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X-Fi Pricing

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Originally posted by: ironique
Came across this article in IGN.

X-Fi XtremeMusic - $129
X-Fi Platinum - $199
X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS - $279
X-Fi Elite Pro - $399!!!!

Prices have been known for quite a while now.
 
Honestly, this sound card isn't going to make a bit of difference on my logitech X-530s (which suffice for my computer/gaming needs).

I just want the prices on the Audigy 2s to come down some.
 
$36.48

retail Audigy2 ZS

How much of a cheapskate do you have to be to be waiting for it to drop lower? Are you expecting them to pay you to take the card?
 
Originally posted by: Pariah
$36.48

retail Audigy2 ZS

How much of a cheapskate do you have to be to be waiting for it to drop lower? Are you expecting them to pay you to take the card?

that is with a rebate though ..no?

If the price was that without rebate then I would bite but I am not a fan of waiting months on end to possibly get a check if they feel like it.
 
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Hacp
I will repeat again nothing i mean nothing like integrated or audigyz cant compare to the new sound care trust me i was there

I said that I'll stick with my onboard sound... You then said that the onboard sound will take up CPU usage, and that a true gamer won't let those frames go to waste... I then responded that My onboard sound takes MINIMal CPU usage...


to be fair the new x-fi has nice near features you can't get on onboard audio. the headphone surround fx look interesting, and so does the sound quality enhancement for audio from cds and such.

I still say it looks like a bunch of marketing BS and hype.

I am interested ni 5.1 for normal headphines, but it's not crucial. there are surround headphines with 4 or 6 drivers that do that already.

the crystillazier is for compressed files not uncompressed like cds, inrease fro cd soundquality wont be too bug and it's iffy for compressed audio too(mp3s. oggs,wma) since it is guessing at waht is missing and has the capibility ot really destroy the sound quality.

as for fps, onboard uses about 5% cpu. That fps hit could easily be made up by not using $279 on a xfi fatal1ty and upgtrading from a crappy 6600gt to a freaking 7800gt(around 2x faster than a 6600gt in sli). FPs is not a valid argument.
 
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Hacp
I will repeat again nothing i mean nothing like integrated or audigyz cant compare to the new sound care trust me i was there

I said that I'll stick with my onboard sound... You then said that the onboard sound will take up CPU usage, and that a true gamer won't let those frames go to waste... I then responded that My onboard sound takes MINIMal CPU usage...

to be fair the new x-fi has nice near features you can't get on onboard audio. the headphone surround fx look interesting, and so does the sound quality enhancement for audio from cds and such.

I still say it looks like a bunch of marketing BS and hype.

I am interested ni 5.1 for normal headphines, but it's not crucial. there are surround headphines with 4 or 6 drivers that do that already.

the crystillazier is for compressed files not uncompressed like cds, inrease fro cd soundquality wont be too bug and it's iffy for compressed audio too(mp3s. oggs,wma) since it is guessing at waht is missing and has the capibility ot really destroy the sound quality.

as for fps, onboard uses about 5% cpu. That fps hit could easily be made up by not using $279 on a xfi fatal1ty and upgtrading from a crappy 6600gt to a freaking 7800gt(around 2x faster than a 6600gt in sli). FPs is not a valid argument.

Ill stick to my Soundstorm for the time being. I think Id buy that Mystique card over the X-Fi based on what Ive heard so far. Nothing makes me think 'wow this card is special' so I doubt its worth splashing that kind of money around.
 
Originally posted by: Elcs
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Hacp
I will repeat again nothing i mean nothing like integrated or audigyz cant compare to the new sound care trust me i was there

I said that I'll stick with my onboard sound... You then said that the onboard sound will take up CPU usage, and that a true gamer won't let those frames go to waste... I then responded that My onboard sound takes MINIMal CPU usage...

to be fair the new x-fi has nice near features you can't get on onboard audio. the headphone surround fx look interesting, and so does the sound quality enhancement for audio from cds and such.

I still say it looks like a bunch of marketing BS and hype.

I am interested ni 5.1 for normal headphines, but it's not crucial. there are surround headphines with 4 or 6 drivers that do that already.

the crystillazier is for compressed files not uncompressed like cds, inrease fro cd soundquality wont be too bug and it's iffy for compressed audio too(mp3s. oggs,wma) since it is guessing at waht is missing and has the capibility ot really destroy the sound quality.

as for fps, onboard uses about 5% cpu. That fps hit could easily be made up by not using $279 on a xfi fatal1ty and upgtrading from a crappy 6600gt to a freaking 7800gt(around 2x faster than a 6600gt in sli). FPs is not a valid argument.

Ill stick to my Soundstorm for the time being. I think Id buy that Mystique card over the X-Fi based on what Ive heard so far. Nothing makes me think 'wow this card is special' so I doubt its worth splashing that kind of money around.

exactly. it's all a marketing blitz.
 
Before people start yapping this or that about the performance costs of onboard sound, how about one of you post actual benchmarks first?
 
