Sound Card Reccomendation

[igloo15]

I know most people recommend just going with onboard audio but I really want to get something alittle bit better since my computer is going to become my everything computer. TV, Movies, Games everything basically. So I have a 5.1 surround sound speaker setup and I am looking for a sound card to add to my system that is about 50 dollars or so. Finding recommendations on soundcards in this range is tough seems like no one cares at all about sound cards. So any recommendation would be good.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What kind of speakers are you using?

For an all-around card, you should be able to find an X-Fi on sale for about that much.

 

[igloo15]

They are Altec Lansing 5.1 speakers and I have looked into XFI cards and they all seem to be in the 100 dollar range except for the XFI Audio card which i have read is not really XFI

 

[Sdiver2489]

Originally posted by: igloo15
They are Altec Lansing 5.1 speakers and I have looked into XFI cards and they all seem to be in the 100 dollar range except for the XFI Audio card which i have read is not really XFI

I would invest in new speakers before a sound card upgrade IMO

 

[igloo15]

I don't have alot of money if you could recommend something for new speakers that are inexpensive then maybe I would upgrade

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Recommended X-FI + Opamp and Capacitor mod = :thumbsup:

 

[igloo15]

I found an Xtreme Gamer XFI card for 39.99 so i think I am gonna get that one

 

[bigsnyder]

Great buy.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: igloo15
I don't have alot of money if you could recommend something for new speakers that are inexpensive then maybe I would upgrade

sounds like you should just save up for new speakers before thinking about soundcards, its a waste of money otherwise.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: igloo15
I found an Xtreme Gamer XFI card for 39.99 so i think I am gonna get that one

Xtreme Gamer is a lousy card with cheaper components and sound quality as bad as, and sometimes worse than onboard sound. If that's the route you want to go, you might as well just get new speakers.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: igloo15
I found an Xtreme Gamer XFI card for 39.99 so i think I am gonna get that one

Xtreme Gamer is a lousy card with cheaper components and sound quality as bad as, and sometimes worse than onboard sound. If that's the route you want to go, you might as well just get new speakers.

I've never heard on board sound that is even remotely close to an xfi...always issues with digital noise, static, hums, and no support for EAX.

You don't have to buy the $200 XFI platinum to get good quality from it.

 

[Ghouler]

X-Fi Xtreme Gamer seems to be quite remote from "lousy" as far as I can read the specs... But maybe I am wrong. What's up with this card, Coolnessrune?
I can't see anything wrong with it. Xtreme Gamer uses the same X-Fi chip as other sound cards (bar Xtreme Audio)

Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer

SPECIFICATIONS

Technical Specs
24-bit Analog-to-Digital conversion of analog inputs: 96kHz sample rate
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of digital sources: 96kHz to analog 7.1 speaker output
24-bit Digital-to-Analog conversion of stereo digital sources: 192kHz to stereo output
16-bit to 24-bit recording sampling rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48 and 96kHz
ASIO 2.0 support: 16-bit/44.1kHz, 16-bit/48kHz, 24-bit/44.1kHz 24-bit/48kHz and 24-bit/96kHz with direct monitoring
Enhanced SoundFont support: Up to 24-bit resolution
Audio Performance (Rated Output @ 2Vrms, Typical Value)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (20kHz Low-pass filter, A-Weighted): Stereo Output 109dB
Front and Rear Channels 109dB
Center, Subwoofer and Side Channels 109dB
Total Harmonic Distortion + Noise at 1kHz (20kHz Low-pass filter): 0.004%
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/96kHz input ): 10Hz to 46kHz
Frequency Response (-3dB, 24-bit/192kHz input): 10Hz to 88kHz (Stereo only)
Connectivity
Speaker and Headphone connections: Stereo to 7.1 (Line Out via three 3.5mm mini jacks)
Flexijack: Line In / Microphone In / Optical Out¹ via shared 3.5mm mini jack
Auxiliary Line level Input: 4-pin Molex connector
Front Panel Header Intel HD Audio Compatible (2x5pin)

source: creative.com

 

[igloo15]

Well it doesn't matter I got it for 39.99 at Frys.com and according to newegg the reviews are pretty good. I don't expect an amazing setup as I would get from 200-300 dollar sound cards and 300 dollar speakers but I expect it will be better then my onboard sound and offload the cpu cycles normally used during onboard sound. Not to mention I can connect my 5.1 speakers to it.

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: igloo15
I found an Xtreme Gamer XFI card for 39.99 so i think I am gonna get that one

Xtreme Gamer is a lousy card with cheaper components and sound quality as bad as, and sometimes worse than onboard sound. If that's the route you want to go, you might as well just get new speakers.

The XG is a real X-Fi, just with a more compact card - the XtremeAudio is a rebadged Audigy2 SE, and it does suck.