Audigy ES vs Audigy 2 Value

[bq16]

Ok here's the link for both cards:

Audigy ES:
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=29-102-166&depa=0

Audigy 2 Value:
http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=29-102-179&depa=0

I want the best sound card for my money. my current setup:

AMD AthlonXP 2800+
512 MB DDR PC-2700
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
MSI MS-6734 Motherboard (Using AC'97 onboard audio)

I usually listen to music and play games (warcraft 3, counter-strike source, cs 1.6, half-life 2) on my pc, and I use the Plantronics Audio .70 Headset. So will the Audigy ES be a good quality choice that supports all the EAX effects and etc, or will the Audigy 2 be much much better at games and music playback?

Thx for any input

 

[bq16]

nobody has any of these cards?

 

[Regs]

I don't know what EAX functions the ES has over the value, I thought none. The ES is just another tweaked version of the original Audigy 2.

If you don't have a very good set of 5.1 surround sound speakers, won't even bother spending the extra cash.

 

[Chris2wire]

ive got the audigy 2 value, its the same as any audigy 2 but has less extras.

anyways, it sounds great

 

[Shenkoa]

I have the original Audigy 2, and its all I will ever want, untill they release 32 bit Audio.

Go for the Value. It has 7.1 along with 24 Bit recording vs. Audigy 1's 16 Bit recording. The Audigy 2 value is still a true 24 Bit sound card.

 

[ingko]

Just bought the value today at compusa for 56 after pricematching with microcenter......i hope its good.

 

[flamingspinach]

Get the Audigy2 Value, definitely.

-fs

 

[fr]

Is the ES not based off the same EMU10K chipset as the Audigy 1/2?

 

[sleepeeg3]

Originally posted by: fr
Is the ES not based off the same EMU10K chipset as the Audigy 1/2?

Yes. Although comparing CPU usage benchmarks, I think they may have tweaked the DSP mildly in the Audigy 2 series. ...or maybe it's just the drivers?

None of the Audigys support true 24-bit sound. They upconvert from 16-bit. Total sham.

For the record, I have and think the safest bet is the A2 value.

 

[WT]

Interesting .. I didn't even know they had a Value Audigy. I have the Audigy ES but I couldn't tell you the difference between that and the regular Audigy, other than price ! They aren't very well supported, unless you read that you can use hacked (not quite the right term for them really) drivers, or use the Audigy 2 drivers which work on the Audigy 1.