Looking for Advice on Sound Cards

VampyrByte · Mar 29, 2009, 07:10 PM

Hi Guys, I've been looking at getting a new soundcard but i must be honest, the choice has confused me a little and im unsure what to go for.
I'm currently using my motherboards integrated, some Realteck HD Audio rubbish, and i cant help but think i am missing out. I understand that the X-Fi series are the best in the business at the moment, correct me if im wrong, but the Asus Xonar is out of my budget anyway.
Primarily i would be playing games and listening to music.
The games i play, ranging from World of Warcraft to the cinematic single player games like Bioshock and Deep Space. My music is mostly the higher bit-rate Mp3's around 192Kbit, but i try to use FLAC as much as i can these days.
I have an allright speaker set up, the Sony SRS-D511, ok 5.1 speakers, But i cannot help but think i am missing out in some of the games i play, especially as i play them at Maximum graphics 90% of the time, but i miss out on things like EAX.
I think i have narrowed it down to the X-Fi XtremeGamer, and XtremeMusic cards. Is there any advantage to either of them, or is it just a marketing ploy to get gamers to pay a premium for the same shit??
Just wondering what peoples opinions were on this subject before i commit the best part of 70 quid :P

Thanks guys

DJ BIG T · Mar 29, 2009, 07:16 PM

what price range you looking at paying for a sound card? also that onboard sound your using is pretty good...here ifourm post this this might help you out..
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=87523

you should be able to take full advanced with that driver with your onboard sound card...

Matth · Mar 30, 2009, 12:09 PM

I used to run Creative cards, from my trusty SB16 ASP (with added el-cheapo wave daughterboard), through SB PCI 128 to SB Live, but since I've had HD-Audio, I've not bothered.

With HD, you have a lot more than AC97 offers. I have FB2K set to output 24 bit, and that's something you never got with bad old AC97.

VampyrByte · Mar 30, 2009, 02:48 PM

I dont really have a specific budget, i want to spend about 50-60 quid on my computer and am torn between a new harddrive and a sound card. Just want the best value in this range really. My computer isnt high spec or anything, just wondering if a sound card would improve my quality in games and music and that.
That "Realtek X-FI" thing looks interesting, shame its only a 30 day trial, maybe if i can acquire a key i will give it a shot.
According to my drivers, which came from Gigabytes website for my board, i have an ALC662, wether this is any good or not i do not know, does the trick i guess.

Mar 29, 2009, 07:10 PM	#1
VampyrByte DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 47 Rep Power: 6 System Specs	Looking for Advice on Sound Cards Hi Guys, I've been looking at getting a new soundcard but i must be honest, the choice has confused me a little and im unsure what to go for. I'm currently using my motherboards integrated, some Realteck HD Audio rubbish, and i cant help but think i am missing out. I understand that the X-Fi series are the best in the business at the moment, correct me if im wrong, but the Asus Xonar is out of my budget anyway. Primarily i would be playing games and listening to music. The games i play, ranging from World of Warcraft to the cinematic single player games like Bioshock and Deep Space. My music is mostly the higher bit-rate Mp3's around 192Kbit, but i try to use FLAC as much as i can these days. I have an allright speaker set up, the Sony SRS-D511, ok 5.1 speakers, But i cannot help but think i am missing out in some of the games i play, especially as i play them at Maximum graphics 90% of the time, but i miss out on things like EAX. I think i have narrowed it down to the X-Fi XtremeGamer, and XtremeMusic cards. Is there any advantage to either of them, or is it just a marketing ploy to get gamers to pay a premium for the same shit?? Just wondering what peoples opinions were on this subject before i commit the best part of 70 quid :P Thanks guys __________________

Mar 29, 2009, 07:16 PM	#2
DJ BIG T DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ORLANDO,FL Posts: 695 Rep Power: 36 System Specs	Re: Looking for Advice on Sound Cards what price range you looking at paying for a sound card? also that onboard sound your using is pretty good...here ifourm post this this might help you out.. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=87523 you should be able to take full advanced with that driver with your onboard sound card... __________________ Last edited by DJ BIG T; Mar 29, 2009 at 07:43 PM.

Mar 30, 2009, 12:09 PM	#3
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,203 Rep Power: 58 System Specs	Re: Looking for Advice on Sound Cards I used to run Creative cards, from my trusty SB16 ASP (with added el-cheapo wave daughterboard), through SB PCI 128 to SB Live, but since I've had HD-Audio, I've not bothered. With HD, you have a lot more than AC97 offers. I have FB2K set to output 24 bit, and that's something you never got with bad old AC97. __________________ Mary had a little lamb, Her father shot it dead Now Mary takes her lamb to school, Between two crusts of bread

Mar 30, 2009, 02:48 PM	#4
VampyrByte DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 47 Rep Power: 6 System Specs	Re: Looking for Advice on Sound Cards I dont really have a specific budget, i want to spend about 50-60 quid on my computer and am torn between a new harddrive and a sound card. Just want the best value in this range really. My computer isnt high spec or anything, just wondering if a sound card would improve my quality in games and music and that. That "Realtek X-FI" thing looks interesting, shame its only a 30 day trial, maybe if i can acquire a key i will give it a shot. According to my drivers, which came from Gigabytes website for my board, i have an ALC662, wether this is any good or not i do not know, does the trick i guess. __________________