Decent sound card for gaming - 5.1 - Auzentech and other brands..

PitchWhite

PitchWhite

PitchWhite

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9 Mar 2004
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Hi guys - After initally going for a D2X and not being able to configure it successfully for 5.1 (maybe due to hardware fault on the card, maybe due to incompatiblity with the motherboard) - I returned it.

I obviously don't want to risk replacing it with another D2X which has the same problem!

With the obvious creative drivers and their history making me concerned about their offerings I wondered if anyone had tried Auzentech or other brands of sound cards.

Not really bothered about for music - just as high quality as possible for gaming and compatibility.

My on board sound (P8P67) works fine with my headset but the audio hiss is doing my head in and even though the d2x couldn't manage 5.1 through the right speakers properly it gave me the luxury of no hiss audio - and now I don't think I can go back to onboard sound!

Many thanks!

PW
 
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Auzentech cards are very good, but they aren't widely available like Asus and Creative cards. Meridian 2G looks very good, but is hard to find. Forte was a great card, but has been discontinued in this country I believe. Same goes for the Prelude.

There is very little choice really for gaming sound cards once Asus and Creative are discounted.
 
From now looking into it further it seems Auzentech have some real issues when it comes to support and have been ropey in the past with dealing with any issues/ responding to customers.

I've heard positive things about HTOmega - is the Striker or Claro 7.1 any good?
 
I've emailed them about international shipping..will see if they reply...Claro looks pretty awesome and their customers rave about just how far they go customer service wise to help which is very refreshing to see!
 
It does look like a decent card. Shame they are not available in this country. Would be a great alternative if their drivers work reliably, unlike Asus and Creative, who don't seem to have a clue really.
 
Unfortuntely you've pretty much managed to discount 98% of the industry by removing ob-baord, Creative and Asus!

In my experience just because the big guys have shockingly bad drivers doesn't necessarily mean that anyone else is doing it better; perhaps just less well known and just as bad?

And for gaming it's important that they are as compatible as you could hope for; with features like EAX, OpenAL, etc. Tbh, I'd perhaps take a look at some of Creative's newest offerings in the "HD" series.
 
Global_Inferno said:
In my experience just because the big guys have shockingly bad drivers doesn't necessarily mean that anyone else is doing it better; perhaps just less well known and just as bad?
Click to expand...

True, but I think Asus and Creative have got so big, they don't care anymore. Maybe they never cared, but smaller companies seem to care more. Not all mind, but look at small ISP's who offer a good service, get bigger and bigger, but then go down hill. Games companies are another example. Look how many games developers who were once known for giving a toss what the customer thought, then get to the point where they are only concerned about their profits.

The problem with more unknown companies, is that because nobody knows much about them, it's hard to say what support will be like down the road. Can't be any worse than Asus or Creative I'd imagine. :p
 
They've confirmed they do international orders direct through them via email and paypal so that's cool. Not sure if I should wait for a pci-express though as a pci sound card will be sandwiched between my 6950 crossfire =/ (+possible futureproofing)
 
Eek. Not sure having a sound card stuck between 2 heaters is a good idea. :p

It might be fine, but I have seen people have issues with sound card right next to a GFX card, let alone 2. Problem is, you can't know for sure if it will be ok, unless you try it.

Personally, I wouldn't like to try it.
 
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