Question Installing a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS on a Modern PC – Need Advice

[Smol Shippie]

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to install a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS on my modern PC and could use some advice. Since my motherboard (GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX) doesn’t have a PCI slot, I plan to use the StarTech.com PCIe to PCI Adapter (PEX1PCI1) to connect it.

Before I proceed, I want to make sure I won’t run into major compatibility issues. Has anyone successfully installed this card (or a similar PCI sound card) using an adapter on a modern motherboard? If so:

1. Will the StarTech adapter work for this card, or is there a better alternative?
2. Are there any BIOS settings or Windows configurations I should be aware of to get it recognized properly?
3. Have you encountered driver issues, and if so, how did you resolve them?

I know there can be compatibility problems with older Creative drivers on modern Windows, so I’m considering using Daniel_K’s modified drivers if needed. If anyone has experience with these on Windows 10/11, I’d appreciate any insights.

Here are my current PC specs:

• Motherboard: GIGABYTE B650 Gaming X AX
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D 8-Core, 16-Thread Desktop Processor
• GPU: Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming OC 24G
• RAM: G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo RGB Series DDR5 RAM 32GB (2x16GB) 6000MT/s
• PSU: CORSAIR HX1200 80PLUS PLATINUM MODULAR 1200W 13.5CM
• Storage: SAMSUNG 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB - M.2
• Air Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S chromax.Black, 120mm Single-Tower CPU Cooler
• Fan: Noctua NF-P14s redux-1200 PWM
• Case: Fractal Design Define 7 XL
• Monitor: ASUS ROG Strix XG27UQ

I’m specifically looking for hardware installation guidance—not software tweaks or sound settings. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[COLGeek]

Seems you will be fine without using modified drivers (but always have that option). I'm just not sure what you'll gain by doing this (aside from just doing it).

Have you tried this yet?

 

[faalin]

Is there a reason for the card? Being that it was released in 2003 and is 22 years old, i would say the onboard audio would be better.


For what your going to pay for an adapter card you could pick up a Asus Xonar SE sound card and not have to go though all the hassle of getting an old card to work.

 

[stonecarver]

Is there a reason for the card? Being that it was released in 2003 and is 22 years old, i would say the onboard audio would be better.

👍

 

[BFG-9000]

Unlike Live! The Audigy 2 ZS will actually work with more than 4GB of system RAM installed, but unfortunately recordings from microphone or line-in will be distorted + choppy as Creative's official WHQL drivers aren't truly 64-bit compatible and this problem persists in Windows 10 and 11.

Besides Daniel_K there are also the kX project drivers to try but both are now 4 years old.