Gaming Soundcard

Turbulance · 24 Jan 2006 at 20:04

Hello,

I am looking to buy a sound card, mainly for gaming but for music as well to replace the on board AC97 audio on my MSI Neo 2 Plat. I don't have any speakers (I use Medusa 5.1's for Music and games) and I would prefer not to spend a massive ammount as I am saving for a new graphics card.

Was wondering what I should be looking at.

Thanks in advance

Phil99 · 24 Jan 2006 at 20:12

Budget: Audigy 2
Best: X-Fi Xtreme Music
Rip off: X-Fi Fatal1ty

That about sums it up

Curio · 25 Jan 2006 at 00:59

My X-Fi XtremeMusic was a nice upgrade over my SB Live, which in turn was a nice upgrade over the onboard AC97. So I think the XtremeMusic would knock yer socks off

Hesky82 · 25 Jan 2006 at 02:59

Look out for an oem audigy 4, there about the same price as an audigy 2, the only difference between the two is the audigy 4 resolves IMD problems at the commonly used 16-bit/44.1kHz setting (CD's, MP3's, games etc...), which seems to produce a slight colouration of the audio output, the audigy 2 is great for games but the 4 has a little extra audio sq performance, just a little more linear in its frequency response, you wont notice this with your pc headphones though.
If the x-fi range was a little cheaper it might be worth considering.

there a better sound cards about for pure music applications such as RME, EMU but for music 'and' games you cant beat creative.

Arcane · 25 Jan 2006 at 12:28

Fatality all the way, worth the £150 just for the glowing F logo on the side

, I run mine with the Medua's btw.

Turbulance · 25 Jan 2006 at 14:48

Thansk for all the replys, I really am lookign for more of a budget sound card though as apart from the stuttering and slow down in some games, the AC 97 audio is fine for me.

Edit*

I am REALLY liking the look of the little box thing that comes with the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum eX - Retail and comming in at about £60 is't exactly breaking the bank.

But what is *** difference between this and the ZS version that OC UK is selling off on offer? Seems a great buy with the money off what do you think? :confused:

Tryst · 25 Jan 2006 at 15:35

So would any of you not choose the CREATIVE LABS X-FI PLATINUM sound card over the X-Fi Xtreme Music Sound card for a top of the range selection?

Tryst

Hesky82 · 25 Jan 2006 at 19:09

if the x-fi music had the built in 64mb of ram it would be pretty much future proof, that’s assuming games and video editing suites will ever make use of this "x-ram"!
basically the x-fi music offers no more than the audigy 2 or 4, and the fatality and platinum is simply to expensive for a gaming sound card, when you could be spending cash on more worth while things like a better gfx etc, where you would actually notice a difference.
If you want all the connections get the audigy 2 platinum ex (the zs is simply just the card on its own), if you want slightly better sq get the audigy 4 non pro.
Both of those will be a vast improvement over your on board audio in every aspect.
Don’t be sucked into "the x-fi is the best cuz its the most expensive" trap!