Sound Card for New System

[sonnyb72]

Looking for a sound card to completment the new rig I finished, I don't know why but the sound is always the last thing I buy...

Asus P4S8X Gold Mobo
Intel P4 2.53B Processor
Kingston HyperX KHX2700 512 MB (1 stick)
Gainward Ti4800SE 750 Xp Video Card (8x and 128 MB)
Plextor 504A DVD-RW Drive
Sony 3.5 1.44 MB Floppy (Still Need It!)
2 Segate Barracuda Serial HD 120 GB Each Running in RAID 0
(STS3120023AS)
Creative ModemBlaster (di56233)...Though I regret this Choice!

All housed in a Blue Cheiftec Dragon Case
running Windows XP Pro SP1 with a 19" Sony FlatScreen CRT

Anyways for the sound...I plan to use it to watch DVD's and play some games I'm considering
1. Guillemot Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1
2. Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
3. SoundBlaster Audigy

(all range in price between 50-70 $)
and planning to buy Logitech 560Z speakers....?

Any Thoughts or suggestions are appreciated...

Sonny

[Alaron]

Go with the Audigy. I have not used Hercules cards, but I have a Turtle Beach and an Audigy sounds much better. You can't go wrong with Logitech speakers. The Z560s paired with the Audigy will make for an excellent sound setup. HTH

Excellent system by the way! :D

[wilcopshot]

Go for the audigy. I have the Platinum live (audigy predecessor) and it rocks. 5.1 surround makes DVD's and gaming awsome if you can afford the speakers (i stole from my living room for a couple a days) It also has the external inputt outputt connections which makes more difference than you can possibly imagine.

[Surge1243]

I like the Gamesurround the best (bought one to replace my SB Live that went nuts). I've bought Creative cards before and always had driver issues with them.

[TwoRails]

Nice looking system!

The Audigy *2* is highly ranked, 'specially for music capture and DVD playing. I'm going to get one to replace my Audigy 1 (which then would go into a spare parts build :) )

[glc]

Before you buy a sound card, try the onboard sound. You *might* be satisfied, it's worth a try.

Yeah - ditch the modemblaster - get a USR 2977, it's only $40 or so.

[sonnyb72]

I was just looking around and saw this at CompUSA for $40.....its a Maya 7.1 Surround Sound

Here's the link....
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?tabtype=pi&product%5Fcode=302337&pfp=external#moreinfo

Any idea if its any good? or should I stick with Audigy or Turtle Beach

Thanks
Sonny

PS Price IS an Object......(wish it weren't)

[sleepypost]

Hercules makes a sweet 7.1 surround for 50 bucks. the review is on this site. ;)

[Lord Prism]

Nice Set up.

Vote for Audigy.

Good luck

[sonnyb72]

Thanks for all your suggestions, I went ahead and got the Hercules for 29.99 at CompUSA and am pairing it with Logitech z640 speakers.... I would have liked the Creative 6600 since its a 6.1 system but the speakers use proprietary plugs designed for the Audigy 2. I could have gotten them to work with a adapter, but its just was too messy for me...

Anyways thanks

Sonny

[morriswindgate]

Go to the link below and get the Abit AU-10 5.1 card. The price ($24.99) might lead you to believe that this is a junkie card, but to me it has better sound and pre-amp power than all of the ones you listed and it doesn't have any installation problems or crappie software like the Creatives. It comes with a remote, WinRip, and WinDVD. It installs like a charm.
I use them in all of my builds now and people really love them.

http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info1.php?cPath=156_160&products_id=707

[TwoRails]

Originally posted by sonnyb72
I would have liked the Creative 6600 since its a 6.1 system but the speakers use proprietary plugs designed for the Audigy 2. :confused: The Audigy 1 / 2 has standard jacks in the back for use with stand items as line in / out for stuff like cassette decks, mic in, speaker outs, and digital out. I've never used the 6600's but if they have proprietary jacks, where would they go?

TwoRails

[Alaron]

The 6600s use standard 3mm audio in lines to connect to the sound card. They do not have to be used with an Audigy 2. Check them out <a href="http://www.americas.creative.com/products/product.asp?product=487&category=516&maincategory=3&nav=spec">
Here</a>

The only speakers I know of that use proprietary connections is the new Klipsch GMX D-5.1 setups. They only use digital connections, no analog. www.klipsch.com

[sonnyb72]

Thanks....I got the info from the Hercules Site where a couple of people with the card posted that they had difficulty with the creative 6600's....

Take a Read...

http://forum.hercules.com/index.php3?pg=readmsg&msgid=16537&viewall=y&replynumber=5&forumname=Fortissimo+III&category=audio&probkind=Speakers

according to Hercules the Creative speakers use a 3.5mm 4-pole mimiplug...

Anyways, I'm probably still going to get the Logitech z640 (price is a big factor!)
But thnaks anyway..

Sonny