I need a middle of the road gaming sound card? What kind?

[agent1]

Windows 98
400 mhz Celeron
16mb 3dfx Voodoo3 Video Card

I would like better sound than my integrated chip on my motherboard. Would like a PCI card, but do not know of good manufactuers. Around 100 bucks. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

 

[Elledan]

I always recommend a SoundBlaster card.

I use the SB 128 PCI and I'm really happy with it and it costs about $26-27 here.
Later versions of the SB cards are pretty good as well.

 

[Mutilator]

$100 is kinda high for a sound card... but I'd have to recommend the Creative Labs Soundblaster Live! Value... you can get em for about $35-$40 and they're probably one of the best and most recommended sound cards out there.
(Just my opinion cause I own one.. no flaming! )

 

[andylawcc]

live! value oem

 

[mosdef]

SB Live 1024 OEM - search for Live 1024 OEM at pricewatch

-mosdef

 

[bigjon]

Live! Value (MP3+, Gamer, Live have essentially the same hardware and the same sound quality).

Plus, if you have a Dolby Digital receiver you can easily make a S/PDIF output to connect your Live! to your receiver digitally.

 

[Wingznut]

I've owned a SBLive! an MX300, and now a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, and I'm going to guarantee something...

Those recommending the SBLive! for audio gaming quality, have never experienced the Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz is a much, much better card, ESPECIALLY for gaming. Since it's not available OEM, it'll cost close to $100. But it is so worth it.

The A3D cards are a whole lot better for gaming too, but I can understand not recommending those due to Aureal's uncertainness.

 

[ModemMix]

sound blaster live value OEM

 

[kornermi]

Is there only one 'sound blaster live value'? Or, are live value 128, 512, 1024 all different? BTW, what do those numbers mean? It's kind of hard to find stores that carry live value 1024. Thanks.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Wait a little bit and be our guinnie pig for the new Philips sound card Or try the Santa cruz or aureal cards. sb live if ya gotta...
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