Is an X-Fi really worth it?

Jimi · 30 Mar 2006 at 20:39

Is an X-Fi really worth it or should I just stick with onboard sound?

I heard that adding a sound card like the SB X-Fi helps improve performance of the whole system, i.e increasing FPS.

Aidoscuz · 30 Mar 2006 at 20:50

Yes! The difference in sound quality is amazing, everything from games to music to movies just sound so much clearer and sharper. As for the fps, I think it helps a little, but it's not really a noticeable difference. But the increase in sound quality is more than enough to warrant the upgrade.

Lemonzest · 30 Mar 2006 at 21:12

A Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi is only useful for e-penis ++

Rob43 · 30 Mar 2006 at 21:20

I went from a Audigy 2Zs & the difference is amazing

More than i was expecting

mi9tchy · 30 Mar 2006 at 21:24

i use to have audigy 2 upgraded to x-fi , theres a big boost in music sound quality i havent really noticed for games, i've seen the x-fi extreme music for 45 and thats totally worth it.

Rob43 · 30 Mar 2006 at 21:34

Have to agree,i listen to a lot of music,but quake 4 does sound amazing,uses EAX5

TooNice · 30 Mar 2006 at 22:32

Jimi said:
I heard that adding a sound card like the SB X-Fi helps improve performance of the whole system, i.e increasing FPS.

Forget that part. Whatever role it plays in slightly decreasing CPU usage is pretty insignificant in real world applications really. However, it does improve sound quality over the Audigy series in general.

Curio · 31 Mar 2006 at 01:24

Jimi said:
Is an X-Fi really worth it or should I just stick with onboard sound?

I heard that adding a sound card like the SB X-Fi helps improve performance of the whole system, i.e increasing FPS.

Yes, it's much better than on-board. I noticed a big improvement going from a SB Live to an X-Fi - and the SB Live was a big improvement over the onboard

And as already said, any increase in performance in very small and probably not noticeable.

Lemonzest said:
A Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi is only useful for e-penis ++

Spot the troll with the Audigy :rolleyes:

valerian · 31 Mar 2006 at 01:47

TooNice said:
Forget that part. Whatever role it plays in slightly decreasing CPU usage is pretty insignificant in real world applications really. However, it does improve sound quality over the Audigy series in general.

i think the decrease in CPU usage is noticeable, i saw a big diff in speed and how fast some applications loaded

TooNice · 31 Mar 2006 at 02:08

*Blink*

Just what application do you run?

I am willing to do some tests between my onboard and Elite Pro, but for the time being I am pretty skeptical about that claim. When the difference between two cards is at most.. 2%? I am more willing to attribute perceived difference to placebo.

Anandtech shows the Audigy 4 Pro to actually use less CPU than the Elite Pro.
http://www.anandtech.com/multimedia/showdoc.aspx?i=2518&p=10

kidloco · 31 Mar 2006 at 08:59

Rob43, can you email me at [email protected] as to where you saw it at that price. I would like one but just not at the price most retailers are selling it at.

valerian · 31 Mar 2006 at 09:05

TooNice said:
*Blink*

Just what application do you run?

I am willing to do some tests between my onboard and Elite Pro, but for the time being I am pretty skeptical about that claim. When the difference between two cards is at most.. 2%? I am more willing to attribute perceived difference to placebo.

Anandtech shows the Audigy 4 Pro to actually use less CPU than the Elite Pro.
http://www.anandtech.com/multimedia/showdoc.aspx?i=2518&p=10

regarding placebo
i didnt buy this to increase system speed
and i didnt expect it either, that fact remains that when i put it in, and booted up, the system imo appeared faster
applications
musicmatchjukebox-with 28gb of music on the system
outlook 2003
these are the things i noticed first, like any increase however small/big imo it is fleeting anyhow
you only notice how good or bad your own system is when you sit in front of someone elses

Goksly · 31 Mar 2006 at 12:55

kidloco - I'd edit your post before a mod sees it

shrek2 · 1 Apr 2006 at 06:15

So would it be worth me upgrading from an audigy 4 to an xtrememusic?

TooNice · 1 Apr 2006 at 06:55

If you are talking about the regular (non-pro) Audigy 4, then yes.

valerian said:
you only notice how good or bad your own system is when you sit in front of someone elses

There is a problem with that methodology though. Chances are, the two systems are different in ways other than the sound card. From hardware to software.

I'd say that the difference in what software two system use in the background is going to have significantly more influence in system performance than moving from an Audigy to an X-Fi. If you really want to test whether there is an improvement there, it is best to use the same system.

Tommy B · 1 Apr 2006 at 13:08

OK.

I have a Hi-Fi wired to my AC97 AN8's built-in sound system.

Will you all guarantee me 500% that I'll notice a huge improvement in sound quality?

Cheers,

Tommy B · 1 Apr 2006 at 13:11

And if it sucks will OCUK take it back?

Thing is I don't have surround sound or anything like that, just 2 floor standers and the Hi-Fi.

Roughneck · 1 Apr 2006 at 14:29

In a word yes

I went from a Audigy with quad speakers , some creative lab things

to the X-FI

and its made my speakers sound 10 times better , its amazing.

and I paid 99 for mine at a well known high street shop.

still think there a bargain

Paa` · 1 Apr 2006 at 14:34

I had 2 75w tanoys plugged into ac97 onboard sound with a marantz amp.

Turn everything up max but no music and u can hear noise coming out of the speakers well before you max out the amp/speakers.

The noise was quite loud and annoying.

The xfi i bought cured the problem completely and improved sound quality noticebly.

If you have some crap pc speakers like AE / Harmon Kardon / Logitech / Even creative speakers, you wont notice any difference.

But if you have decent hifi speakers/amp you will notice quality and noise a lot

Paul

Bunka · 1 Apr 2006 at 14:50

Might want to edit that post mate. ^^