i use 2 delta 1010 cards on my i5 as it has 2 pci slots, but not sure how to make my cards work on this i7. i have 3 delta cards and would love to use more without spending 1000 bucks. does anybody run a pci riser? and will that mess me all up with irq problems?
or could someone suggest a better fix? i ve read that going pci -x to pci is a no go as the info exchange is different.
 
       this new computer also has one of those huge  video cards hooked up to pci ex 16 1(always wanted to do videos)
 
 so i see the posible fixes as this.... 1)  motherboard  90 bucks    -  plenty of whatever sockets you choose...(headache
                                               2)  or pci extension (flex cord) to pci riser. install 3 of em outside the box.
                                                 3) just use one pci       -   only 8 inputs...not enough for what i like in a studio
                                                   4) plug pci into pci express   -  heard this never works
                                                     5) save for new cards (usb 2)   -  tascam? any ideas fellas?
here are my specs.   i7  16 gig, win 7 -64 bit premium , 1394 fire wire, usb 2, e sata, 1 TB, external 2 TB USB2

1) possible - I have GA-B75-D3H with 2 pci slots in my I5 3570.  Delta card works great in Sonar X2  The B75 is 'native' pci support which is important.   $75
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-Micro-Motherboards-GA-B75M-D3H/dp/B007R9CRGW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1375919292&sr=1-1&keywords=GA-B75M-D3H
 
2) dont think that will work with 2 cards
3) not enough - not an option
4) very likely will not work
5) always an option but PCI works *really* well even though its supposedly outdated.  This option will likely cost more $$$
 
 
 
 

NICE  . thankx for the reply cityrat. i agree outdated pci works way better than the cards i ve tried with usb and firewire.  i guess i ll look into getting a new motherboard tomorrow. might as well i ve got the processor and ram and 3 sound cards. 80  bucks later i should be in buisness.