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05-24-2004, 07:26 PM
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#1 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,214
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What is a good "quick fix" cheap sound card?
I am using onboard sound. I had never heard my center speaker actually work untill I installed hacked drivers for the onboard sound. However, those hacked drivers seem to be causing some problems with random restarts and blank blue screens. The problem is, now I am hooked on the much better sound I get with these drivers installed. I have decided that a new sound card would be the best way to go. I don't want to spend much. I know there is the Sound Blaster Live but are there any other ones out there that are better? I want good music quality as well as good surround sound in games. Would it be better to move up to an Audigy ES for $42? Although that may be a little too much for what I want. I plan to build a new PC in the not to distant future and that would make this one my secondary PC. What about THIS one? Don't suggest THIS card because it has the exact same chip that my onboard has (CMI8738-LX) and I don't want to deal with that anymore.
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05-24-2004, 08:59 PM
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#2 |
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Barefoot on the Moon!
Staff
Premium Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Northeastern USA
Posts: 13,384
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A SB Live! 5.1 card is about $28, and produces good sound, IMHO.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...102-165&depa=1
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05-24-2004, 09:00 PM
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#3 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,214
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How much better would an Audigy 2 ES be? It's only $42.
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05-24-2004, 09:08 PM
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#4 |
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Audio/Video Expert
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 1,625
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Audigy increases the playback sampling rate to 20bit, 96K. It still records at a max of 16bit, 48K. S/N ratio is a bit higher.
Either will be a huge leap over your on-board sound. Dave.
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Dave. Go where there is no path and leave a trail. |
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05-24-2004, 09:16 PM
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#5 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,214
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Thank you. I think I have narrowed it down to either the Live or Audigy. Do either of them have any driver problems? I am leaning toward the Audigy due to its higher specs and the fact that it is newer. Would I be able to tell the difference between the two cards using my Z-640's?
Last edited by Hi Ho; 05-24-2004 at 09:52 PM. |
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05-24-2004, 09:59 PM
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#6 |
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Member (13 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: nowhere.com
Posts: 4,819
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SB Live and Via have big time driver problems.
Go with the Audigy if you're using that Via mobo in your sig. |
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05-25-2004, 04:08 PM
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#7 |
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Certified Audio Nut
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 7,214
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Thanks for that bit of info Xayd. That rules out all but one, the Audigy. I will be ordering it soon, hopefully tonight. Oh why did I buy a motherboard with a VIA chipset???
 So many problems. 
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