Sound Cards?

[mujo]

Ok, I've been looking into purchasing a sound card. I just have a few questions. I hear that they actually improve FPS and game performance by taking some of the processing/RAM load off and transfering it to the card..this true? That would probably be my main motivation for buying one. As my onboard sound isn't half bad. A few that I've been looking at:

Link---->> Creative Labs sound cards <<----Link

Now, I'm biased towards Creative Labs because my brother has one and its superb, and I have a cheap ($20) 2.1 system I bought at wal-mart from creative, and its sweet. I won't go with any other brands, unless you show me one thats really impressive.

I am leaning towards the Fatality card, It's a bit pricey, but it has a higher KHz, and has its own RAM (from what I understand.)

[Raptor]

Hmm, I bought a Creative Soundblaster Live! a couple years back and was amazed by it. For computer audio i have always gone with creative. The next logical choice would be logitech but i dont like them for audio, i do love logitech's mice and keyboards though. Anyway, if you like clear audio look into the Creative X-Fi series of sound cards. A bit pricey but very nice. I actually recently bought a Creative Xmod, http://reviews.cnet.com/Creative_Xmod/4 ... 05686.html , take a look at what it is and what it does, and I am truly amazed by the X-Fi quality, even if it isnt a full sound card.

[Dog]

I have an X-Fi.....nice card...! Fast and much reduces any load on the processor...
My Dell originally came with an on-board soundcard which would usually crash/freeze my DoD Source games!
After the X-Fi...no crashes whatsoever...!

[Willie Busserhimen]

creative is the way to go. get the best one you can afford.

[mujo]

OK, I've narrowed it down to this one:

Creative XtremeMusic X-fi

What do you all think? The rebate offer ends on the 15th, so I have five days to think about it

[Dog]

Nice card. I have one!

[Raptor]

Go for it, its a good card.

[Simple]

Buy 2 of them and send me the extra so I can test it out for ya and I will let you know

[mujo]

Heh, Thanks for the advice guys. I really appreciate it. I've just always used Onboard sound, and never had problems, but I'm excited about the Performance increase I'll get with a X-fi. Again, THanks, I'll be ordering it tonight.

[Simple]

Both of them right ????

[DaKon]

Get it. Had mine 1 year love it.

[mujo]

[quote="Simple";p="6852"]
Both of them right ????
[/quote]



You must have me confused with 'Rich mUj0'

[Simple]

But it's x-mas time and I have been a good boy

[mujo]

After careful consideration, and much thinking, I've decided to order one. Should be at my doorstep sometime Thursday evening. I have all day Friday off to test it

[mujo]

oK, StrontiumDog, since you already have this card, perhaps you can enlighten me. I have installed it, it works, 'ok'. I notice a bit more surround with my headphones, and a bit more bass, thats about it. of course..I"m still trying different settings, and different games...but tell me, what is this 24 bit crystalizer and what does it do? and should i have it on? a little help with the settings part might be nice, I know squat about sound.

ALso, i played around a little, and so far, the sound is really muffled.