Soundcards: What X-Fi?

[Ronin13]

I'm planning a new build and want to include a Soundblaster X-Fi card. With the new additions to the X-Fi family I'm not sure about what to get.

The soundcard will be for gaming, some music listening and the occasional DVD. I don't need an external I/O box or a remote control.

Before the introduction of the new models, the obvious choice for me would be the Extreme Music, as it's the cheapest and it fulfills my needs.

I have 2 questions.

1: I can get the OEM version of the Xtreme Music at less than half the price of the retail version. Any reason not to go for the OEM version? (I assume that the 41.92 MB driver I can download from Creative's site includes all the needed software to run the card?)

2: Any reason to go with the new Xtreme Gamer (non Fatal1ty version) instead of Xtreme Music?

(I haven't seen the Xtreme Gamer in an OEM version, so it's going to be slightly less than a retail Xtreme Music and twice as much as an OEM Xtreme Music.)

 

[Ronin13]

*bump*

 

[Gautama2]

Wheres the oem xtreme music?

 

[Seekermeister]

I only have the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, and when I have asked elsewhere about the reasons for upgrading, I never got much of an answer, so I really can't answer any of your questions. The only reason that I'm posting is to let you know that your not being ignored. I make alot of unanswered threads myself. However, in regards to the question about the OEM version, often this means that you might suffer from support or that the warranty may be less. But, I have no idea if that applies to these cards or not.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I still haven't really looked into the differences between the cards beyond Creative's own claims for them.

If you get an oem card, you should be able to get everything you need as far as software to use the card.

The Xtreme Gamer should have 64mb of xram, so that would be an advantage for it vs the Xtreme Music. I'm not sure if the overall quality of the new cards is on the same level as the original 4 products though.

Another thing to consider is the rest of your system. If you already have a good card like an Audigy 2 that you could use, you might want to skip the soundcard upgrade. (especially if your speakers are of the budget variety)

 

[Ronin13]

Originally posted by: Gautama2
Wheres the oem xtreme music?

It's here. The prices are in Danish kroner - it costs about $53, compared to the retail version which costs more than twice as much at about $118 (those are the lowest prices here.)

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
The Xtreme Gamer should have 64mb of xram, so that would be an advantage for it vs the Xtreme Music.

Not the Xtreme Gamer I was considering, which is the new, non Fatal1ty version. It retails cheaper than the Xtreme Music (and is made with a much smaller PCB).

Overall, Im pretty sure that the OEM Xtreme Music would be the best buy, but...

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I'm not sure if the overall quality of the new cards is on the same level as the original 4 products though.

... I would really like to know this as well.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

They really should have come up with a new name for their card besides Xtreme Gamer

 

[Ronin13]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
They really should have come up with a new name for their card besides Xtreme Gamer

I know - it gets confusing - Maybe Xtreme Value Gamer?

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Another thing to consider is the rest of your system. If you already have a good card like an Audigy 2 that you could use, you might want to skip the soundcard upgrade. (especially if your speakers are of the budget variety)

I have an Audigy card in my current rig, but have been looking forward to including a X-Fi card in my next build since I first read about them.

Btw, my speakers are a 4.1 setup, the Boston Acoustics BA4800 (you can see them here or here).

Surround speakers have propably evolved quite a bit since I got these, but I'm pretty satisfied with their sound (I also have the BA MicroMedia 2.1 set).

 

[ewvaname]

Ronin,

My advice: stick with your setup. I've done the research and I don't feel the X-fi is a significant improvement over the Auidgy 2ZS for the price of the new gear. If you're set on getting one any way...

All cards use the same processor with identical sound reproduction and EAX capability. It really comes down to features. All prices quoted using the Anandtech RTPE.

If you need a prosumer music production card, or the best SNR rating, get the Pro
Elite card ($264.99). Otherwise skip this option.

Decide if you want the front I/O panel or not
yes - decide between: platinum ($178.99), and pro fatal1ty FPS ($183.75)
no - decide between: xtreme music, xtreme gamer fatal1ty, and xtreme gamer

Decide if you think that XRAM is worth the extra cash [ my opinion is, no ]
yes - get either the fat1ty gamer card without I/O panel ($145.99 ), or the one with the panel ($183.75) depending on your answer to #1.
no - get the xtreme music card ($86.74)

As you may have guessed, many review sites believe the xtreme music edition is the best value for your money. All it lacks compared to the "gamer" editions is the XRAM.

 

[A5]

I'm waiting for real reviews of the new low-cost cards before I trust them - it just seems a little odd.

 

[0roo0roo]

those speakers don't really justify any upgrade. keep that wallet fat, skip this one

 

[Auric]

See here.

Either the XtremeMusic or XtremeGamer would make a significant difference in content. If size and connectivity are not factors then whichever is cheaper... and it seems like with such a good price you may be able to recoup most of the cost by selling the Audigy.

 

[Ronin13]

Bad news.

Apparently the OEM Xtreme Music I was considering isn't a real Xtreme Music, lacking EAX 5.0, as some who have bought it have found out the hard way (they say it's not the card in the picture. The site is in Danish).

This leaves me with the choice of the (retail) Xtreme Music and the (retail) new Xtreme Gamer.

While they seem to be pretty identical, feature-wise, I suspect the smaller PCB of the Xtreme Gamer.

Does anyone here have experiences with it yet or seen reviews of it?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Ronin13
Bad news.

Apparently the OEM Xtreme Music I was considering isn't a real Xtreme Music, lacking EAX 5.0, as some who have bought it have found out the hard way (they say it's not the card in the picture. The site is in Danish).

This leaves me with the choice of the (retail) Xtreme Music and the (retail) new Xtreme Gamer.

While they seem to be pretty identical, feature-wise, I suspect the smaller PCB of the Xtreme Gamer.

Does anyone here have experiences with it yet or seen reviews of it?

Guess it was an Xtreme Audio then?

 

[Ronin13]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
Guess it was an Xtreme Audio then?

I can't know for sure, but I don't think so. My guess is that he Xtreme Audio only is out in retail boxes at this time, and if the ones ordering an OEM Xtreme Music had gotten such a box they would certainly have commented on it.

The strange thing is that several on-line shops here have the OEM Xtreme Music listed and they're all using a picture of a real Xtreme Music (without the retail box) to go along with it...

I think I'll try to locate the OEM version in a store and report back what it looks like.

 

[Auric]

I don't read the language but perhaps there is a disclaimer about the image in the description. However, bung the part number into google and it is indeed the cut-down Xtreme Audio so "Xtreme Music OEM" does seem a misrepresentation.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Video cards pioneered the oem versions that were inferior to the retail versions. Not suprised to see it with audio cards too.

 

[Ronin13]

Originally posted by: Auric
I don't read the language but perhaps there is a disclaimer about the image in the description. However, bung the part number into google and it is indeed the cut-down Xtreme Audio so "Xtreme Music OEM" does seem a misrepresentation.

No, there's no disclaimer.

I should have thought about googling the product code myself

I'll be looking for it myself, but if anyone sees a review of the new Xtreme Gamer please swing by this thread with a link.