Crysis/Far Cry2 - Realtek - 5.1 surround sound problem

[akkies_2000]

I've just bought Logitech X-540 5.1 speakers and would be using them with onboard Realtek chip. However, I'm not able to get 5.1 sound for neither Crysis nor Far Cry 2. I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate. I don't understand what the issue is. In Realtek HD Audio Manager I've set things right as front l/r, side l/r and center/subwoofer, but the problem persists.

I've tried running some 5.1 supported movie files which are running fine. Also tried 5.1 wma files which are again working fine; just some issues with games.

I plan to buy a soundcard only if I'm not satisfied with onboard solution; so plan to figure it out within next couple of weeks. Pls suggest a fix for this problem before I think about dedicated sound card.

[asingh]

Get the latest drivers for your Realtek.

[akkies_2000]

I've already installed the latest drivers version 2.43 for Windows 7, but it is not working. Is 5.1 sound in games working fine for someone with Realtek?

[akkies_2000]

I think the issue is that Windows 7 does not support Direct3D sound. I read somewhere that it was discontinued since Vista.

Realtek had released a patch called "3D Soundback" similar to Creative Alchemy which basically translates Direct3D sound to OpenGL to be understood by the hardware. Now finding this information took quite sometime. It is foolish of Realtek to not include this patch in the driver itself; how would it matter if 54mb filesize becomes 60mb. I installed it and there is some improvement but sound from side speakers is very less in Crysis; will try other games today. Is there any way of enhancing rear speaker volume; done my bit from Sound in control panel.

This is very frustrating. I thought buying 5.1 speakers and plugging them in is good enough. Now I'm worried which sound card would work without any problems with Windows 7. I don't want to buy something and then realize there are compatibility issues. Is there any good sound card between 5.5k to 6k, which works fine with Windows 7?

[asingh]

Win7 supports it, it is the drivers for the sound chips (RealTEK) which have no support.

[akkies_2000]

Tried it again, the sound in Crysis is coming fine. Realized it when I got into full blown action. Earlier I was just blowing up a jeep (by firing at its tank) which wasn't putting much impact on side speakers but gunshots work well. Which means "3D Soundback" works fine with Windows 7, though in Vista compatibility mode.