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Green PCI sound card with gold edge connector and silver 5.1 audio jacks, plus low-profile bracket

Optimal Shop 8541594818 5.1 Sound Card Low Profile Bracket

SKU CH-9ZXB-PBSW5

PCI sound card delivers 5.1 channel surround audio with a low-profile bracket for compact desktops

  • Interface typePCI
  • Part type or number8541594818
  • Audio channels5.1
  • Sample rate96 kHz
  • SNR10 decibels
  • Product dimensions4.0 in × 0.8 in × 3.0 in
  • 1 surround sound for cinematic audio
  • Low-profile bracket fits 2U and slim cases
  • CMI8738 chip handles 32/64-bit processing
  • 96 KHz sample rate captures detailed audio
  • PCI interface installs in standard desktop slots

5.1 PCI sound card for desktop PCs

This internal audio card adds 5.1 surround sound to a Windows desktop through a standard PCI slot. It uses the CMI8738 chip and supports 32-bit and 64-bit audio processing for playback and recording. The 16-bit multimedia decoder handles DirectSound, A3D and EAX 3D positional audio. A low-profile bracket is included for installation in 2U chassis.

Bandwidth and driver limits of the PCI interface

The card connects via a legacy PCI bus, which restricts data throughput compared to modern PCIe audio devices. Driver support is listed for Windows XP, 7 and 10 only, with no mention of Windows 11 or Linux compatibility. The published signal-to-noise ratio is 10 decibels, which is low for critical listening or recording work. Users must disable the onboard audio device in Device Manager to avoid conflicts.

5.1 channel output decides suitability

This product is built specifically for 5.1 analogue speaker sets and will not provide 7.1 or higher channel counts. It is not for buyers who need a higher signal-to-noise ratio, digital S/PDIF output or native Windows 11 drivers. Builders requiring a PCIe x1 interface or external volume control should look elsewhere.

How it compares

Measured against everything we stock in Internal & USB Sound Cards, at today’s prices. Recalculated every night.

Price $27.99
Cheaper than about 57% of the 185 comparable items (median $29.99).

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Specifications

Product
Brand nameOptimal Shop
Model name8541594818
Part number8541594818
Part type or number8541594818
Audio & video
Audio channels5.1
Ports & slots
Interface typePCI
Size & build
Product dimensions4.0 in × 0.8 in × 3.0 in
Product weight0.11 kg
More details
Sample rate96 kHz
SNR10 decibels

Questions about this item

Is the 5.1-channel version the only channel option for this Optimal Shop sound card?

Yes, the card is built for 5.1 surround output and no other channel configuration is offered for this model.

What does the 10 decibel signal-to-noise ratio mean when the card is installed in a PC?

A 10 dB SNR indicates a relatively high noise floor, so background hiss may be audible during quiet passages or when no audio is playing.

Will the PCI interface limit the 96 KHz sample rate in practice?

The legacy PCI bus provides ample bandwidth for 96 KHz 5.1 audio, so the interface does not cap the stated sample rate.

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