X-Fi Gamer help

[simkna]

Okay, I have an HTPC currently using onboard HD Sound.
Sound is output using ASUS motherboard SPDIF header and module, through optical Toslink to 5.1 Receiver.
All works, DVD passes 5.1/DTS through to amp, games etc. pass PCM to amp.

My problem is that games' sound stutters/breaks up quite badly even with E6300 CPU and 2gb ram. I figured the best way to fix this is with dedicated sound card, rather than using onboard. After doing some research, the X-Fi gamer seemed a good bet, and ordered one yesterday.

I have just received the card (not installed it yet), and find it has an optical out on the back, and also an SPDIF header on it. Which am I best to use? - the optical out on the rear, or plug my ASUS SPDIF module into the header, giving me the option of optical or coax (if the module works with the card).

Thanks guys.

Si.

 

[simkna]

I have just installed my X-fi Gamer.

AWESOME!!

Sound quality is much improved, and frame rates in games have increased by approx. 10%. Stuttering has completely disappeared.

I ended up connecting to amp via white optical out on the back of the card. My Toslink cable has a flip-around end, enabling it to fit 3.5mm or toslink style sockets. I will get around to hooking up 5.1 analogue cables as well at some point for gaming use, but for now, I'm one happy camper.

Si.