Well I got back from fall break today and it was a pleasant surprise when I realized that my artic silver 5 was finally kicking in (29C idle!). Unfortunately when I went to kick back with some music I was jolted with an empty nothingness of sound. And then static. My sound card had kicked the bucket. I pretty much have checked everything, speakers were fine, updated drivers, switched pci ports, etc. Its dead. So now I'm running off the mobo audio, which is OK, but there is a noticeable difference from a Sound Audigy 2. But crappy sound is better than no sound. Anyway, since for a while I have had my eye on the X-Fi series, I was going to ask if anyone has one and how it runs. Just a general thumbs up or thumbs down. Or just some general likes or dislikes. Just looking for some input!

~ ManOfMandango

Quote: Originally Posted by ManOfMandango Just looking for some input!

I don't own an X-Fi but I have been reading up on current soundcards (affordable ones too ) a lot over the past few months, and depending on which X-Fi you had in mind, can offer an alternative.
If you were looking at the PCI card alone (without breakout box) and use digital output(s) over analog, then I would STRONGLY suggest this card over it due to several factors:

Creative's drivers suck
M-Audio card utilizes less of the CPU for sound processing
less pop/hiss/hum
X-Fi requires a DirectX 9.x capable vid card (may or mat not be a problem for you)

If you are using analog outputs then the X-Fi may be right for you and for around the same price.
Another alternative though if you use digital outs in this card for just a few bucks cheaper.

Awesome! I'll definately give it some thought. And as far as the vid card goes. I'm running a Geforce 6800. So shouldn't be a problem, should it?

A 6800? Absolutely not... If I'm not mistaken (which is possible), the lowest DX9 cards are in the GF4 family/low GF5 (5200's-ish). That 6800 should do you very nicely.

Awesome! Now I just have to get up some money. Whenever that will be. Haha.

Quote: Originally Posted by Custom PC Magazine The X-Fi chip is brilliant, and a massive step forward from the Audigy 2...whichever X-Fi model you buy, you'll be amazed by it.

Sounds (ha ha ha spot the pun) pretty good to me, and there are several models.

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 A 6800? Absolutely not... If I'm not mistaken (which is possible), the lowest DX9 cards are in the GF4 family/low GF5 (5200's-ish). That 6800 should do you very nicely.

not that it matters to the situation but i might as well offer some info...

the first fully dx9.0 capable card was the ATI radeon 9700 pro.
nvidia caught up a few months later with the fx5xxx series, but the GF4 line was not fully dx9 compatable

The 9200 I purchased came with dx 9.0 b. Dunno if that really means anything, but it works with it.

Quote: Originally Posted by WrathOfSocrus The 9200 I purchased came with dx 9.0 b. Dunno if that really means anything, but it works with it.

No the 9200 is DX8.1 , a program may need DX9 to works but not always need DX9 for the GC

here are the list of all DX9 cards

http://discuss.futuremark.com/forum/...Number=4426993

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 A 6800? Absolutely not... If I'm not mistaken (which is possible), the lowest DX9 cards are in the GF4 family/low GF5 (5200's-ish). That 6800 should do you very nicely.

Your sig is awesome. I just listened to that.

It's the also the text that's engraved and inked in the window of my rig... Thanks for the (+)

Quote: Originally Posted by GrandpaNoob72 A 6800? Absolutely not... If I'm not mistaken (which is possible), the lowest DX9 cards are in the GF4 family/low GF5 (5200's-ish). That 6800 should do you very nicely.

I ran DX9 on a Geforce 2 MX/MMX 400 64MB vid card, fps sucked but I could play my games...
I have looked at that M-Audio card, (to replace the Aureal Vortex's that I have now)... and it looks like it ROCKS.

I have a question have they made any sound cards that have usb on them because I have 5.1 speakers and USB headphones. I really like both but sometimes when Im doing my Dazzel to transfer tapes to cd it says Im low on USB frequentcy and it wont let me listen to music While Im doing it.

I have a XFI built my computer 3 weeks ago now got to installing the drivers to be amazed that creative don't support 64bit windows drivers but the older generation cards are I have'nt heard a XFI card yet but if its not impressive when I do its going back.

I advise you not to buy anything from creative their anything but helpfull your better off saveing the cash and buying something from a company which will give proper driver support and not release a card to early before the proper software is written the amount of problems people are haveing with the XFI cards is unbeleivable theirs a major nf4 chipset problem that they failed to aknowledge for weeks untill the mobo companys had a quiet word with them, also the claimed X Ram on the fatlaity edition is a fraud at the moment instead of increasing fps performance with supported games like 'battlefield 2' it drops fps creative's answer as always saying we are working on a fix it will be released shortly that basicly meens get a good pension plan and by the age of 80 you might see something released.

I could give you a long list of problems but at the end of the day it comes down to one explanation and thats creative could'nt organise a piss up in a brewery its market domination at its worse.

you want my advice I would go with the M Audio card anything but creative.

Honestly, what are you using it for? You said that "Mobo sound is ok" after your other card died. That tells me your not really into high-end audio. I may be wrong though, no disrespect intended. If I was you, I'd look for an Audigy 2 ZS or an Audigy 2 ZS Plat., because they have great deals on them now. It sounds like this card can more than handle your needs. I have an Audigy 2 ZS paired with a set of Logitech Z-5500's , and I'm not even thinking about upgrading my card. A couple of days ago, I saw a Audigy 2 ZS Plat. for like $60, so I know there are good deals out there. Sorry I don't have a link or anything though.