What's a good mid/low-range sound card?

F

fortyways

banned
Basically I have no idea what to look for in speakers and sound cards. I've always used onboard sound and 2.1 Logitech speakers.

My new on-board audio on my Asus P5K-E is exceptionally bad, and it cracks and pops at high volumes.

I'm looking for something to basically offload the CPU and provide reasonable sound quality for MP3s. I usually use headphones anyway, so 5.1, 7.1 etc. not required. Recording etc. not required.

Just something to do the audio processing without involving my system's CPU or RAM. I'm looking for good brands here basically and things to avoid. Thanks.
 
I highly reccomend getting the SoundBlaster XtremeGamer. Don't be fooled by the titled. I've built 2 recording computers with this card in it. It has a a true X-Fi chipset, unlike the audio. It will take that CPU usuage and RAM space off your computer, and It will sound clear and crisp.
 
Thanks for the reply.. so it sounds like what I'm looking for is an X-Fi chipset, i.e. a card without X-Fi would still utilize the CPU and RAM for audio processing, correct?

If this is the case, how do I make sure what I'm buying has a "true" X-Fi chipset and not just dubious marketing?

I was looking at this: http://shop1.outpost.com/{5-MxgrDgF...QBEueua7A**.node3?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I'll be shopping locally at Fry's Electronics first and online at Newegg if I can't find what I want there.

edit: I also heard Vista can disagree with Creative's drivers. Is there any truth in this?
 
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The X-Fi Extreme gamer cards and above all have onboard processors so they do not take precious CPU power away. Some of the higher end cards have onboard RAM also however these can apparantly only be utalised in a small selected range of games... However you mentioed that you wanted a mid-ow range card, the X-FI audio (despite not having a true X-Fi chipset), will increase the overall sound quality of your PC... for a low price, otherwise I would also reccomend the Xtreme Gamer if you are willing to spend extra... but it will be worth it
 
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It's not really sound quality so much that I'm looking for. My onboard audio becomes distorted while gaming, and I suspect it's behind lag spikes I'm having that I haven't had before.

I got an Xtreme Gamer locally for 100 USD. I'm about to test it and see if the problem is alleviated.

Sound quality before a game is not noticeably different while using Logitech noise-canceling headphones.
 
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