What's a good economic sound card for 5.1 system?

[Techie333]

Well here is the dilemma. I am selling this system to my friend which has integrated sound because I never really bothered with sound, 2 speaker system was fine for me. However, he says he will buy it only if I add a sound card capable of supporting a 5.1 Surround System cause he's gonna buy z-640's or something like that for it. Well, I need a sound card that can support it but I don't want to spend too much $$$$$$$$$ because it's not for me. Any advice please?

 

[KingNothing]

SB Live series, I just went from a philips Acoustic Edge to an SB Live X-gamer and the difference is marked and good.

 

[bleeb]

Originally posted by: KingNothing
SB Live series, I just went from a philips Acoustic Edge to an SB Live X-gamer and the difference is marked and good.

 

[bandana163]

The Sb Live 5.1 - especially with the hacked drivers - or an Audigy.

 

[Techie333]

how much do they run for?
and seriously is that the cheapest 5.1 card now?

 

[moonshinemadness]

They are cheap, mine was 60£ when it first came out

 

[manly]

SB Live sucks.

Get a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. That's widely considered the best, low-cost PCI sound card. Esp. when you consider what people pay for them after rebate/PM.

 

[Techie333]

How about this one off of pricewatch? LOL.
link

 

[KEV1N]

I second the TBSC.. I have one and it's awesome. I upgraded from my mobo's onboard C-Media 6.1

 

[Whisper]

I forget what TBSC and Live 5.1 are considered better at...but I'm fairly certain that the TBSC is more liked as far as music playback goes. Maybe the soundblasters were better with gaming...not sure.

 

[Maleficus]

TBSC > *

 

[TheBoyBlunder]

TBSC, especially when they're $40 at Circuit City.

 

[Techie333]

lookin for cheaper solution here........how about the 5.1 c-media chip..... CMI8738??
Do you really think it makes a huge difference?

 

[Nitemare]

Cheapest off pricewatch

 

[Techie333]

LOL......i know.....but I'm confused? Hey, how about sound blaster live value? Does that support 5.1 systems?

 

[Mr N8]

Abit AU10 can be had for ~$25, and it a better card than the SB live. Also comes w/remote, if that matters.

 

[KingNothing]

I bought my X-gamer used for $17 from FS/T. I'm pretty sure it supports 5.1, too lazy too look it up, I have a 4.2 system.

What's this about hacked drivers?

 

[bandana163]

Softmodded drivers (misery started at Futuremark forums) which sound better, the sound is clearer even on headphones, not to mention wooden speakers.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Vaerilis
Softmodded drivers (misery started at Futuremark forums) which sound better, the sound is clearer even on headphones, not to mention wooden speakers.

Link?

 

[bandana163]

Google a bit. I don't remember. The drivers I use are Pax IV 283 Pro.