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PCIe sound card with red-black metal shield, RGB LED strip and gold audio jacks

Creative Labs

Creative Labs 70SB174000003 Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus sound card

SKU CH-A9GF-H7DKS MPN 70SB174000003

PCIe sound card with SABRE32 DAC, 32-bit/384 kHz playback, 122 dB SNR, Dolby Digital Live, DTS encoding, Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp and RGB LED strip

  • Part70SB174000003
  • Audio ChipsetSound Core3D
  • Channels5.1
  • Sample Rate384 KHz
  • Digital Audio32-bit
  • SNR122dB
  • Hi-res 32-bit / 384 kHz playback with 122 dB SNR
  • Discrete Xamp bi-amplification drives headphones up to 600 ohms
  • Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding for external devices
  • 1 discrete and 7.1 virtual surround with virtualization
  • PCIe interface with RGB LED strip and front-panel header

Internal Sound Card for Desktop PCs

The Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is a PCIe sound card and DAC built around the Sound Core3D audio processor. It delivers 5.1-channel playback at 32-bit/384 kHz with a 122 dB signal-to-noise ratio. An RGB LED strip and extension cable are included for case lighting.

Gamers and Audiophiles Needing Headphone Power

This card suits users who want Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding plus a discrete Xamp bi-amplifier that drives headphones up to 600 ohms, including planar-magnetic models. Builders without a free PCIe slot or those running operating systems other than Windows 10 should look elsewhere.

Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amplifier

The onboard Xamp circuit powers each earcup independently with a 1 ohm output impedance, enabling studio-grade headphone performance directly from the card. This feature is the deciding factor for buyers who prioritise high-impedance headphone support over external DAC solutions.

Highlights

  • Hi-res 32-bit / 384 kHz playback with 122 dB SNR
  • Discrete Xamp bi-amplification drives headphones up to 600 ohms
  • Dolby Digital Live and DTS Connect encoding for external devices
  • 1 discrete and 7.1 virtual surround with virtualization
  • PCIe interface with RGB LED strip and front-panel header

Specifications

BrandCreative
SeriesSound BlasterX
ModelAE-5 Plus
Part70SB174000003
Audio ChipsetSound Core3D
Channels5.1
Sample Rate384 KHz
Digital Audio32-bit
SNR122dB
EncodeDTS Connect Encoding
Dolby Digital Live Encoding
Line In1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) Mic In / Line In
Line Out1 x 1/8" Front Out, 1 x 1/8" Rear Out, 1 x 1/8" Center / Sub Out
SPDIF Out1 x TOSLINK Optical Out
Other Ports1 x 1/8" (3.5mm) Headphone / Headset Out, 1 x Front Panel Header
InterfacePCI-e
Operating Systems SupportedWindows 10
System RequirementsIntel Core i3 or AMD equivalent processor
Intel, AMD, or 100% compatible motherboard
Microsoft Windows 10 32 / 64-bit
1 GB RAM
>600 MB of free hard disk space
Available PCI-e slot
Dimensions0.79" x 5.04" x 5.71"
Package ContentsSound BlasterX AE-5 Plus
1 x LED Strip (30cm / 10 LEDs)
1 x Extension Cable
Quick Start Leaflet
Warranty Leaflets
Shipping weight0.53 kg
Package size244 × 210 × 63 mm

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Questions about this item

Should I choose the AE-5 Plus over other Sound BlasterX models for the 122dB SNR and 32-bit 384 kHz playback?

The AE-5 Plus delivers 122dB SNR and 32-bit 384 kHz playback via its SABRE32-class DAC, making it the highest-fidelity option in the Sound BlasterX line for headphone and speaker setups.

What does the 122dB signal-to-noise ratio mean when I am gaming or listening to music?

A 122dB SNR gives an exceptionally quiet noise floor, so quiet passages in games or high-resolution music remain free of audible hiss even at high volumes.

Does the PCIe interface limit the 32-bit 384 kHz output or the Xamp headphone amplifier?

The PCIe x1 interface provides ample bandwidth for 32-bit 384 kHz audio and the Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp, so neither is capped by the bus.

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