Sound Blaster Live 5.1 really that crappy?

[link26]

I've been reading........ and it seems that people are complaining about the SB live 5.1, conflicts, blah blah blah.
Given that this card does have working Windows Xp drivers, is this card still that bad?
I've heard that this card will make random pop noises etc etc.

I'd like to hear people's input on this..... as I'm about to buy a sound card, but don't want to shell out so much for a turtle beach...

I just need decent performance when it comes to games and mp3's..

 

[AndyHui]

I've never had any problems with any of my SBLive cards.

 

[Jizzler]

I don't like them because of their less than perfect record when it comes to SMP boxes. So far the card that's work the best for me in all of my systems has been the Hercules GTXP.

But I haven't tested the Turtle Beach cards extensively, can't comment on them.

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

The SBLive is an alright card if you're running a mobo that'll handle it. A lot of the Via chipsets have conflicts and errors, even when on independent PCI slots and stuff.. for instance in my 8KHA+, no matter what PCI slot it was in, the Live would crackle and skip during most music and games. Some games I had to turn the sound quality down on just to get it to work.


I'd recommend a Santa Cruz...

 

[Goi]

SB Live! cards are ok for general use, but I'll only recommend their Value series for budget users, unless you can get their normal or higher series for much less than a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. In almost all other cases, I'd recommend either the Santa Cruz, Philips Acoustic Edge or Hercules GTXP

 

[Ausm]

I ran my SB Live Card on a Asus P3V4X mobo using the via chipset and never had any problems.


AUsm

 

[Thor86]

I guess depending on your setup and what you want to use it for, but the SB Live 5.1 is one of the best sounding cards on the market still IMO. You definately want to differentiate between a 5.1 and a non-5.1 SB Live. The difference in the sound quality between the two is very noticeable.

 

[GrumpyMan]

I've had mine running on a KX133 chipset and now an Intel I850 chipset. Never had any problems yet. I am thinking of getting a new one though, either an Audigy or a GameTheater, not sure yet.

 

[Mem]

Using SB Live 1024 value on my VIA KT133 board,and Audigy on my new VIA KT266A board,no problems with either,the Audigy is my favourite sound card and I would not swap it for 100 Santa Cruz sound cards .



<< I'd like to hear people's input on this..... as I'm about to buy a sound card, but don't want to shell out so much for a turtle beach...

I just need decent performance when it comes to games and mp3's.. >>




You should look at the OEM version of SBLive 5.1 sound card,or if you can afford it go up to OEM version of the Audigy or Santa Cruz.

 

[Oyeve]

<< I ran my SB Live Card on a Asus P3V4X mobo using the via chipset and never had any problems. >>


I too had this setup for quite some time and never had a problem. As a matter of fact, out of all the Sound Blaster cards I ever owned, and I think I owned basically every model they ever had staring with the Game Blaster, The only card I EVER had a problem with was the Audigy card I bought a few months ago. And I am sure its SW based and not the card itself. And its only in WinXP (No suprise there). The 2 Live cards I had, Value, 5.1 platinum, never had problems in the many systems I had them in.

 

[murphy55d]

Mine works fine... with an 8K7A.

 

[goog]

I never had any real problems with my SBLive Mp3+ card in my old Tbird/VIA KT133 rig. I now have an Intel P4 and Audigy and notice the hiss noise is gone. Also had the Audigy installed in XP no problems.

 

[BD231]

I've never had any problems with any of my SBLive cards.

 

[CubicZirconia]

I'm running a soundblaster live 5.1 in my rig right now, I don't have any problems at all.

 

[pillage2001]

<< I've never had any problems with any of my SBLive cards. >>

 

[PizzaDude]

I don't think you'd be disappointed if you bought a SB Live! 5.1 of any variation(mp3, Xgamer, etc.). I play games and music on my Live! 5.1 and I don't get crackling or compatibility problems. I would go with an original Audigy myself, but that has to fall on he low-priority side of my upgrade list.