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which X-FI? what's the difference?

D

Davegod

Platinum Member
Realised I've had my Audigy for like 6 years so figuring on getting an upgrade.

Ignoring the ones with drive bays etc there's "music", "gamer" and "fatality" editions, which one do I want? Mostly interested in how good it is for games. Can't seem to find a decent comparison.

Gamer seems the obvious choice but while it's more expensive (if slightly) it just looks like a more cheaply made card - it's smaller and there's less on it, plastic plug covers etc.

Fatality edition is more expensive by the price of a game, appears to be the better made card and has ram on it (any games actually making use of that?). Does come with a free headset, though I have good headphones (without mic). Given how long I had the previous card I'll pay the extra if it's really worth it.
 
I know that the lower-end X-Fi cards don't actually have an X-Fi chip, and they use the CPU to do software sound processing. Unfortunately, I don't know where the "real" X-Fi range starts. I think it's the Xtreme Music, but check that with someone else...
 
The XtremeAudio has an older chip, an updated Audigy chip I think. All the others have the brand new X-Fi chip.

And yes, I have the XtremeAudio. But hey, it was cheap, sounds great, and I'm far from a hardcore gamer so... fair deal to me. 😀
 
I think XtremeMusic is where it starts and the XtremeGamer Fatality pro edition (the one in my sig) has the 64mb memory.


 
Seems the Gamer one is the real deal, for the main chip anyway. I'm still a bit suspicious how they managed to cut half the components off the card though. Otherwise there's the fatality one for the xram, I just dont know if any games make use of it.

Also now put off that there might be revisions coming out soon, though maybe FYouFragU got mixed up with the driver update improving vista compatibility?

trOver, I can't find any Omega Claro here in UK, read a promising review of it on Elite Bast*rds, who seemed to find it better in many ways than x-fi but did say it wasnt quite so good for games - they also commented on how hard it is to find here :/.
 
If gaming is one of your main concerns, especially in Vista, there's really no other choice besides an X-Fi. Auzentech just came out with their X-Fi card with DDLive and there's a few integrated X-Fi on high-end motherboards.

MS drastically changed the sound stack in Vista by killing DirectSound support in DirectX so that you'll only get EAX positional effects in games if your card supports OpenAL. In legacy EAX games that don't support OpenAL in Vista, you'll only get EAX support through ALchemy. This is all dependent on the games themselves supporting OpenAL or EAX. Otherwise, everything in Vista defaults to PCM stereo. You may get "surround sound" through whatever card you're using, but its essentially Pro Logic, 2-channel sound upmixed to your surround sound set-up.

Difference between the cards with the 20K1 chip basically comes down to the quality of the various DSPs, DACs and ADCs. There's also X-RAM but its completely gimmicky and not even worth considering in your decision. Some of the earlier reviews break down the exact differences in the components, but basically breaks out to Elite Pro has the best of everything with upgraded DAC and DSP. X-Fi Pro/Fatal1ty has X-RAM but not as good DAC/DSP as the Elite Pro. Platinum has no X-RAM but same DAC or DSP as the Elite Pro. XtremeGamer has cut down DAC/DSP and a few other features.

Best balance between gaming and general listening is probably the XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro edition. Its the same card as the Champion/FPS, it just doesn't have the drive bay add-on. Can be had for around $100 after MIR from Newegg/Fry's etc. There's also the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude, but its very pricy and the drivers are still written by Creative.
 
Originally posted by: trOver
ht omega claro

stay away from creative....
Click to expand...

never tried that sound card, but i agree with trover.

People are all telling me also to stay away from creative.
 
The XtremeMusic is the better card. However its going away and the XtremeGamer is its replacement. So basically you want the XtremeMusic, if you can still find it, or the XtremeGamer. The Fatal1ty card is just marketing gimmick deal with Creative and Wendel. Many people dont consider it as good as the original XtremeMusic. I doubt its as good as the XtremeGamer either.

Short answer is get the XtremeMusic if you can, if not, then get the XtremeGamer. As far as Creative X-Fi cards go.

Note: There have been alot of driver problems between Creative and VISTA since VISTA's launch and people have been using non-Creative cards instead to get around the compatability problems.
 
I assume those driver issues are with people with Vista and 'proper' X-Fi cards. How's the compatibility with the X-Fi ExtremeAudio then? I have one of those, and since it has the older chip I guess it could be OK? Does anyone know?

Don't wanna format and install Vista just to gamble on it. Only reason I uninstalled Vista was sound issues with my onboard audio.
 
Originally posted by: Skott
The XtremeMusic is the better card. However its going away and the XtremeGamer is its replacement. So basically you want the XtremeMusic, if you can still find it, or the XtremeGamer. The Fatal1ty card is just marketing gimmick deal with Creative and Wendel. Many people dont consider it as good as the original XtremeMusic. I doubt its as good as the XtremeGamer either.

Short answer is get the XtremeMusic if you can, if not, then get the XtremeGamer. As far as Creative X-Fi cards go.

Note: There have been alot of driver problems between Creative and VISTA since VISTA's launch and people have been using non-Creative cards instead to get around the compatability problems.
Click to expand...

X-Treme Music

Fatal1ty FPS

XtremeGamer Half-Height

They use the same components down to the DAC and op amps, just the Pro/FPS has the X-RAM and the FPS has the faceplate. Platinum is the same as the XtremeMusic but it has the face plate also. Elite Pro uses a different DAC (CS4392 I think) and a few other upgraded components and better SNR. Actually looks like the XtremeGamer half-height uses most of the same main components as the Fatil1ty and XtremeMusic (DAC, ADC, op amps).

I had problems with my X-Fi after I installed 4GB, with 2GB it was fine in both XP and Vista 64. The November driver fixed my problem and its been fine since.

But ya, Creative can drag their feet on drivers and compatibility. I don't believe its completely their fault but it leaves the end-user with a lot of potential headaches. However, to me its worth dealing with it because the huge difference between onboard sound and Creative cards/EAX in games has always been worth any inconvenience.
 
with vista as said above sound card is losing importance for gaming functions.
audiology you have has decent sound quality already. keep it. save your money.
 
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