X-Fi Platinum

[Nameless1990]

It's down to $81 after a $100 MIR (ouch!). I'm no audiophile, so I'm not certain what all the specs mean. I have the Logitech X-230 speakers, and my guess is this card would be overkill for my setup? But for this price is it ok to buy more than I really need?

I also got my speakers for free with gift cards, so upgrading them isn't out of the question. Probably not for another year though.

 

[Boyo]

It's still overkill at $81.00. Sorry, but you just don't have the set-up to really use it to its fullest. Wait until you upgrade your speaker set, then worry about the sound card.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Are you doing gaming or music?

You can get a great music card for about $25.

 

[Slugbait]

I wouldn't say it's overkill...I have the Audigy 2 Platinum, and really like having Firewire on the front bezel for capturing video from my Canon Elura 100.

Of course, it also depends on what card you have now...if it's onboard sound, the X-Fi would simply be a great upgrade, and it will make any speaker or headphone upgrade worth it should you choose to do that later.

 

[shroud72]

I bought the X-FI Extreme Music for the same reason, I got it on a really good deal and figured with 51 million transistors its gotta be doing something better then my onboard sound. I'm building my new system tomarrow so anxious to see how the games react to it. Also something else to consider, the X-Fi is the only soundcard that supports Direct3d Sound in Vista for older games this is important, at least to me.
I'm using Harman Kardon Soundstick II speakers which I'm very happy with their 2.1 performance so I'm expecting to hear a difference with my new computer and X-Fi.

 

[Nameless1990]

I'll be doing both gaming and listening to music, lots of media for me. Also this is for a whole new system, so I'm not upgrading from anything.

 

[Nameless1990]

Any other opinions?

 

[Trashman]

I say get it....dang good deal, for a sweet card.
overkill....BAH

 

[Smartazz]

Do you play Battlefield 2?

 

[Nameless1990]

Still OOS and coming up on the last day for the rebate. No Battlefield 2 for me.

 

[0roo0roo]

those speakers are very very low end. buy new speakers before buying a new sound card... speakers costing atleast 3-4x+ the cost of the soundcard or its simply a big waste of money.

 

[BigShroom]

$100 MIR? I loathe the mail in rebate, but that's just ridiculous.

Why not just buy the X-Fi extreme music for $60 shipped over on the FS/FT forums?

I think this is the second time I've recommended someone buy this guy's X-Fi, I should PM him for a commission or something

 

[jackschmittusa]

I bought the card for $85 after a $50 rebate.

I use it with Logitech X-230 speakers. Games sound better. Music sounds good too (although I admit that my hearing is pretty well shot).

You can get the card now and get better speakers later if you want.

I am a tightwad anyway, and always look for deals. Even if I want several parts for an upgrade, I often buy them one at a time when I find a deal on each one.

 

[Nameless1990]

The MIR is nice but very extreme too, the highest rebate I've sent out for is $40. Most of the comments I've received have seem to be mixed, but it probably won't matter since the card never seems to be in stock anyway.

I am looking to get new speakers, just not right away, I currently have my X-230's hooked up to my tv, and it sounds way better than before.

I totally understand the tightwad deal, I'm building this rig with my teenage 30 hour a week job.

 

[0roo0roo]

then don't spend 180+tax, keep it in the wallet.
tv speakers tend to be garbage which is why even a cheap set of computer speakers sounds better than that, but thats an incredibly low standard. your speakers are limit, not the source at this point, save your money, when you can afford nicer speakers, there will be better sound cards out. you need to spend atleast 300 on speakers or its basically a waste of time to get that kind of soundcard, and for normal music/films etc that sound card sounds no different from a 50 dollar sound card.

 

[Nameless1990]

Something more like an Extreme Music then?