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2 issues, need some help.

D

DragonGX

Limp Gawd
Joined
Nov 25, 2001
Messages
189
Ok, I have 2 questions. Here goes:

1- I'm currently running an ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe mobo, I use the onboard audio, and do not have a soundcard installed. This has worked fine for me untill recently. I bought some Creative Gigaworks G500 speakers, because I wanted 5.1 surround sound. My primary use for these will be gaming, although I may want to watch DVDs with them as well. I got the speakers set up, and tried to set up them in 5.1 mode with my NForce onboard audio, when I ran into a problem.. The rear surround speakers won't work correctly.. I've tried setting them up numerous ways, with every plug into every socket on my motherboard.. the best i can get is the front, center and sub speakers working correctly, but when i use the audio testing tool, the "surround rear" test come out the front speakers. In the setup program, it has options for 4 speaker and 6 speaker setups... im not sure if the "6 speaker" setup means 5.1, or 6.1, but either way, I can't get them to work correctly. The speakers work, i've used them in 'upmix' mode and when i was swapping inputs around.. The mobos manual is very vague about all of this, and doesn't really offer any solutions. Does anyone know anything I could do to fix this?

2- I'm a gamer, and I think that one solution to #1 would be to buy a soundcard.. I'm not a huge audiophile, and gaming is a priority, so obviously, the creative audigy2 zs comes to mind.. are there any other "gaming" soundcards that would get me better in game performance? I'd probably go with an Audigy ZS, for as cheap as i can get one, but I'd like to be aware of other options (i haven't bought a soundcard since the original SB Live Value many many years ago, so I'm not really up to date on any of this.. especially all of the terminology..) I really just want a good soundcard that will complement my new speakers (and will be compatible for all of the surround sound/THX, etc features) for gaming and some HT use, without spending alot on a top-end soundcard..


Whew, thats alot more than I planned to write.. Anyways, any input/suggestions would be appreciated!
 
One last thing I forgot to mention.. I am kind of worried that my new speakers don't haev digital inputs.. Is this something I should worry about? I love everythign about the speakers (they sound great!) but that kind of bothers me.. I don't know how big of an issue it is, since I don't really know much about audio..
 
5.1 = 6 speaker mode. :)
Nope.... not having digital inputs on your speakers doesn't mean much.
The onboard not working right is a blessing in disguise.
It's anaalog output is pretty crappy anyhow. :D
(there is a fix for that problem but I can't find that thread, I think it's in the motherboard section)

Do you have an actual budget for a sound card?
 
I'm not really restricted on money, but I don't like to overspend on a card that i don't really need. All I am looking for is a good card that would perform well for gaming and HT.. My new speakers are THX certified.. does that really mean anything in regards to what soundcard/type of connection I use?

Will a new soundcard be that much better than onboard sound? If it's going to give me a better gaming/DVD experience, and better sound quality, I might as well go for one.

I also have read a little bit on the new Audigy4 coming out.. Should I wait for that, since apparently it has a new chip, ro would I be fine getting some other card that is currently on the market?


I'll have to go look around for the fix for my speakers, I would really like them to work properly, even if I end up getting a new card! :D

Thanks for the info!


edit:

I guess a ballpark budget would be between $50 and $100.. I could go over, but hopefully I can find a solution that is under $100...
 
THX multimedia certification means nothing.....
Yes, a real sound card will you give much better analog sound quality.
The Audigy4 has been out for about 6 months now..... do you mean the X-fi?

$100 is very doable.
The questions is what is more important?
Music or Gaming performance?
If music is a priority go for either the M-Audio Revolution 7.1 card or the Audiotrack Prodigy 7.1LT
If gaming performance is a priority I would suggest the Audigy2 ZS OEM.
(the Audigy4 does sound better then the Audigy2ZS but it is massively overpriced)
 
Mister X said:
THX multimedia certification means nothing.....
Yes, a real sound card will you give much better analog sound quality.
The Audigy4 has been out for about 6 months now..... do you mean the X-fi?

$100 is very doable.
The questions is what is more important?
Music or Gaming performance?
If music is a priority go for either the M-Audio Revolution 7.1 card or the Audiotrack Prodigy 7.1LT
If gaming performance is a priority I would suggest the Audigy2 ZS OEM.
(the Audigy4 does sound better then the Audigy2ZS but it is massively overpriced)
Click to expand...


Yeah, I meant the X-Fi... Gaming is more of a priority. As long as the music sounds good (I am happy with the way it sounds with my onboard audio) i'll be fine.

I was just hoping I could fix this and get it working without having to buy a new soundcard.. I guess about $75 isn't too bad..
 
I concur, if gaming is top priority then creative is the way to go. An audigy 2 ZS or Value will sound 5X better than what you're using now.

The analog outputs on your mobo sound shitty, while the optical output is above average.

If music was your top priority, then Mister X's recommendations are best.
 
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