Creative Xmod X-Fi External Sound Card

[peetee]

Ok, few questions, couldnt spot a thread on it already. Mate has a lappy, is this any good? Hes guna be playing 2142, obviously an fps increase would be good. Does it make much diff to sound quality compared against general onboard sound? Basically, is it a gimmick, or is it called x-fi for the same reason as rest of em, improving sound quality aswell as giving fps increase in games?
Obviously it doesnt have the x-ram though, and im assuming its USB?

Whats the audigy PMCIA card like also? Basically im figuring out his options, hes asked me to check for him. Thanks

 

[peetee]

hmm after reading another thread its missing a hell of a lot of features that the others have, but to be honest all he needs is the output, and its got the x-fi crystaliser, so would that mean he could have decent sound? Or would the pmcia audigy be better..?

 

[squiffy]

Crystalizer is a general "mess up" sound DSP, only used for Mp3's to make up MP3 shortcomings.

You don't need crystalizer for any other high quality source, or to improve speakers.

Regardless PCMCIA or USB soundcard will be upgrade over internal.

 

[peetee]

what would you recommend for games like bf2142 though? Which will sound better, and will both increase performance? The price difference between them is irrelevant as if he gets the cheaper USB x-fi he has to get a pmcia USB hub, bringing the prices even closer together.