About soundcards

[TakalQc]

I'm really thinking about adding a soundcard in my PC to replace my crappy integrated one.

I have three main reasons to do so:

1- The sound of this integrated "card" isn't horrible, but close. The quality isn't so good, and while playing games, especially shooters, it's hard (nearly impossible) to locate where the sounds come from.
2- I will soon start to record my own music from my guitar amplifier, do I'd like to have a good sound record. I also listen to a lot of music, so a better music quality woudn't hurt
3-My integrated sound' inteface is impossible to work with. It's really confuse, hard to figure out how to change settings (I only figured out how to change 3 things so far) and the most recent drivers are from... 2004? -_-

I also plan to change my actual headset (a cheap Logitech with small speakers) to a better one, mainly because the microphone on my actual one is help in place with duct tape and sometimes start to act weird and also because, again, for a better sound, better atmosphere (with speakers that cover the ears).

Now, the thing is, what card should I put in this old machine?

I thought about this one: http://us.store.creative.com/Sound-Blas ... LP0R3E.htm
My friend, the fake lelorien (but I think the real lelorien has this one though), has this one and the sound is waaaaaay better than mine.

What do you think?

[Blín D'ñero]

No, not that one, that is the budget model for audio playback and games, so its only good for your point 1.
You want to record your own guitar sounds. So what you need is the one built for recording and editing.
E-MU 1820 Digital Audio System. But those are not suited for gaming at all, just professional music creating and editing.
If you want full entertainment, this top model X-Fi is a better alternative:
pci-express version Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-FI Titanium FATAL1TY PCI-E 1X 24BIT Sound Card 7.1 Optical IN/OUT here some product details, or the one with a frontbay:
Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-FI Titanium FATAL1TY Champion PCI-E 1X 24BIT Sound Card 7.1 Optical
Cheaper alternative would be to look for an older model Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, i have one in an older PC, it has the hard- and software for recording on a enthusiast hobbyist level, plus is for gaming (however, it only supports upto EAX 4.0), an allround entertainment card (here's the pro version review). Too bad they don't make it anymore. Try to find one of those, or
go for an X-Fi which in the end for sound purists is the much better card than Audigy.

[TakalQc]

The X-FI cards seem a great deal, but maybe a little too "pricy" for me for now.
But the main problem about those is that they need a PCI-E slot, slot that I don't have... -_- I actually have one, but it's occupied by this: http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku= ... e=SAPPHIRE

So I only have a PCI slot, and this is what limitates me, besides budget. That's why I though about the Audigy.
The Audigy could only be used as a "temporary" sound card, until I can put a new and better one (X-FI) in a brand new system. It is also a very cheap card that, in my opinion, does a very good job for it's price. Would it be worth it?
The Audigy 2 ZS Platinum ones seem great, but I found none on NCIX, and I wouldn't want to "waste" money on this if I plan to replace it in a year for someting slightly better.

What do you think?

[Blín D'ñero]

What i think: as i said, it doesn't have recording option. It is a budget card for gaming and entertainment listening.
Don't waste your money on a temporary card.
Here, this is the PCI card that has the same options of the previous Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, concept that went into the new generation (X-Fi): the X-Fi Platinum (which is also not available anymore), a concept that Creative sold to Auzentech, who delivered this outstanding card: AuzenTech X-FI Prelude 7.1 Sound Card PCI 32BIT EAX 5.0 <- this is the one with the entertainment AND music creation hardware and software options combined.
To fully enjoy its quality of course you need a good speakerset, preferrably THX certified (studio quality), the Logitech Z-2300 is one.

Of course, this does not come cheap, but any other option either does not deliver 2 of the 3 points on your wishlist, or will majorly disappoint (cheap non-THX speakerset). The moment you have these devices installed and running you are going to laugh yourself in the face that you have ever hesitated: the world of true sound suddenly has opened the way it should on your PC and you'll wonder how you could ever have lived without and you can record and create edit your own music... there's some software included but you'll be better off with more advanced audio editing software, to fully put the card to work, things that were impossible on integrated audio or any budget soundplayback card.

[TakalQc]

I kind of see what you mean now ^^

So the Audigy would be a complete waste, just adding 30$ to the better card's price >.<
I think about it, and this http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku= ... =AuzenTech is the best choice so far

But the ultimate question: would it fit? Would it be compatible with my actual system?
I guess it would be, after my system gently welcomed my Radeon 4850 ^^ But, I just want to be sure

[Blín D'ñero]

Oh yes it would fit, it is a consumers soundcard. It is compatible with every desktop PC.

And that's a bargain, on newegg it is sold for 182.99 USD = 192.253 CAD !

This review on the card might interest you. Just google, there are many many more; the Prelude is a very popular card.

[TakalQc]

The review is very clear: this card rocks! http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku= ... =AuzenTech

One problem: it was on rebate (60$ rebate ), but the rebate ended two days before the mentionned date! I was about to order it, but when I checked it, the rebate was gone! Oo

At that moment, I started to hesitate again. I took a look at lelorien's PC topic where you helped him with his own soundcard

Oh that Audigy is very good. To onboard audio it is already difference like night and day. X-Fi is then an ever brighter day!

Referring to that card: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php? ... ive%20Labs

and it made me wonder: "Is the AuzenTech that much of a great investment compared with the Creative X-FI? (taking the price in consideration)"

I know the AuzenTech looks very great, but is that 70$ that much worth it?
If it does, I'll definitely go for the AuzenTech, but if there isn't that much difference between the two, I might consider getting the Creative.

What do you suggest/think?

[Blín D'ñero]

Ehh.. please read my forelast post again:
The little Audigy (a soundcard with Creative's Audigy chip on it) in the link = much better sound & performance than onboard (=integrated in the motherboard) audiochips. That one in the link is the budget model: only listening.
Audigy is old, and the bigger allround models are not sold anymore.

X-Fi is new. Much improved technology.
Creative's X-Fi audiochip is used on different models of Creative soundcards. The simplest model soundcard built with the X-Fi chip offers listening (music and games), just like the little Audigy above.
The best gaming model is the X-Fi Fatality Champion Pro with 64 MB X-Ram on it.

Because it is so good, Auzentech payed Creative for a license to use the X-Fi audiochip on their top-class consumer-soundcards.
The model "Prelude" is designed to offer the hardware for studio quality listening AND recording, creating, editing music on a enthusiast level (of course it's not a professional card like the E-MU 1820 but those are not suited for gaming at all, whereas the Prelude is allround), has also all the best components (including the X-Ram) of the top X-Fi model by Creative.

This link on ncix has no picture, nor specifications,
and this one is a gamer card
and this is the pro gamer soundcard (i have it) (see the details), and
this is the same one with an added frontpanel, see details
What you want is the Auzentech Prelude.
.

[TakalQc]

Oh, I wasn't talking about the Audigy anymore

So if I understand well, that 70$ more is the recording studio quality listening AND recording, creating, editing music on a enthusiast level that the gaming X-FI cards don't have.
And that's what I want

What you want is the Auzentech Prelude.

Thanks for all this help
I'll keep you informed about the card, tell you if everything's ok and request you some help if problems there are ^^

[Blín D'ñero]

I thought you were.

Exactly. Page of interest (Xbitlabs review).

OR this one: the Creative X-Fi Elite pro, has a few additional line inputs. It was much too expensive, but i just saw it is on sale now!

List Price: $309.99
Our Price: $179.99
You Save: $130.00 (42%)

So you have two serious options.