Looking for gaming soundcard...

S

Superspacemunky

New Member
Alright, I've done the search on here and looked through tons of posts saying that the X-Fi XtremeGamer and X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty are great but all the write ups I find for the most part say that they hate the driver support from creative. Either it crashes their system or the sound is sub par due to crackles and such. I'm looking for a good to great sound card for my games (WoW, crysis, half life... etc.) and just wanted some opinions. I'm running Windows Vista as my OS btw. :D
 
Get ready for OpenAL not EAX with Vista. You will still have the audio effects seen with a Creative model however. The ExtremeGamer is the preferred model over theXtreme Audio card for a new build here. But thath was bought over the counter not online when seen with a discount.

Unfortunately the new board had to be returned prior to any real gaming session to give you an evalution on that model. That would have included HL2, EP1, Prey, Fear, and in October HL2's Episode Two due out. Initially the problem with Creative on drivers was seen with the Audigy line not the newer X-FI models out. But they released some for the old Audigy 4 Pro on the old build here.
 
From what I can tell its either creative drivers or nothing. Even if you go with a different brand name i.e. AuzenTech x-fi still uses the creative drivers. I'm just leary of buying a $170 sound card that won't perform due to lack of support. I still want to be able to play music and movies in surround sound so it won't be game specific although gaming takes up the majority of the three hands down.
 
Once Creative pulls their thumbs out of their asses and makes a semi decent driver for vista, the xtremegamer fatality card will be one of the best on the market.
 
Creative always had a good rep for multmedia which is the main concern there. All of their models have a good audio console with options for an equalizer, special effects, bass and tremble as well as input levels for external sources. The thing most noted was the pull on power when gaming heavily with the SB line of cards. Otherwise even the new drivers for the Audigy line worked ok on Vista for both applications.
 
Thanks for the input fellas. I went ahead and ordered the XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional from newegg so we'll see how it goes :D Now I need to order myself a nice set of surround sound.....
 
Logitech make some excellent lower cost speaker sets to consider. I presently have an older 5.1 surround sound set I grabbed at a pc show that have been great so far for both gaming and multimedia. The newer version seeing front pair, rear pair, woofer, and center mix looks a little different but hears good word on them seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121126

These are more vertically orientated while the set here has speakers that are more rounded in appearance. The center speaker includes a headphone jack seen on the set here. On the set at the link the volume controls and audio jack for a head set are seen on one of the right speakers. What newegg has instock for Logitech including higher watage sets for the obviously higher prices can be seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000370060+50001080&name=Logitech+Inc.
 
That's a great looking setup with a little extra kick with the higher wattage seen there over the 70rms on the set used here. You'll like those for paying the price. The set here was simply grabbed quick for $60 at the show since the speakers seen at local retail stores didn't quite make the list. The hand held remote is corded there however instead of cordless like seen with Creative and other sound cards.
 
The remote isn't an issue really since I use the pc mainly for gaming. If I'm listening to music it's usually while cleaning the house and I just select a playlist and jam :D Thanks for the help PC Eye!!
 
Hope it works out well for you there. I create a few playlists depending on artist of group when running WMP here. Without the extra wattage seen on those I can't wander off too far however. :P
 
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