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Hacp
I will repeat again nothing i mean nothing like integrated or audigyz cant compare to the new sound care trust me i was there

I said that I'll stick with my onboard sound... You then said that the onboard sound will take up CPU usage, and that a true gamer won't let those frames go to waste... I then responded that My onboard sound takes MINIMal CPU usage...


to be fair the new x-fi has nice near features you can't get on onboard audio. the headphone surround fx look interesting, and so does the sound quality enhancement for audio from cds and such.

I still say it looks like a bunch of marketing BS and hype.

I am interested ni 5.1 for normal headphines, but it's not crucial. there are surround headphines with 4 or 6 drivers that do that already.

the crystillazier is for compressed files not uncompressed like cds, inrease fro cd soundquality wont be too bug and it's iffy for compressed audio too(mp3s. oggs,wma) since it is guessing at waht is missing and has the capibility ot really destroy the sound quality.

as for fps, onboard uses about 5% cpu. That fps hit could easily be made up by not using $279 on a xfi fatal1ty and upgtrading from a crappy 6600gt to a freaking 7800gt(around 2x faster than a 6600gt in sli). FPs is not a valid argument.

Uh..there is no reason to be interested in 5.1 for regular headphones..IMO anyway. Yeah, and the headphones with 4-6 drivers tend to suck compared to decent quality traditional headphones.

And agreed, FPS is definitely not a valid argument.
 
as others have stated, when CPU speeds in the 2, 3 and 4 ghz range, and with 7800 and X850 series graphics, I honestly do not believe a few FPS is really going to make you lose any sleep over the difference between onboard and X-FI..

Now for others that like to pad their e-penis's.. by all means, support Creative Labs all you want.. there are others that will be just fine with their Nvidia , Realtek of whatever other onboard audio solution that is implemented..
 
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Hacp
I will repeat again nothing i mean nothing like integrated or audigyz cant compare to the new sound care trust me i was there

I said that I'll stick with my onboard sound... You then said that the onboard sound will take up CPU usage, and that a true gamer won't let those frames go to waste... I then responded that My onboard sound takes MINIMal CPU usage...


to be fair the new x-fi has nice near features you can't get on onboard audio. the headphone surround fx look interesting, and so does the sound quality enhancement for audio from cds and such.

I still say it looks like a bunch of marketing BS and hype.

I am interested ni 5.1 for normal headphines, but it's not crucial. there are surround headphines with 4 or 6 drivers that do that already.

the crystillazier is for compressed files not uncompressed like cds, inrease fro cd soundquality wont be too bug and it's iffy for compressed audio too(mp3s. oggs,wma) since it is guessing at waht is missing and has the capibility ot really destroy the sound quality.

as for fps, onboard uses about 5% cpu. That fps hit could easily be made up by not using $279 on a xfi fatal1ty and upgtrading from a crappy 6600gt to a freaking 7800gt(around 2x faster than a 6600gt in sli). FPs is not a valid argument.

Uh..there is no reason to be interested in 5.1 for regular headphones..IMO anyway. Yeah, and the headphones with 4-6 drivers tend to suck compared to decent quality traditional headphones.

And agreed, FPS is definitely not a valid argument.


no...its virtual trickery type 5.1 in headphones. and how well it tricks your ears is definetly something interesting. because cheap soundcards certainly can't pull it off...or pull it off well. its useful in games and movies.
 
Originally posted by: Mickey21
I was also at Quakecon 2005 and checked out the XiFi. Truthfully, no big whoop. Sure it is a nice improvement, but we are still talking about sound cards. I mean quit with the true gamer crap as well. A "true gamer" wouldnt use measely headphones if he didnt have to (ala LAN parties). Tell that to my DTS - THX Yamaha 7.1 Amp and Sony ES Loudspeakers. The XiFi is not the end all to every other sound card. Stop buying into corporate propaganda. A measely couple of FPS? That's what FX-57's and 7800GTX's are for. Will the sound card be better? For some. Will it be better than everything out so far? That is subjective to everyone's situation. Surround sound on headphones does not a awesome sound card make it. (yes I know it has other improvements, but give me a break...)

Damn right man, put some headphones up against the SVS PB-10 ISD and my 6.1 surround setup. hah!

 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Hacp
I will repeat again nothing i mean nothing like integrated or audigyz cant compare to the new sound care trust me i was there

I said that I'll stick with my onboard sound... You then said that the onboard sound will take up CPU usage, and that a true gamer won't let those frames go to waste... I then responded that My onboard sound takes MINIMal CPU usage...


to be fair the new x-fi has nice near features you can't get on onboard audio. the headphone surround fx look interesting, and so does the sound quality enhancement for audio from cds and such.

I still say it looks like a bunch of marketing BS and hype.

I am interested ni 5.1 for normal headphines, but it's not crucial. there are surround headphines with 4 or 6 drivers that do that already.

the crystillazier is for compressed files not uncompressed like cds, inrease fro cd soundquality wont be too bug and it's iffy for compressed audio too(mp3s. oggs,wma) since it is guessing at waht is missing and has the capibility ot really destroy the sound quality.

as for fps, onboard uses about 5% cpu. That fps hit could easily be made up by not using $279 on a xfi fatal1ty and upgtrading from a crappy 6600gt to a freaking 7800gt(around 2x faster than a 6600gt in sli). FPs is not a valid argument.

