X-Fi in HTPC?

MrMonkeh · 11 Jul 2007 at 11:21

Hi Guys,

I'm about to build a HTPC and I have an X-Fi F4tality laying about - Will I see any benefits sticking this in a HTPC? If the answer is yes, would you leave it in "entertainment" mode whilst watching movies? Also, I understand that if you use a DVI to HDMI converter on an ATi x2600, the video AND sound output via HDMI - Will the X-Fi still make a difference to the quality?

Cheers,

Monkeh

jellybeard999 · 11 Jul 2007 at 16:22

Are you going to be using surround sound, or stereo ?

There are better alternatives for both, personally id sell the x-fi and buy something less gimmicky, from someone like m-audio or azuntech (or whatever their name now is)

Bes · 11 Jul 2007 at 16:48

Don't use that x-fi rubbish- get yourself an M-Audio card instead- much better sound quality

Energize · 11 Jul 2007 at 16:49

As far as I know it wouldn't matter what soundcard you buy as it's digital audio anyway, the same way the gpu doesn't affect playback quality.

jellybeard999 · 12 Jul 2007 at 00:50

Energize said:
As far as I know it wouldn't matter what soundcard you buy as it's digital audio anyway, the same way the gpu doesn't affect playback quality.

I was led to believe the DACs and so on onboard the card affected sound quality :confused:

Energize · 12 Jul 2007 at 01:14

If he's outputting via hdmi though it shouldn't use a dac.

james.miller · 12 Jul 2007 at 01:17

jellybeard999 said:
Are you going to be using surround sound, or stereo ?

There are better alternatives for both, personally id sell the x-fi and buy something less gimmicky, from someone like m-audio or azuntech (or whatever their name now is)

azuntech.....less gimmicky? :confused:

Energize said:
As far as I know it wouldn't matter what soundcard you buy as it's digital audio anyway, the same way the gpu doesn't affect playback quality.

for movies....no, it doesnt make a difference what card you use - the dac's arent used when using a digital connection