Which Sound Card? [Archive]

Hi Ho

10-28-2003, 01:14 AM

I need a sound card. Games using EAX do not sound right with my onboard C-Media sound. I want something cheap. Which of the following would give me the best sound quality over price? I have Logitech Z-640 speakers.

Sound Blaster Live Dolby Digital 5.1 ---- $29 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=29-102-165)

Sound Blaster Audigy ES PCI --- $43 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=29-102-166)

Sound Blaster Audigy LS PCI --- $57 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=29-102-160)

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCI --- $63 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=29-102-158)

Click on them to see more info.

Tech1

10-28-2003, 01:29 AM

Neither, i have had major problems with the soundblaster series.

I suggest Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, great card!

Hi Ho

10-28-2003, 01:30 AM

I have never had problems with Sound Blaster.

bigandy

10-28-2003, 01:33 AM

If you're set on one of the four you have listed, I recommend the Audigy 2. I have that card in my machine and it is great. As Tech1 mentioned, there are the Turtle Beach cards, which seem to have a good reputation around here.

Tech1

10-28-2003, 01:49 AM

Personally, when i installed the drivers from the creative website (Not the ones windows installs) on 3 different machines, all the same problems, not one problem since i installed the santa cruz.

Mr N8

10-28-2003, 09:07 AM

Any of those cards will work fine, to tell you the truth. The audigy series has a little nicer sound, though.

Hi Ho

10-28-2003, 03:10 PM

What's the difference between the Audigy 1 and 2?

TwoRails

10-28-2003, 09:59 PM

Better recording quality, for one, and I think the other major is DVD sound. That's all I can remember off the top of my very tired head right now. I've always run SB (Creative) cards and they are good cards. Some of the "extra" software is not to be desired, however.

I hadn't realized the Audigy 2 has come down in price, but if you don't plan on doing high-end recording or having your computer in the living room for the main DVD view station, then the Audigy (1) card is a very excellent choice.

HtH
TwoRails

Hi Ho

10-28-2003, 10:22 PM

Would the Sound Blaster Live be superior to the C-Media onboard sound I am using now? I know it fully supports EAX an I don't belive my onboard sound does but would the sound quality be any better?

i3OSS

10-31-2003, 01:43 AM

get as good of a card you can....i guess this would be the choice...
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCI --- $63

ComPman

11-01-2003, 11:42 PM

Originally posted by i3OSS
get as good of a card you can....i guess this would be the choice...
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 PCI --- $63

for sound card i would look on EBAY. the prices are ausome, i got this card,SOUND BLASTER 5.1 sb003 retails for about 69.99. Only 21 shiped

Hi Ho

11-02-2003, 12:17 AM

If your talking about the Sound Blaster Live 5.1 then your prices are off. Here it is on Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=29-102-165