Auzentech X-Fi Prelude vs Creative X-Fi Xtreme

cozumel · Nov 24, 2007, 11:52 AM

Just wondering on gaming whether anyone here has used both cards and whether there is a noticeable difference fps??? I've already ordered the Creative (PCIe) for a new rig I'm building but could send it back and get the Auzentech (PCI).

I have read a couple of reviews and there is a reduced workload on the CPU and an increase in fps. But need to know whether this is a noticeable difference for new games such as Crysis.

stormy13 · Nov 24, 2007, 12:47 PM

I assume this is the card you ordered,

PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio SB1040EF - Sound Blaster - Your Movies and Music. Way Better

If so do yourself a very big favor and cancel/return it. The Xtreme Audio and gaming are a contradiction in terms. For starters that card is purely software/host based (meaning the cpu still does all the work), and the only thing it has in relation to a regular X-Fi is the X-Fi name. card never should have been called a X-Fi in the first place.

Arklon · Nov 24, 2007, 12:49 PM

Return that thing ASAP. The X-Fi Xtreme Audio is just a rebranded Audigy SE, which was a rebranded Live 24-bit. It does not have EAX5 and it offers no hardware DSP acceleration (EAX is done in software).
And definitely get the X-Fi Prelude. It's a PCB full of awesome.

cozumel · Nov 24, 2007, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormy13

I assume this is the card you ordered,

PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio SB1040EF - Sound Blaster - Your Movies and Music. Way Better

If so do yourself a very big favor and cancel/return it. The Xtreme Audio and gaming are a contradiction in terms. For starters that card is purely software/host based (meaning the cpu still does all the work), and the only thing it has in relation to a regular X-Fi is the X-Fi name. card never should have been called a X-Fi in the first place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arklon

Return that thing ASAP. The X-Fi Xtreme Audio is just a rebranded Audigy SE, which was a rebranded Live 24-bit. It does not have EAX5 and it offers no hardware DSP acceleration (EAX is done in software).
And definitely get the X-Fi Prelude. It's a PCB full of awesome.

Correct Stormy, that is the card I ordered. Thank you to you both - I will cancel the order for the card. Fortunately I asked for the Creative and other parts to be delivered next Friday so I have plenty of time to ammend the order via webnote/email. So in that case how does the Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series compare to the Auzentech Prelude please?

Arklon · Nov 24, 2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

Correct Stormy, that is the card I ordered. Thank you to you both - I will cancel the order for the card. Fortunately I asked for the Creative and other parts to be delivered next Friday so I have plenty of time to ammend the order via webnote/email. So in that case how does the Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series compare to the Auzentech Prelude please?

Creative's cards are made from pretty low quality parts. I used to have an X-Fi Platinum, but it just died on me one day. The Prelude's sound quality is better, and the difference is more noticeable with more expensive speakers/headphones. But don't get me wrong, that Prelude is pretty expensive.

cozumel · Nov 24, 2007, 01:44 PM

Okay what is the performance like for gaming Fatal1ty Pro v Prelude? I know that Auzentech uses solid caps but can anyone tell me if Creative still uses eletrolytic on the Fatal1ty as that will swing it for me? If if I have to fork out a bit extra for solid caps then so be it... The difference is about £35 ($70). I've got bad memories of caps popping or leaking etc

Arklon · Nov 24, 2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cozumel

Okay what is the performance like for gaming Fatal1ty Pro v Prelude? I know that Auzentech uses solid caps but can anyone tell me if Creative still uses eletrolytic on the Fatal1ty as that will swing it for me? If if I have to fork out a bit extra for solid caps then so be it... The difference is about £35 (£70). I've got bad memories of caps popping or leaking etc

Yeah, Creative uses electrolytic.

cozumel · Nov 24, 2007, 06:59 PM

Auzentech Prelude ordered. Thanks Arklon for your help. +rep to you sir.

**kris23** · Nov 24, 2007, 08:28 PM

good choice man....

Robert McClelland · Nov 24, 2007, 10:21 PM

Ya it's good choice if you have the money. I'm very happy with my xtream music one

**kris23** · Nov 24, 2007, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert McClelland

Ya it's good choice if you have the money. I'm very happy with my xtream music one

yea if he got the Xtreme Audio one and didn't like it, i wouldnt be surprised....

Nov 24, 2007, 11:52 AM	#1
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,619 Rep Power: 42 System Specs	Auzentech X-Fi Prelude vs Creative X-Fi Xtreme Just wondering on gaming whether anyone here has used both cards and whether there is a noticeable difference fps??? I've already ordered the Creative (PCIe) for a new rig I'm building but could send it back and get the Auzentech (PCI). I have read a couple of reviews and there is a reduced workload on the CPU and an increase in fps. But need to know whether this is a noticeable difference for new games such as Crysis. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Nov 24, 2007, 01:44 PM	#6
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,619 Rep Power: 42 System Specs	Okay what is the performance like for gaming Fatal1ty Pro v Prelude? I know that Auzentech uses solid caps but can anyone tell me if Creative still uses eletrolytic on the Fatal1ty as that will swing it for me? If if I have to fork out a bit extra for solid caps then so be it... The difference is about £35 ($70). I've got bad memories of caps popping or leaking etc __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks Last edited by cozumel; Nov 24, 2007 at 03:01 PM. Reason: typo

Nov 24, 2007, 06:59 PM	#8
cozumel I'm dangerous but cute... Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Under the waves... Posts: 3,619 Rep Power: 42 System Specs	Auzentech Prelude ordered. Thanks Arklon for your help. +rep to you sir. __________________ Don't worry about money - Be a beach bum! Scuba Rocks

Nov 24, 2007, 08:28 PM	#9
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,237 Rep Power: 64 System Specs	good choice man.... __________________ Driverheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (9/4/09) New i5 systems with more to come! Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Nov 24, 2007, 10:21 PM	#10
Robert McClelland PAX Tweaker, PAX Expert. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Some Where in Ohio Posts: 6,292 Rep Power: 102 System Specs	Ya it's good choice if you have the money. I'm very happy with my xtream music one __________________ "XTREME AUDIO IS CRAP!" "There no support for it. It's crapist card on face of the earth it should be throw into the sun"

Nov 24, 2007, 12:47 PM	#2
stormy13 DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto,Ontario Posts: 111 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I assume this is the card you ordered, PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio SB1040EF - Sound Blaster - Your Movies and Music. Way Better If so do yourself a very big favor and cancel/return it. The Xtreme Audio and gaming are a contradiction in terms. For starters that card is purely software/host based (meaning the cpu still does all the work), and the only thing it has in relation to a regular X-Fi is the X-Fi name. card never should have been called a X-Fi in the first place.

Nov 24, 2007, 12:49 PM	#3
Arklon DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 161 Rep Power: 0	Return that thing ASAP. The X-Fi Xtreme Audio is just a rebranded Audigy SE, which was a rebranded Live 24-bit. It does not have EAX5 and it offers no hardware DSP acceleration (EAX is done in software). And definitely get the X-Fi Prelude. It's a PCB full of awesome.