Sound Card Recommendation

[CoBRaXT]

Hi,

Currently I have no sound card and am using ingrated sound on my mobo (SiS) and have Altec 4100 speakers.

Would a sound card enhance the sound output of my speakers that much or will it be unnoticable?

If yes, what sound card do you guys recommend? I really don't look forward to spending over $30 on a sound card, so anything below or around that price range would be fine.

Thanks for any help.

CoBRa

 

[Brian48]

At that price range, you're really limited to either a SBLive value or Muse XL, with an Fortissimo II OEM as a slightly more expensive option ($32 over at newegg.com).

I've all of them and they all work fine, but I'd get the F2 because of all the input/output options.

 

[jcmkk]

You could also get a Creative Live! 5.1 OEM sound card for around $30. If you can get it to work right, then it is a good card, but they can be troublesome at times. I've never had any trouble setting up that particualar card, but I have with other creative sound cards.

 

[WyteWatt]

Well if you wanted to spend $59.99 for the Santa Cruz retail sound card its a really good sound card with the best driver support you could ever ask for. Drivers are updated at least ever 3 months if not more. Compusa has the Santa Cruz orginally for $79.99 most of the time but when there is a sale it has a $20 instant rebate sometimes so its $59.99 out of store plus tax. But sense you do not want to spend over $30 then this may not be a good choose. But i know Philps sound cards out there may be a good choose too which should be cheaper.

 

[butch84]

I would also opt for the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. I got in on the $60 deal at CompUSA even though i work at Best Buy. I love the card. I have never hadany problems. and i really like the way its drivers/control panel is set up. No more notorious Soundblaster compatability for me. Whatever you do, stay away from creative products as long as you are buying now.

 

[WyteWatt]

And stay away from IBM HDS too.

 

[exp]

<< Would a sound card enhance the sound output of my speakers that much or will it be unnoticable? >>

It depends what kind of integrated chip you have now. If you're using AC97 then for God's sake buy a new soundcard ASAP (SB Live Value will be fine). If OTOH you have C-media sound then you probably won't notice much improvement, if any, so stick with the status quo.

 

[exp]

<< And stay away from IBM HDS too. >>

LOL Ain't that the truth.

 

[CoBRaXT]

 

[CoBRaXT]

sorry for the blank message above...

but anyways, I do have AC97 integrated sound...heh...is it really THAT bad?
I guess I'll go with the SB Live, unless what Butch said about Creative products is true,
then I'll think about going with the Santa Cruz...

CoBRa

 

[butch84]

well, creative is okay sometimes, but they are notorious for having compatability problems with certain chipsets. I think the Live! series also has a memory leak in winXP. Unfortunately, they dont update their drivers very often. If you buy a creative product, you wont die. BUT, as long as you are buying new now, why not get something you know has a better track record??

BTW, what imtim83 said about IBM hard drives is true today. however, i have never had any probs with either of my IBM drives, although next time im not getting another one (recent scandal with the 120 GXP scared me off).

Butch

 

[bjc112]

the santa cruz, IMHO is definately worth the money... great drivers, great sound, no probs