Wondering what soundcard to get? Any reviews?

MumboJumbo · 1 Sep 2007 at 01:39

Hey im trying to find reviews on all the websites, tomshardware etc and is it just me or can i not find them?

These are the cards im interested in. if you could give me your views and any links to reviews id be much appreciated. i am still looking all the time for them so i may find them as well:

Asus Xonar D2 7.1 Ultra Fidelity 7.1 PCI Sound Card

Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Professional 7.1 Soundcard

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum Fatal1ty 7.1 Champion Series Soundcard

Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 Soundcard

Im put off of creative by their lack of support to dx10 drivers. But are they just the best?

just Scott · 1 Sep 2007 at 04:03

For gaming you might be better off just sticking with X-Fi's.

For sound quality look at something from EMU or M-Audio.

mattbill · 1 Sep 2007 at 12:12

Ive pre-ordered the Auzentech X-fi Prelude... if its anything similar to the Meridian it should be mint, and it incorporates the x-fi chip so eax 5 etc. better than creative cards apparently... better sound quality etc... (bare in mind im just going on reviews etc, ive never had a sound card before lol)

MumboJumbo · 1 Sep 2007 at 13:42

You say im better for with an Xfi for gaming but i thought they were causing troubles in games due to bad drivers?

1337z0r · 1 Sep 2007 at 15:22

I have a XFI here and I have never had any problems. I say go for the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 Soundcard it's got the XFI chip plus theres a loy of hype are this card.

MumboJumbo · 1 Sep 2007 at 15:30

Is it really worth the extra money over the Xfi ones though? SEe i was hoping to get reviews where i could compare them, i have no doubt the most expensive is the best. But i want to know if its really worth it when i dont really wana spend more then i have to. I would pay it if i had to if the creative xfi's had to many issues with vista 64bit.

truebluecfc · 1 Sep 2007 at 17:22

My creative soundcard has been fine in games with Vista 64, personally i don't think its worth the extra for these £100 sound cards although I've never had one, i think the X-Fi's are perfectly fine for games especially considering their fairly cheap tbh.

MumboJumbo · 1 Sep 2007 at 18:15

ok then so i think ill get one of those

krisbutler · 1 Sep 2007 at 18:54

xfi extreme music ive got and its awsome

MumboJumbo · 1 Sep 2007 at 21:37

And you dont have any driver problems in 64bit vista? or dont you have it?

mk17 · 2 Sep 2007 at 00:09

My own preference:

Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty Professional 7.1 Soundcard

But then again, I've also used the X-Fi Music without any snags.

Some people have had Vista (64) issues, neither have affected me. so reasons to be cheerful, tbh.

[edit]sorry, should've mentioned: Vista 64-bit Ultimate, Abit IP35-Pro mobo[/edit]

MumboJumbo · 2 Sep 2007 at 00:17

I found out the problems with Xfi come when you have 4gb of ram. Which i will have.

truebluecfc · 2 Sep 2007 at 00:43

Theirs a fix for it though

Edinho · 2 Sep 2007 at 19:30

For music and media I wouldnt touch Creative, m-audio EMU are the best option although they have their own problem in lack of vista support.

Creative are great for gaming, but their drivers and support are crap and have been ever since I can remember.

krisbutler · 2 Sep 2007 at 21:42

im still using xp at the moment so i cant comment on vista copatibility

MumboJumbo · 2 Sep 2007 at 22:22

Do the Creative cards really sound that bad for music? i would have thought if thjey do good for gaming they would be good for music. As long as there is a fix for Dx10 with 4GB of ram i gues i should be ok with the Creative cards though?