CM690

I was thinking of buying a sound card but I have a few questions,

Is this a good sound card? Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1

Do you actually notice much of a difference compared with on board? How much different can it really be?

and my mate told me that apparently a sound card takes a small load off the cpu when going from on board to a sound card which will give me a few more fps? Is this true as I can't say I believed him because I can't see how it can? O.o

Thanks

allikat

With good speakers, you will notice better sound, but I doubt it'll save you much processor time, the motherboard usually has a discrete sound chip anyway, or it's integrated into the network controller, either way, you shouldn't gain much in the way of real fps from the swap.
But, if you have a good speaker system, it may be worth the swap anyway, cheap sound chips make cheap sound.

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gill

Haven't heard much good about that sound card, I would get the xtremegamer instead, or I also hear the ASUS Xonar sound cards are worth a look as well. The difference in sound will depend on how much you personally value sound quality IMO. If you are not fussed to begin with, then you probably won't notice a huge difference. Games is where the benefits come I suppose, allowing you to use EAX effects and such.

Lastly, yes. The sound card takes a bit of work away from the CPU because the card does all the processing of sound (obviously, lol). I wouldnt expect a HUGE FPS increase, but it all counts I guess.

Hope this helped, cheers.

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xandypx

But not this sound card.

The X-Fi extreme audio card is software enabled. It does not have a hardware enabled X-Fi chip, like the slightly higer end, Xtreme Music or Gamer do.

The Xtreme Audio card is not a "true" X-Fi sound card.

The X-Fi Xtreme Audio is a re-badged Audigy SE card, and will more than likely cause more load to your CPU than your onboard.

Somenamehere

Get the Asus Xonar

CM690

thanks for all the replies i'll take a look at the other sound cards you have suggested +rep

TerminatorXT

You should really consider a better card, if you play alot of games, and want to be blown away,
Consider some REAL X-Fi Cards, (not from creative though, drivers suck, and you have to pay for newer drivers, even then, the card still has its defects)

Consider buying the Auzentech X-Fi Forte, comes with EAX etc... great stuff
got one yesterday, and not regretting paying $140 for it (thats with tax)

or if you don't want to pay that much, consider the Asus Xonar DX for $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-006-_-Product

either way, if you want good sound, you're better off with one of said cards, or one of your choice with reviews that back them up

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CM690

You have to pay for new drivers? O.o Thats just... stupid xD

Thanks I'll try and find that on a UK site and see how much I can get one for +rep

TerminatorXT

I've heard you have to pay for the Creative Fatality card

but I could be wrong, feel free to correct me at any time OCN members

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We need another cold war. Technology advanced at an unbelievably fast rate. Without the cold war, we would be stuck in the 50s. Think about it we would be rocking to jukeboxes and eating at cafes