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good, cheap, gaming sound card?

slugg

slugg

Diamond Member
I'm not sure which forum would be most appropriate for this question... sorry :-/

Anyways, I'm looking for a good, but cheap sound card for gaming. Vista support is a must.

I was looking at the SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio (PCI-E version), but I hear it has no hardware support for EAX or any DSP in general. This is something that's pretty important for gaming.

Also, I'd like ASIO compatibility, if possible... but this won't make/break a deal for me.

Any suggestions?
 
Originally posted by: slugg
I'm not sure which forum would be most appropriate for this question... sorry :-/

Anyways, I'm looking for a good, but cheap sound card for gaming. Vista support is a must.

I was looking at the SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio (PCI-E version), but I hear it has no hardware support for EAX or any DSP in general. This is something that's pretty important for gaming.

Also, I'd like ASIO compatibility, if possible... but this won't make/break a deal for me.

Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

What speakers do you have?
 
Well, if you want the latest EAX support, you're stuck with one of the Creative X-fi cards or the Auzentech X-Fi (which, while awesome, is definitely not cheap).

Personally, I don't think EAX support is the most important aspect of a card, so I'd recommend looking at something like the Razer Barracuda AC-1 (outstanding sound quality, and they finally fixed the buggy drivers), or one of the cheaper Auzentech cards..
 
I have Logitech Z-5300 speakers... They have a THX certification, if that really means anything anyways.
 
Originally posted by: slugg
I have Logitech Z-5300 speakers... They have a THX certification, if that really means anything anyways.
Click to expand...

I would just go with a X-fi xtremegamer assuming you game fairly regularly. I believe Creative has gotten most of the Xfi+Vista issues sorted out.
 
I had the xtreme gamer and the HT Omega Striker.. The Striker wins hands down. You could also look into the $30 Creative Audology SE.
 
Originally posted by: Chosonman
I had the xtreme gamer and the HT Omega Striker.. The Striker wins hands down. You could also look into the $30 Creative Audology SE.
Click to expand...

In terms of software, depending on the individual, that may or may not be true. However, based on analog output quality...definitely not.
 
What about the M-Audio Revolution 5.1? It appears to have the hardware capacity to do ASIO, and is cheap at $80 CAD.
 
Xtreme Gamer and Music are the only ones that fit the specs at a reasonable price (and the more costly are virtually pointless). As far as I'm aware Creative does not yet offer a DSP on PCIe.

 
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