Predator 300 PH315-53... Can I Upgrade My Sound Card?

Hello:

I have a Predator 300 PH31-53. For the most part I like the laptop, but I can't understand how Acer produced a gaming laptop without High Definition Audio. I have Nivida HD outputs, but my sound/speakers are Realtek Audio, and it's terrible; even cranked up to the max the sound is very low.

I've been experimenting with sound enhancers and the only one that I can find that actually works with Windows 11 is DFX/FX Audio. It does an ok job (sort of), but when I was running Windows 10 on this laptop (with an older version of FX) the sound was a whole lot better (the newer version of FX Audio is not nearly as good as the older versions).

So does anyone know of a decent Sound Enhancement App that will run on Windows 11, OR is it possible for me to replace the sound card in this laptop that will actually support HD Audio (it doesn't appear to me that my current sound card is capable of supporting HD Audio).

If it IS possible to install a card that supports HD, would I have to make any other changes to the laptop besides that (I wouldn't have to flash my BIOS or mess around with any other hardware, would I?).

Fact is my iPad gives me better sound then my laptop and that really kind of sucks.

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Jazzbutcher

Well just to leave an addendum... I managed to FINALLY download the file for Realtek HD Audio from their website. Took me a number of tries to get the thing downloaded (for some reason it would accept my CAPTA attempts and so I had to keep trying a bunch of times). Got it installed and even though it states that it's for Windows 10, it still works with Windows 11).

Sound quality has improved a little bit, but the Realtek Audio Console that came with it (which was also installed) doesn't seem to want to work with Windows 11. I'm going to see if there's an update for it.

And that's where I am with it at this point.

xapim

Jazzbutcher as i have said many times before in this community personally i dont recommend win11 unless already came on stock with the laptop itself and even so theres soooo many bugs and incompatibilities at least for the next 2/3 years until the OS becomes stable and reliable enough and most bugs patched even 10 still has loads but at least its stable for now (for some) also disable windows updates completely if you dont want to run into even more issues caused by the windows updates and to boost the sound i recommend fx sound its wat i use all my win 10 devices as on win7/xp i use dfx and srs which doesnt work with 10 also bare in mind most control panels cant be installed separate like before they were converted to windows apps like nvcp, realtek audio console etc... they are only available from the windows store

Impervious

Jazzbutcher said:

Hello:

I have a Predator 300 PH31-53. For the most part I like the laptop, but I can't understand how Acer produced a gaming laptop without High Definition Audio. I have Nivida HD outputs, but my sound/speakers are Realtek Audio, and it's terrible; even cranked up to the max the sound is very low.

I've been experimenting with sound enhancers and the only one that I can find that actually works with Windows 11 is DFX/FX Audio. It does an ok job (sort of), but when I was running Windows 10 on this laptop (with an older version of FX) the sound was a whole lot better (the newer version of FX Audio is not nearly as good as the older versions).

So does anyone know of a decent Sound Enhancement App that will run on Windows 11, OR is it possible for me to replace the sound card in this laptop that will actually support HD Audio (it doesn't appear to me that my current sound card is capable of supporting HD Audio).

If it IS possible to install a card that supports HD, would I have to make any other changes to the laptop besides that (I wouldn't have to flash my BIOS or mess around with any other hardware, would I?).

Fact is my iPad gives me better sound then my laptop and that really kind of sucks.

Jazzbutcher, a fellow PH315-53 owner here.

FIRST of all:

Acer produced a gaming laptop without High Definition Audio

What do you mean? Realtek soundcard in Helios PH-315 is HD Audio. I wonder why you said this.

Are you implying this as per the image below in the spoiler?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/64/9bjwnjpioofj.png

SECOND:

I've been experimenting with sound enhancers

Why? PH315-53 comes with DTS Sound Unbound and DTS-X Ultra. Does your helios have these installed?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/rt/zcw8j55xgwaq.png

THIRD:

it doesn't appear to me that my current sound card is capable of supporting HD Audio

Realtek sound card is HD. Also, the stock driver from the Acer website is an HD Audio driver with DTS
Proof

See the drier name RTK V HD 64

and

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/qn/9ay35q9x8wdb.png

See the sample rates and refer to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-resolution_audio

FOURTH:

Windows 11

That is a big mistake to upgrade to windows 11 as xapim said.

FIFTH:

So does anyone know of a decent Sound Enhancement App

Have you tried the DTS apps? They comes free with Helios PH315-53.

SIXTH:

Fact is my iPad gives me better sound then my laptop and that really kind of sucks.

It is a well-known fact that all gaming laptop's (90%) speakers suck. Yes all of them suck. Many gamers complained about this since the dawn of time. They are not "loud" and "deep" enough. My Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 also sounds better than any gaming laptop I have come around till now.

SEVENTH:

Nobody games on speakers!
If you use headphones/earphones or home theatre, I will recommend you to look into Dobly Access App. It is a paid app and it is on sale these days. You can get 7 days free trial so you can decide whether you want to purchase it or not.

EIGHT:

It would be better if you download the Realtek HD Audio along with the Xperia DTS console from Acer's website rather than the Realtek.
But hey, what works for you, works for you.