New Sound Card

[Windu]

I am looking for a new sound card. One that will do well with a headset and mic setup. I am not really sure what is good because I do not know a lot about them. Main use is for gaming. I have a 2.1 speaker setup and a senheisser head set. Right now I have an augigy 2 value card and I can not get my headset to work direct to the sound card. I guess I am looking for something better.
Thanks.

[Tin]

Since the main use is for gaming, a Creative X-Fi would be the best choice. How much are you willing to spend? If you do get an X-Fi, stay away from the Xtreme Audio, as it isnt a true X-Fi. The Xtreme Audio uses CPU cycles and software to produce audio effect, much like an Audigy SE/Audigy 2 Value. The true X-Fi's use the on-chip DSP to render sound.

[TwoRails]

Agreed with Tin (Hey Tin, how ya been?) -- the X-Fi is designed with headset gaming in mind. Every (the few) review I've read on it acclaim how great it is with headsets. But, naturally, the headset should be of at least decent quality.

[Windu]

I have a Sennheiser P165 headset. Which X-Fi? There is a X-Fi XtremeGamer and a X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional Series. Worth the difference in price?
Thanks.

[Tin]

Id go with either the Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty or the Xtreme Music. The Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty is nothing more than an Xtreme Music with the 64MB of XRAM. Other than that, theyre one in the same. The Xtreme Music has only 16Mb of RAM, but it doesnt make any difference as far as the sound of games. Whether the extra 48MB of memory is worth the $53 is up to you.

Xtreme Music (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188) $92.99

Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102005) $145.99