X-Fi Questions

[ShawnSum]

Normally i have always ran a internal sound card. Im pretty much a n00b when it comes to the external consoles you get with the X-Fi Platinum setup. Im wondering how all that works....could anyone give me any info on it?

 

[LittleNemoNES]

It's pretty much just a front interface for the back. Nothing fancy at all. In fact I recommend a X-Fi music -- it's the same thing except without the bay. This coming from a guy with an X-FI fatality.

it looks cool but is definitely not worth plunking down a bunch of money for.

$81 vs $180. Definitely not worth it. hell I paid 270 for my Fatality board...should have known better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188

 

[bunnyfubbles]

The front plate is not worthless. And you?re comparing a sale price to retail price. I got my X-Fi Platinum for $130...

The front plate gives you controls and inputs/outputs you otherwise would not have. If you have use for them it is definitely not worthless. If all you were doing is hooking up a decent set of PC speakers or headphones then I?d agree that the Xtreme Music is all you?d need.

To answer the original question; if you look at the X-Fi card (Xtreme Music and Platinum are the same card) you?ll see a bunch of pins on the front of the card. These pins hook up to a ribbon cable (much like an IDE or floppy cable) which you run from your card in the case up to a 5.25? bay where you put the front panel (there are corresponding pins on this part). It?s pretty simple to install and setup, not much harder than installing just the card.


You can actually upgrade an Xtreme Music to a Platinum with an X-Fi I/O Drive Upgrade Kit ? although it?ll run you $70+, so while it would be cheaper to get the Xtreme Music on sale and then get the kit to upgrade it vs. getting the straight up Platinum, if you can grab a Platinum one sale (and/or after rebate), then its generally cheaper/less hassle that way.


Now depending on what you intended to use the card for, you might be better off going with an Audigy 2 and save even more money. If you?re primary concern is gaming, the Audigy 2 can do the job very well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102163

~$80 after shipping and rebate for the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum (all my rebates from Creative have been pretty fast). $100 rebate is great but also kinda weird considering the rebate is over half the price of the product...I guess Creative would rather put up with rebates than mark down MSRP. Of course there?s the plain jane Audigy 2 ZS for $70, but at that point I?d say get the X-Fi XM for only $12 more

 

[acegazda]

The only xfi with an external module is the xfi elite pro. All others mount in one of the 5.25" bays. Id take the sfi xtremusic for a little less, buy.com has the audigy 2 platinum for $70 shipped AR.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
The front plate is not worthless. And you?re comparing a sale price to retail price. I got my X-Fi Platinum for $130...

The front plate gives you controls and inputs/outputs you otherwise would not have. If you have use for them it is definitely not worthless. If all you were doing is hooking up a decent set of PC speakers or headphones then I?d agree that the Xtreme Music is all you?d need.

To answer the original question; if you look at the X-Fi card (Xtreme Music and Platinum are the same card) you?ll see a bunch of pins on the front of the card. These pins hook up to a ribbon cable (much like an IDE or floppy cable) which you run from your card in the case up to a 5.25? bay where you put the front panel (there are corresponding pins on this part). It?s pretty simple to install and setup, not much harder than installing just the card.


You can actually upgrade an Xtreme Music to a Platinum with an X-Fi I/O Drive Upgrade Kit ? although it?ll run you $70+, so while it would be cheaper to get the Xtreme Music on sale and then get the kit to upgrade it vs. getting the straight up Platinum, if you can grab a Platinum one sale (and/or after rebate), then its generally cheaper/less hassle that way.


Now depending on what you intended to use the card for, you might be better off going with an Audigy 2 and save even more money. If you?re primary concern is gaming, the Audigy 2 can do the job very well.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102163

~$80 after shipping and rebate for the Audigy 2 ZS Platinum (all my rebates from Creative have been pretty fast). $100 rebate is great but also kinda weird considering the rebate is over half the price of the product...I guess Creative would rather put up with rebates than mark down MSRP. Of course there?s the plain jane Audigy 2 ZS for $70, but at that point I?d say get the X-Fi XM for only $12 more

Well @ that price is not as BAD as a deal as before but IMO its STILL a useless gimmick.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: gersson
Well @ that price is not as BAD as a deal as before but IMO its STILL a useless gimmick.

Well its obvious you don't use it, whereas I do and find it very useful. But if you've got no need for optical/midi in/out or don't care for the headphone and mic jacks with level controls...

I'll admit the remote is dissapointing. While an improvement over past models, IR tends to suck for computers because you've got to point the remote at the front panel which can be a pain in the arse unless its an HTPC, otherwise it can be akward aiming your remote under your desk.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

I do use it but its not worth what i paid for it IMO