Good gaming soundcard

S

Stefan

Limp Gawd
Joined
Apr 27, 2003
Messages
266
Hey, I currently have Siberian Icemat headphones, and am starting to realize the sound card that it comes with isn't exactly ideal...
I want something that can support A3D, and EAX (I'm assuming they make the audio significantly better)... and also supports 7.1 virtual surround sound for my headset.
Any recommendations? I'm not looking to spend a whack load, but will put a fair amount of money down for a quality sound card.
I hear the X-FI Fatality sound card is overrated.
Opinions?
Thanks guys!
 
The x-fi extremegamer Fatal1ty can be bought for $85 AR from newegg which is a pretty decent price for it. But before purchasing a x-fi, make sure to look through the web for issues with it.
 
X-Fi Extreme gamer, or fatality x-fi extreme gamer?
Whats the difference?
Thanks.
 
the fatality is a better built card. it has digital out and is twice the size of the extreme gamer.
 
The regular XtremeGamer is the newest card, latest revision PCB. They cost reduced the XtremeMusic by removing the external I/O box and internal 5 1/4" bay connections. Has the same ADC and DACs as the Music and all the Fatality cards, same quality, and has the full hardware acceleration X-Fi sound processor. (yes, it also has digital out like the Fatality)

Oh and it doesn't have as much Creative branded bloatware.

I think they also added a front panel audio jack on the card. (I don't think all the other, older X-Fi cards have this, though I could be wrong) So if you have any interest in plugging your Chassis's headphone/mic ports into your soundcard, you might consider this.

So if your primarily a gamer, and you don't care about having a 30 unused I/O connections, this is probably the card for you. Usually runs about $85-99.

Just stay away from the XtremeAudio, very bad, no hardware acceleration.

The $250+ Elite Pro has improved ADC/DACs and better signal to noise ratio. But your gonna have to be a pretty damned hardcore audiophile for this to really attract IMHO.
 
I don't know what "virtual sorround mode" for your headphones is.

But you should research the Flexi-jack stuff Creative used on all these cards. It's interesting, and can be a headache. Basically there are 3 audio channels instead of 2 per jack on the back. If your doing regular 2 or 2.1 audio it's compatible straight out of the box no issues.

But if your wanting to run full 7.1 analog audio off the back of the card, you'll need an adapter that can tap into the extra sound channel of each of these jacks.

Goes for all of the high-end X-Fi cards, XtremeGamer, Fatality, etc etc.
 
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