Sound Cards - which one? [Archive]

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wesley313

07-06-2001, 06:08 PM

I'm thinking of buying a new soundcard, probably a soundblaster series but I don't understand a few things. What is the difference between the SB Live! MP3+ 5.1, the X-Gamer 5.1 and the DE 5.1? They all sell for the same price and have similar specs. Which one is better?

eagle1

07-06-2001, 07:56 PM

I think they just varies in the bundled software included.! The Platinum has the Live Drive included with a bunch of software. The X-gamer and MP3 cards doesn't include the Live Drive (I think) and both of them offer different software. Then there is the Sound Blaster Live Value which is just the card and the drivers.!

But it's the SAME CARD with different soft.!

DemonKnight

07-06-2001, 10:34 PM

You might want to look into the Hercules Game Theater XP. It looks like a fairly kickass card, and has had many good reviews.

spidey_joe80@hotmail.com

07-07-2001, 04:55 AM

The sound blaster live series all have the same quality. Just different bundles like eagle said. The 5.1 got lots of mp3 and recording software. The xgamer has 4 games a lots of software. The platinum has the games in the gamer the software in the mp3 and the live drive.
The Game threater is geared a little more towards pro's plus it really doesnt have all software the sound blaster series has.

NDD

07-07-2001, 07:26 AM

The soft bundle isn't so important. Performance in games and compatibility with common HQ APIs, such as EAX 2.0 is to look for. In fact, I was thinking about Game Theatre XP or Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, but eventually decided that none of them is sugnifficantly better then SB Live! 5.1, and if I really want something new, then I'd better hold 'till new Audigy cards line from Creative, featuring new powerful DSP.
If you want something now, SB Live! Platinum 5.1 is still unbeatable King of sound http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Best Regards ...

eagle1

07-07-2001, 09:50 AM

The Game Theather sounds fairly cool and also the new Nightindale Pro (built with a cmedia chip!!) is getting rave reviews too.!

DUD

07-07-2001, 11:58 AM

If you are using a mobo with a Via chipset, you may want to consider the Santa Cruz.

RobRich

07-07-2001, 02:01 PM

Running a Philips Rythmic Edge here. It is the 2-channel version of the Acoustic Edge. Its Thunderbird 128 DSP was developed by QLab's, and includes full hardware support for QSound 2D-to-3D stereo expansion, plus offers superb 3D audio acceleration and quality. Also supports the QSound Enviroment Mapping feature for more detailed and customizable 3D effects. Excellent card, especially as I paid a nominal $35 for my OEM card. I actually pulled my Live in my primary box for this card, plus will probably order the Acoustic Edge for my a/v box in the near future.

Another card to check out is VideoLogic's Sonic Fury. This card features a fully adpatable DSP with some serious underlying technology. The Fury can even offload the majority of audio playback from the CPU, such as for MP3s.

Robert Richmond

Brangwen

07-07-2001, 02:22 PM

I use a SB Live Value and the software I received with it is great. Oh, and I have a VIA chipset on my Iwill board.

Brangwen http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

radbasa

07-08-2001, 12:34 AM

The Philips Acoustic Edge looks promising. I can't find the review URL for it but here's Thresh's FS preview http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/acousticedge/default.asp