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Sound BlasterX AE-5

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polonyc2

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I'm planning a new gaming build and am looking into the possibility of a dedicated internal sound card...the AE-5 seems to get good reviews...anyone have any experience with it?...much better audio then built-in motherboard?...any issues as far as Creative software and W10 support?
 
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Is the Pelude in your sig broken?

If so, something like a Schiit Hel would probably better.

Otherwise... I've had pretty good luck with Creative software lately, but I haven't had an actual card in quite some time. I tried and returned a base Z due to some wackiness with the headphone output, but one of the motherboards I have has a Creative 'solution' that works well. Stuff should just work.
 
IdiotInCharge said:
Is the Pelude in your sig broken?

If so, something like a Schiit Hel would probably better.

Otherwise... I've had pretty good luck with Creative software lately, but I haven't had an actual card in quite some time. I tried and returned a base Z due to some wackiness with the headphone output, but one of the motherboards I have has a Creative 'solution' that works well. Stuff should just work.
Click to expand...

the Prelude is not physically broken but the W10 update from last May caused it to stop being recognized (I've been using onboard audio)...the Creative software is what worries me...Windows Updates seem to break sound card software more often then not and Creative barely puts out new drivers...that's my main concern...I'm planning on an all new AMD Ryzen build within the next few weeks and can't decide if I want to deal with the sound card headaches

I heard good things about about those Schitt products but do they work with 5.1 speakers?...I don't use headphones
 
polonyc2 said:
Windows Updates seem to break sound card software more often then not and Creative barely puts out new drivers...that's my main concern...
Click to expand...

Creative puts out plenty of new drivers. That same windows update that you mentioned, that broke your previous card, also affected most Creative cards. Creative quickly put out new drivers to directly address that issue, even for their cards that are 15+ years old. That's pretty amazing actually, considering most companies (NVidia, AMD, etc) don't hesitate to abandon driver support for products that old. I run Creative X-Fi Titanium cards in both of my gaming computers and Creative has always come through with new drivers when they are needed.
 
Yeah, I'm not ready to let Creative off the hook for the shit they've pulled over the years, but in general, their current lineup is pretty solid and they support their products fairly well.

If anything, that whole transition that Microsoft forced on the industry with Vista has resulted in more stable audio software today. Painful for the worst offenders, but even Creative has caught up.


That all said... I'd still just get an external USB DAC. Just no reason to get a sound card these days. If you want more functionality, get an actual audio interface.
 
The high end Creative Stuff is good if you have the cash for it. I've always run one with few issues.
 
OFaceSIG said:
The high end Creative Stuff is good if you have the cash for it. I've always run one with few issues.
Click to expand...
Yup. I see two main uses for their stuff:
  • You want >2.0 / 2.1 channel analog out (for digital, just use a receiver)
  • You can make use of their surround downmixing stuff / other applications / features
 
does Schiit Hel support 5.1 audio?...or do they only support 2 channel?...seems like they are primarily designed for headphones and a microphone
 
If you want 5.1 analog out, the AE-5 looks to be a decent solution. For 5.1 you just need clean line outputs, as your speakers have an amp (assuming some 5.1 system).
 
GotNoRice said:
Creative puts out plenty of new drivers. That same windows update that you mentioned, that broke your previous card, also affected most Creative cards. Creative quickly put out new drivers to directly address that issue, even for their cards that are 15+ years old. That's pretty amazing actually, considering most companies (NVidia, AMD, etc) don't hesitate to abandon driver support for products that old. I run Creative X-Fi Titanium cards in both of my gaming computers and Creative has always come through with new drivers when they are needed.
Click to expand...

what's the difference between Sound Blaster Command vs Sound Blaster Connect software drivers?...they both seem identical yet Creative lists them as 2 separate drivers on their Downloads page
 
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