Computing.Net - Xtreme Gamer Sound Card

Subject: Xtreme Gamer Sound Card

Original Message

Name: Username
Date: July 18, 2007 at 18:14:52 Pacific
Subject: Xtreme Gamer Sound Card
OS: xp/vista
CPU/Ram: 2.2ghz/2gb
Model/Manufacturer: Compaq

Comment:

I was wondering if this sound card is any good? Right now I only have 2.1 speakers but will be getting some 5.1 speakers in a couple of weeks,besides I usually use my headphones for games.Also,would the game sounds sound better even with headphones?
P.S-Right now i only have onboard http://www.creative.com/products/pr...
Thanks,

Report Offensive Message For Removal

Response Number 1

Name: Sabertooth
Date: July 18, 2007 at 18:34:40 Pacific
Subject: Xtreme Gamer Sound Card

Reply: (edit)

If your motherboard only supports two-channel audio & you are looking at upgrading to a discrete 5.1 sound card then it all depends on your preference. The X-Fi series from Creative are decent, but is the card frankly worth your paying $100 for it .... that we can't say.
There are some equally decent 5.1 cards on Newegg that don't cost that much - have you checked into those? Also the speakers is a factor. If you pay $100 for the card & you get some crappy 5.1 set of speakers, then you've just wasted your money big time.

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 2

Name: Dark Sky
Date: July 18, 2007 at 19:41:46 Pacific
Subject: Xtreme Gamer Sound Card

Reply: (edit)

X-Fi is a great sound card. This card was currently the only supported card that enables EAX in Vista while running XP games under Creative own ALchemy software.
This is due to Vista discarded DirectSound3D API claimed by Microsoft to give room for more CPU processing room. Anyway this is a great card BUT!
you need a great 5.1/7.1 speaker system to enjoy it to the fullest. It will be a major letdown if you used a crappy 2.1 or 5.1 for the sound output.
I suggest you go for AltecLansing 5.1 speaker or Creative own 5.1/7.1 speaker system. But that will cost you another $150-$250 to spend. DO NOT go for other than WOOD SUBWOOFER, plastic made subwoofer is a piece of junk eventhough its cheap.
Dip Electronic Eng
Dip Computing & IT
BSc Software Eng
Core2 Duo 6420
Gigabyte 965P-S3
2x1GB DDR667
7900GS 256DDR3 OC
2xSeagate 160GB SATA300
SB Audigy4
19" 5ms 4:3 Dell LCD

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 3

Name: Sabertooth
Date: July 18, 2007 at 20:24:29 Pacific
Subject: Xtreme Gamer Sound Card

Reply: (edit)

"This card was currently the only supported card that enables EAX in Vista while running XP games under Creative own ALchemy software."
Virtually all the Audigy series supports the EAX effect .... you just have to pay Creative's $10.00 extortion money to have it enabled if you do not have an X-Fi card, except they undermined the power of the internet.
Edit: Interestingly, this was on their website.

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 4

Name: Dark Sky
Date: July 19, 2007 at 22:40:03 Pacific
Subject: Xtreme Gamer Sound Card

Reply: (edit)

"you just have to pay Creative's $10.00 extortion money to have it enabled if you do not have an X-Fi card,"
Hmmm...Maybe i missed this part. I haven't been to Creative website for quite a long time as they stopped producing Audigy drivers for XP.
Dip Electronic Eng
Dip Computing & IT
BSc Software Eng
Core2 Duo 6420
Gigabyte 965P-S3
2x1GB DDR667
7900GS 256DDR3 OC
2xSeagate 160GB SATA300
SB Audigy4
19" 5ms 4:3 Dell LCD

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Response Number 5

Name: Dark Sky
Date: July 20, 2007 at 02:48:43 Pacific
Subject: Xtreme Gamer Sound Card

Reply: (edit)

"you just have to pay Creative's $10.00 extortion money to have it enabled if you do not have an X-Fi card,"
Hmmm...Maybe i missed this part. I haven't been to Creative website for quite a long time as they stopped producing Audigy drivers for XP.
Dip Electronic Eng
Dip Computing & IT
BSc Software Eng
Core2 Duo 6420
Gigabyte 965P-S3
2x1GB DDR667
7900GS 256DDR3 OC
2xSeagate 160GB SATA300
SB Audigy4
19" 5ms 4:3 Dell LCD

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal