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

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?

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

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

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"

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.

Paul

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: 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"

X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP (Rev. 1.x)
Form Factor E-ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 26.9cm
12" x 10.6"

EATX fits but people had to cut case hole for more SATA. I doubt I'll,
but might pay PC shop to (if they do).

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 ? [...]

I maybe stated before I ONLY use UNIX/GNU/Linux (where the card isn't detected).

This would help prove out whether the hardware has the voltages it needs
and so on.

So you're saying I may need to add some more hardware to get it to work?


--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

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

On Thu, 12/18/2025 6:58 PM, David Chmelik wrote:

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"

X870E AORUS XTREME AI TOP (Rev. 1.x)
Form Factor E-ATX Form Factor; 30.5cm x 26.9cm
12" x 10.6"

EATX fits but people had to cut case hole for more SATA. I doubt I'll,
but might pay PC shop to (if they do).

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 ? [...]

I maybe stated before I ONLY use UNIX/GNU/Linux (where the card isn't detected).

This would help prove out whether the hardware has the voltages it needs
and so on.

So you're saying I may need to add some more hardware to get it to work?

I'm suggesting an OS change, to where the hardware has a driver, to see
if the hardware requirements are satisfied or not.

Windows has infinite grace now (does not stop booting), rather than just 30 days.
You can download whatever OS version will boot on the machine and use the OS for test.
Drivers are auto-loading after install. You can check Device Manager and
watch as unsatisfied drivers are downloaded and Device Manager gets cleaned up.

There are some exceptions. My TV tuner card from Hauppauge, neither Windows nor Linux is fully functional via automation. On Linux I have to get a firmware file from a private web site. On Windows, I have to use the DVD that comes in the product box, for a driver. This is because Hauppauge does not submit drivers
to Microsoft, so the automation cannot load the driver. If your card was
in that unfortunate circumstance, then changing to Windows temporarily for hardware testing, might require additional effort on your part (download a Windows driver from the sound card manufacturer).

I expect your riser has small power sources for the voltages, but
whether it has -12V (a useful voltage for op amps), that would be
a good question.

Paul

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)

Subject: 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.

--- PyGate Linux v1.5.2
* Origin: Dragon's Lair, PyGate NNTP<>Fido Gate (3:633/10)