Uh..there is no reason to be interested in 5.1 for regular headphones..IMO anyway. Yeah, and the headphones with 4-6 drivers tend to suck compared to decent quality traditional headphones.

And agreed, FPS is definitely not a valid argument.


no...its virtual trickery type 5.1 in headphones. and how well it tricks your ears is definetly something interesting. because cheap soundcards certainly can't pull it off...or pull it off well. its useful in games and movies.

Right..I understand what it is, and I still think it is retarded. If I want to feel like I am in a home theater, I will watch a movie with a true 5.1 or better setup.
 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
no...its virtual trickery type 5.1 in headphones. and how well it tricks your ears is definetly something interesting. because cheap soundcards certainly can't pull it off...or pull it off well. its useful in games and movies.
Frankly, even the damn Audigy can't pull it off well. Aureal was the last company to have a good HRTF system for headphones, so I'm guessing CL is using Aureal's stuff here.

PS Excelsior, not all of us have the luxury of being able to afford a good 5.1 setup, or the space for it, or neighbors willing to deal with the noise. A good headphone implementation is a nice compromise given that
 
Jeez.... sound is sound... its not like its gonna make THAT much of a difference compared to a typical audigy 2. Whos gonna pay that for a sound card?! Just buy an audigy 2 and spend the rest on some huge speakers 😀 Loud is gooooood.
 
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: mwmorph
Originally posted by: Excelsior
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: Hacp
I will repeat again nothing i mean nothing like integrated or audigyz cant compare to the new sound care trust me i was there

I said that I'll stick with my onboard sound... You then said that the onboard sound will take up CPU usage, and that a true gamer won't let those frames go to waste... I then responded that My onboard sound takes MINIMal CPU usage...

to be fair the new x-fi has nice near features you can't get on onboard audio. the headphone surround fx look interesting, and so does the sound quality enhancement for audio from cds and such.

I still say it looks like a bunch of marketing BS and hype.

I am interested ni 5.1 for normal headphines, but it's not crucial. there are surround headphines with 4 or 6 drivers that do that already.

the crystillazier is for compressed files not uncompressed like cds, inrease fro cd soundquality wont be too bug and it's iffy for compressed audio too(mp3s. oggs,wma) since it is guessing at waht is missing and has the capibility ot really destroy the sound quality.

as for fps, onboard uses about 5% cpu. That fps hit could easily be made up by not using $279 on a xfi fatal1ty and upgtrading from a crappy 6600gt to a freaking 7800gt(around 2x faster than a 6600gt in sli). FPs is not a valid argument.

Uh..there is no reason to be interested in 5.1 for regular headphones..IMO anyway. Yeah, and the headphones with 4-6 drivers tend to suck compared to decent quality traditional headphones.

And agreed, FPS is definitely not a valid argument.

I have a set of Zalman 5.1 theater headphone and they rock the pants off any headphone I have owned before. They have incredible precision and sound...
 
I myself am very interested in X-fi. First off, i am going to have to go to headphones (headset actually), because of family etc., but also because i hate playing games and talking into a mic on the desk (uugh). People who have never heard the x-fi are bashing it here, when many previews are praisinig it to the skies. If you don't have the money, OK. Nobody said the Audigy2 was bad. But we are talking about x-fi here, hello. Also, when does x-fi come out? I am going to get the X-fi fatality version for my rig, and i am building a rig for my sister for christmas, and i am going to put the second x-fi in there (the one with front panel but not x-ram) because she likes music, etc.

Out.

Edit: Oh and darkknight69, would you recommend me getting a sennheiser stereo headset or a turtle beach surround headset? X-fi says it makes surround sound in headphones, so what should i do?
 
Originally posted by: chrisrod01
I will repeat again nothing i mean nothing like integrated or audigyz cant compare to the new sound care trust me i was there

Why hello there Chris of Creative Labs. 😕
 
Originally posted by: ViRGE
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
no...its virtual trickery type 5.1 in headphones. and how well it tricks your ears is definetly something interesting. because cheap soundcards certainly can't pull it off...or pull it off well. its useful in games and movies.
Frankly, even the damn Audigy can't pull it off well. Aureal was the last company to have a good HRTF system for headphones, so I'm guessing CL is using Aureal's stuff here.

PS Excelsior, not all of us have the luxury of being able to afford a good 5.1 setup, or the space for it, or neighbors willing to deal with the noise. A good headphone implementation is a nice compromise given that

My Aureal card was the best one ive ever had.....to bad they didn't make decent drivers for 2k and XP. 🙁
If they would EVER make use of that technology in a new creative card I may just get it.
 
Creative's pricing is going to fall like a rock during Xmas.. More hype, more bull. HDA Mystique all the way. $300 for a soundcard? Goodluck trying to justify that purchase.
 
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