Creative
Creative Sound Blaster AE-9
PCIe x1 · 5.1 discrete, 7.1 virtual · 129 dB
8.2
$427Nov 9
Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus
A gaming-focused PCIe sound card with a 122 dB DAC, Xamp headphone amp, RGB lighting and DTS or Dolby encoding.
- PCIe x1
- 5.1 discrete, 7.1 virtual
- 122 dB
PCPR score
7.8
Good
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R1
The short version
The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a gaming PCIe sound card with a SABRE-class DAC rated at 122 dB DNR and up to 32-bit/384 kHz playback, a discrete Xamp headphone bi-amp, Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding, and Aurora RGB lighting. It offers discrete 5.1 on speakers and 7.1 virtual surround on speakers and headphones. It suits gamers who want more headphone drive and surround processing than onboard audio, provided the PC has a free PCIe slot and a spare Molex connector for the lighting.
Pros
- SABRE-class DAC rated at 122 dB DNR with 32-bit/384 kHz playback
- Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding
- Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp
- Aurora RGB lighting
Cons
- RGB lighting needs a 4-pin Molex power connection
- Discrete surround stops at 5.1 on speakers
Best for
- PC gamers who want surround encoding and a headphone amp
- RGB-themed builds
J3
Full specifications
Core
- Interface
- PCIe x1
- Channels
- 5.1 discrete, 7.1 virtual
Performance
- Signal-to-noise
- 122 dB
- Max sample rate
- 384 kHz
- Bit depth
- 32 bit
Compatibility notes
- Requires a free PCIe slot.
- Aurora RGB lighting needs a 4-pin Molex connector from the power supply, per Creative.
P1
Where to buy
- Buy from the maker
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AV1
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R9
Common questions
Does the AE-5 Plus need extra power?
Only for its Aurora RGB lighting, which Creative says uses a 4-pin Molex peripheral connector from the power supply.
Does it support Dolby and DTS encoding?
Yes. Creative lists Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding, which send surround formats over optical out.
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