Xfi, gamer or music?

WillSpengler · 23 Apr 2008 at 21:38

Stuck with which card to choose.

There much difference between the two?

The Music card seems to have more connectivity.

Do they both have pins for connecting front port audio? The gamer says it does, but can't find anything regarding the music version.

Any quality difference?

Will be going into switch box to go between a creative speaker system (can't remember what model this is, it isnt the gigaworks anyways!) and my KRKs

Already have a tres expensive soundcard £300+ anyone? but it isnt used for gaming, so hopefully no recommendations above the £50-£60 range that these cards seem to sit in!

helmutcheese · 23 Apr 2008 at 21:50

The Extreme Music is better than the Extreme Gamer but not over the Fatal1ty Gamer.

WillSpengler · 23 Apr 2008 at 21:58

Can't find a clear answer as to if the "Music" has connectivity for front ports.

Anyone?

Feel like such a damned audiophile, would there even be that much a difference over a creative live soundblaster?

james.miller · 23 Apr 2008 at 22:07

the music has an ac97 connector for front panel audio

the music doesnt. there really isnt much difference between the music and gamer in performance.

if i were you, id get a xonar DX instead (if you have pci-e available) which can be found for about £65 and is far better than either of the x-fi's

WillSpengler · 23 Apr 2008 at 22:10

james.miller said:
the music has an ac97 connector for front panel audio the music doesnt.

Right, so which one has the front connectors?

( i get it tho, the music doesnt ).

Thats a pain.

Will look into that other card, cheers

If only my presonus was any good for gaming!

james.miller · 23 Apr 2008 at 22:12

sorry, the gamer has the connector. the gamer!!!

(im a fool lol)

WillSpengler · 23 Apr 2008 at 22:15

Hehe, no bother mate, just had a double take reading that!

Just one quickie on the Xonar. It's not too much more expensive (still under £60

) , so it is def. an option. The mobo im looking at will have a few unused PCI-E slots too

One thing tho, does it have front panel connectivity? I can't find anything in the synopsis of it, but in the picture of the board there is def. some pin outs.

james.miller · 23 Apr 2008 at 22:20

the xonar dx does have a front panel connector, yes.The d2 doesnt (i have one), neither does the d2x as I recall. its also within a hairs width of the perfomance of the full blown d2 and d2x which are nearer £100. very very good cards

WillSpengler · 23 Apr 2008 at 22:28

That's cool

Cheers for the recommendation, looks like a winner.

I wonder why the higher end cards that companies make tend to not use the front panel connectors? Wierd.

Either way, will give my yellow bellies something new to beat to