What is the real X-fi??

[Herradura]

Im looking to buy a x-fi card but I have been reading and hearing reviews that some of the newer "X-fi" cards don't really have the real or original x-fi chipset in the card thus not having as good Qaultiy and features like Gaming, Music settings. If this is true can someone point me in the directions of the cheapest, true, quality x-fi card? thank you

 

[lilohtpc3]

Urr...Will you be usin VISTA?

If so, the XFI (20K2) DSP will be as usefull as onboard codec, so why bother??
VISTA's new UAA has block the direct talk between programs and hardware sound chip, plus the quad core CPU is stronger than ever, it's really pointless to get any cards with XFI dsp...

 

[Herradura]

No I will be using XP 32

 

[ViRGE]

The real/fake dichotomy comes from the fact that Creative is calling products X-Fis even when they don't use the X-Fi DSP. Currently only the X-Fi XtremeAudio is the only fake X-Fi soundcard, the others are all real. Currently the X-Fi XtremeGamer is the cheapest real X-Fi, I think it's going for around $60-$70 on Newegg.

 

[bigsnyder]

Be sure to check the Creative refurb sale starting tomorrow (there is already a thread about it in the hot deals section). The X-Fi Platinum will go on sale for $59.
This is the non-Fata1ty version, never the less a good buy.