Thinking about buying a X-Fi

Loud_Silence · 07-04-09, 12:00 PM

I have a integrated Realtek ALC883 sound card and Creative 2.1 speakers. They have an excellent sound quality and fidelity. But the sound card only supports EAX 2.0 and it doesn't do well.
I'm thinking about buying a X-Fi sound card, but 80 bucks for the most basic model seems a bit expensive to me, and i'm not really sure of the advantages.
Also i'm hearing about issues with clicking noises and other stuff with those cards. Mine never had any problems.
But the quality will really be better? Is EAX 5.0 worth it?

Dowly · 07-04-09, 12:50 PM

Cant say anything about 5.0, but I went from Realtek 5.1 to X-fi Gamer and the sound is MUCH better.

Loud_Silence · 07-04-09, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

Cant say anything about 5.0, but I went from Realtek 5.1 to X-fi Gamer and the sound is MUCH better.

How better? Volume, quality, fidelity, surround, WHAT?

Arclight · 07-04-09, 02:58 PM

All of it. More powerfull and crisp. Hardware processing is always better than software, no question about it.

I have X-fi Titanium (2nd gen). Had no problems in the past, but suffering from tearing after moving to Win7 RC 64-bit (no issues on RC or beta 32-bit). It could also be from moving to new CPU and 4GB RAM, but the OS seems most likely cause. 90% certain it's IRQ sharing issue.

Most games don't support EAX, so don't buy for that, get it for quality of sound.

Reece · 07-04-09, 10:05 PM

I had problems running SH3 (sound breaking up) with the onboard sound (AC97 HD) so I purchased a PCIE X-Fi Xtreme audio card, although SH3 sound is ok now the sound is nothing special, also haven't been able to get the front panel audio plug to function properly and no separate mic/aux plugs, you can only have one or the other.

Support was non existant, the card came without XP drivers & had none at their website either, after a lot of complaints from people they finally decided to produce XP drivers!!

Wonder if I could have both sound devices enabled, any thoughts?

Arclight · 07-05-09, 11:36 AM

Sure can.

Using X-fi for speakers and onboard for headset.

Support is always a problem with Creative. Even when they do offer it, it seems amateurish at best. My build in chip offers some options the 150,- + creative card doesn't.

Think you need that I/O station for proper input/output options on these cards.

SUBMAN1 · 07-05-09, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arclight

All of it. More powerfull and crisp. Hardware processing is always better than software, no question about it.

I have X-fi Titanium (2nd gen). Had no problems in the past, but suffering from tearing after moving to Win7 RC 64-bit (no issues on RC or beta 32-bit). It could also be from moving to new CPU and 4GB RAM, but the OS seems most likely cause. 90% certain it's IRQ sharing issue.

Most games don't support EAX, so don't buy for that, get it for quality of sound.

All the Realtek ALC models do hardware processing. THey are so accurate, Creative Labs now certifies the ALC 88X series to run Creative Labs software.

http://www.gigabyte.us/FileList/WebP...090106_xfi.htm

-S

Loud_Silence · 07-05-09, 08:37 PM

There is a difference between an on-board or integrated component and an expansion card, and software processing and hardware processing.
Software processing is when the CPU emulates a sound device and processes the sounds.
Hardware processin is when a device independent from the CPU does the job, it doesnt matter if that hardware is attached on the motherboard, or its on an expansion card.
In my motherboard, the sound chip is controlled by the south bridge but is physically separated from it. On the other hand, the onboard graphics chip is integrated on the north bridge.
My sound card has VERY GOOD QUALITY. Right now i use a stereo 2.1 (but the jacks can be re-tasked to use a three-jack 5.1), but in DooM 3 every gunshot makes my armchair rumble!

07-04-09, 12:00 PM	#1
Loud_Silence Planesman Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 193 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thinking about buying a X-Fi I have a integrated Realtek ALC883 sound card and Creative 2.1 speakers. They have an excellent sound quality and fidelity. But the sound card only supports EAX 2.0 and it doesn't do well. I'm thinking about buying a X-Fi sound card, but 80 bucks for the most basic model seems a bit expensive to me, and i'm not really sure of the advantages. Also i'm hearing about issues with clicking noises and other stuff with those cards. Mine never had any problems. But the quality will really be better? Is EAX 5.0 worth it?

07-04-09, 02:58 PM	#4
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	All of it. More powerfull and crisp. Hardware processing is always better than software, no question about it. I have X-fi Titanium (2nd gen). Had no problems in the past, but suffering from tearing after moving to Win7 RC 64-bit (no issues on RC or beta 32-bit). It could also be from moving to new CPU and 4GB RAM, but the OS seems most likely cause. 90% certain it's IRQ sharing issue. Most games don't support EAX, so don't buy for that, get it for quality of sound. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

07-04-09, 10:05 PM	#5
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 32,814 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	I had problems running SH3 (sound breaking up) with the onboard sound (AC97 HD) so I purchased a PCIE X-Fi Xtreme audio card, although SH3 sound is ok now the sound is nothing special, also haven't been able to get the front panel audio plug to function properly and no separate mic/aux plugs, you can only have one or the other. Support was non existant, the card came without XP drivers & had none at their website either, after a lot of complaints from people they finally decided to produce XP drivers!! Wonder if I could have both sound devices enabled, any thoughts? __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

07-05-09, 11:36 AM	#6
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Sure can. Using X-fi for speakers and onboard for headset. Support is always a problem with Creative. Even when they do offer it, it seems amateurish at best. My build in chip offers some options the 150,- + creative card doesn't. Think you need that I/O station for proper input/output options on these cards. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

07-04-09, 12:50 PM	#2
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,005 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Cant say anything about 5.0, but I went from Realtek 5.1 to X-fi Gamer and the sound is MUCH better.

07-05-09, 08:37 PM	#8
Loud_Silence Planesman Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 193 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	There is a difference between an on-board or integrated component and an expansion card, and software processing and hardware processing. Software processing is when the CPU emulates a sound device and processes the sounds. Hardware processin is when a device independent from the CPU does the job, it doesnt matter if that hardware is attached on the motherboard, or its on an expansion card. In my motherboard, the sound chip is controlled by the south bridge but is physically separated from it. On the other hand, the onboard graphics chip is integrated on the north bridge. My sound card has VERY GOOD QUALITY. Right now i use a stereo 2.1 (but the jacks can be re-tasked to use a three-jack 5.1), but in DooM 3 every gunshot makes my armchair rumble!