What sound card with low cpu utilization for 2 speaker setup?

[Dug]

I need to get a cheap soundcard that won't cause me any problems,
with nice clean sound for 2 speakers only.

Something that is XP compatible that works right out of the box.

Tired of all the 3dsound, dolby, etc. crap that always needs new drivers or has compatiblity problems.

Thanks

 

[Colt45]

SB16 ISA

haha thats what ive got

 

[Dug]

Would the pci version be fine? I don't have any isa slots.

I had troubles with a sblive card, but what about the standard pci sb cards?

 

[sonicworld]

GREAT question! I've been having all kinds of problems with Windows XP, when playing games, and it turned out to be a problem with my Aureal sound card. So now I'm looking for a non ISA card as well. Anyone???

 

[Lalakai]

if you're really looking to minimize cpu utilization, the Santa Cruz is rated near the top for that, but it's a bit overkill for a 2 speaker system. Then again, if your mb has the VIA chipset, soundblaster has terrible history of random conflicts with that chipset, which the Santa Cruz avoids.

I'm in the same boat, currently using the Vortex 2500 and even though I do most of my listening through headphones, I'll probably still go with the Santa Cruz, for those times when I do want to use speakers (2+sub), and as a good hedge for the future. 'Sides, the performance of the Santa Cruz is also supposed to be very good regardless of your speaker configuration.

 

[Chadder007]

Sound Blaster 128 PCI
...I wish I hadn't of gotten this Diamond MX300. Drivers anyone?