PM, David Chmelik wrote:
>> Last couple years we discussed new PC I had built and added more
>> hardware to earlier this Autumn.  It has a GigaByte Aorus X870E Xtreme
>> AI Top in a SilverStone SETA D1.  However, the PCIe-to-PCI riser card &
>> cable didn't enable the Creative Labs SoundBlaster Audigy 2ZS Platinum
>> with front panel; maybe some hardware/compatibility issue with the
>> riser?  I'm thinking of removing that (sadly) and switching whole PC to
>> a white Corsair Carbide 500R (nicer-looking) with ESI Maya44 XTE II and
>> volume knob boxes on the cables.  However, I read this Corsair case
>> prevents plugging-in some SATA when you use EATX.  Would this be an
>> issue with my system-/logic-board?  Right now I only have a SATA HDD
>> (16 TB), and multi-
>> function hub ('media dashboard) front panel (eSATA, which came in handy
>> for backup) but in future might plugin two optical drives and
>> temporarily other drives.  Might this work or would you suggest stick
>> with the SilverStone?
>> 
>> 
> Corsair Carbide Series 500R Black Steel Motherboard Compatibility   
> Micro ATX / ATX  12" x 9.6"
It fits EATX as long as you may not use some SATA or make a hole for 
some.  How hard might that be to cut?  I don't think most local PC shops 
do stuff like that anymore...

> X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP (Rev. 1.x)
> Form Factor   E-ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 26.9cm
>                                    12"  x 10.6"
> 
> *******
> 
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_Component_Interconnect
> 
> -12V
>         +12V
> +5V                            # Keying 5V, 3.3V, universal
>         3.3Vaux (optional)
> +3.3V
> 
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express         # Scroll down for
> table
> 
> +12V
>          +3.3V
> 
> +3.3Vaux
> 
> For a riser to operate a PCI card, requires a regulator to make +5V.
> The -12V is missing, so that takes a switcher to convert +12V to -12V.
> 
> For the riser to be compliant, it has to do a good job of attending to
> the supplies that run the card.
> 
> A sound card should not have a huge power demand, but it would like
> voltage switch for operational amplifiers, so the -12V would come in
> handy.
> 
> *******
> 
> The driver situation for your sound card, sounds a bit crusty.
> 
> https://www.reddit.com/r/SoundBlasterOfficial/comments/hxmw66/
audigy_2_platinum_ex_on_win10_fail/
> 
> That might be more of a problem.
> 
> Have you ever tried running a Linux Live session on the machine,
> to see if Linux can get a basic 2 channel sound running ?
> 
> This would help prove out whether the hardware has the voltages it needs
> and so on.

As I think I've said, all I use is UNIX/GNU/Linux.  Only the PCIe-to-PCI 
riser card is detected.