Soundcard and Keyboard

[fatdragondzc]

I'm looking for a decent, not too over the top sound card with digital in-put for so I can run my game console sound through my PC.

I'm also looking for an Illuminated or back lit keyboard. I'm a casual gamer so I don't need something as extreme as a G15. I want something with a nice design and looks clean on my desk.
My OS is going to Vista Ultimate 64, just in case for driver issues.

 

[Ghouler]

You can easily find threads about best sound cards for games here on AT, most people swear by X-Fi and the drivers were ironed out at this stage. Those who want an alternative to Creative pick one of the Xonar cards - they are not as optimized for gaming but they are decent, too and work fine in most cases. One consideration though - if you intend to hook up an analog surround setup to your PC and use your sound card as a Dolby decoder for audio coming via digital input - only a few sound cards can do this. You would have to check the specs. I mean the fact that a sound card has an optical input does not mean that you will be able to decode 5.1 dolby stream connected to that input. As far as I know you could do that with upper Audigy cards - i.e. those that came with the external drive bay ("Platinum") Not sure about the X-Fi or Xonar cards.

 

[corkyg]

As for a backlit keyboard, my only experience is with the Saitek Eclipse II, and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

Saitek

 

[Sparky654]

This is my first backlit keyboard, and absolutely love it. It has 3 colors and 3 light level settings. The only issue i have is with the number pad. The number lock has to be turned off for the other functions to work.

ideazon merc stealth

 

[fatdragondzc]

Does this have 5.1 decoder on it? I'm really new to sound cards as I always use the onboard sound.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16829271001

 

[octopus41092]

I have a Razer Barracuda AC-1 Sound Card, that has SPDIF optical in. Also, for a keyboard I have a Razer Lycosa. I think it's really clean and looks pretty nice.

 

[xdarkfluxx]

Creative SoundBlaster X-FI titanium if you can still find it. Or the Creative SoundBlaster X-FI Fatality edition basically the same thing but branded and more expensive.

For keyboard Logitech G11 (a G15 but without the screen but you get the nice macro buttons)
Or a Saitek III (5 colors wow!)