Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems.

**john19055** · 03-31-09, 02:57 PM

On the new X58 boards does the X-Fi cause any probems .Or is the on board sound card just as good. I have a Gigabyte EX58-UD5.I have heard the newer on board sound was just as good or cIose to it.

**nekrosoft13** · 03-31-09, 03:18 PM

i just went though this

while upgrading to i7, my x-fi died, and i was stuck with onboard for few days.
couldn't stand it, first grabbed the xonar (but it was defective).

So now i have x-fi prelude (auzentech), so now is all good again

**john19055** · 03-31-09, 03:25 PM

I was hopeing the onboard sound was pretty good with the new X58 chipsets.I may have to get me a PCIe sound card.I got a place with it will fit .

Tym · 03-31-09, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john19055

I was hopeing the onboard sound was pretty good with the new X58 chipsets.I may have to get me a PCIe sound card.I got a place with it will fit .

Well, most onboard chips look nice on paper, but IRL it's not that simple. You need to bear in mind that no matter how advanced the integrated audio chip may be in the digital domain (DD decoding, processing, etc.), the actual sound quality will be only as good as the digital-to-analog converters used, and the onboard ones generally range from crappy to very crappy. You have a nice set of speakers, so I think it makes sense to invest in a decent dedicated card.

I've had some issues with my X-Fi (mostly driver problems, e.g. they still haven't solved the resume-from-standby thing), but no real showstoppers, and it just sounds great. Plus, you don't have to worry about EAX/OpenAL compatibility, etc., everything just works. I have no experience with Auzentech cards, but they get great reviews, plus they are based on X-Fi, so - again - no compatibility issues. I'd stay away from Xonar...

$n][pErMan · 03-31-09, 05:13 PM

I don't think I have ever NOT used a sound card

Have had my X-Fi for years now and I still think it sounds great

**nekrosoft13** · 03-31-09, 05:29 PM

Prelude sounds better then normal x-fi.

I really can't comment on the Xonar sound quality, since the one i got was busted, and it was the only one in the store.

**crainger** · 04-01-09, 01:21 AM

My X-fi makes all my friends jealous and they wish they had one. So yes. it causes problems.

wysiwyg · 04-01-09, 09:35 AM

i now have a Auzentech Forte X-fi which i use with logitech 530 5.1 speakers and speedlink home 5.1 headphones

http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/a...x-fi-forte-71/

and WOW, hugely superior to the extreme gamer i used before. the main reason i got it is because the vista 64 drivers are very stable unlike what i experienced with the xtreme gamer drivers.

on the Forte its a lovely full sound too which i havent heard before and the base is more obvious and mellow

i had tried the realtek audio on my new x58 but the rear channel didnt work unless using the 7.1 option. very fked up drivers by realtek.

but i highly recomend the forte! (i got it brand new from on ebay at £70)

it can be used in any pci express slot - 1x up to 16x

GTA IV sounds much clearer than on the x-fi xtreme gamer too, on that voices would often go quiet or the radio stations would change volume, but on the forte everything is crystal clear and consistant

**XDanger** · 04-01-09, 12:59 PM

The gamer isn't a "real" x-fi though is it?

wysiwyg · 04-01-09, 01:12 PM

isnt it? what makes you think that?

as i believe my older xtremegamer is a proper x-fi card

maybe your thinking of the xtremeaudio

still no where near as good as the forte though

**XDanger** · 04-01-09, 01:40 PM

Yes yes ,The old one is I think

Great bargain on the Forte BTW!!

**nekrosoft13** · 04-01-09, 01:41 PM

gamer is fine, the X-Fi Xtreme Audio is just a Audigy SE card with x-fi logo

03-31-09, 02:57 PM	#1
john19055 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: GREENVILLE,TX Posts: 3,851	Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. On the new X58 boards does the X-Fi cause any probems .Or is the on board sound card just as good. I have a Gigabyte EX58-UD5.I have heard the newer on board sound was just as good or cIose to it. __________________ Intel i7-3820+Corsair H-100+ASROCK X79-Extreme4+16gigs G.Skill PC1600DDR3+2-ASUS DirectCU II GTX-670 in SLI+Crucial 256g-SSD+2- Samsung 1-TB+2-WesternDigtial 640g+LG-12x Blu-Ray Burner+1100w CoolerMaster+Antec-P280 case+50" Plasma PM6700+Logitech Mouse+Keyboard+Pioneer VSX-1020+Polk Audio Speakers

03-31-09, 03:18 PM	#2
nekrosoft13 I'm Geralt Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicagoland, once a year in Poland Posts: 24,364	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. i just went though this while upgrading to i7, my x-fi died, and i was stuck with onboard for few days. couldn't stand it, first grabbed the xonar (but it was defective). So now i have x-fi prelude (auzentech), so now is all good again __________________ Windows 8 the next big failure, right after Windows ME

03-31-09, 03:25 PM	#3
john19055 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: GREENVILLE,TX Posts: 3,851	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. I was hopeing the onboard sound was pretty good with the new X58 chipsets.I may have to get me a PCIe sound card.I got a place with it will fit . __________________ Intel i7-3820+Corsair H-100+ASROCK X79-Extreme4+16gigs G.Skill PC1600DDR3+2-ASUS DirectCU II GTX-670 in SLI+Crucial 256g-SSD+2- Samsung 1-TB+2-WesternDigtial 640g+LG-12x Blu-Ray Burner+1100w CoolerMaster+Antec-P280 case+50" Plasma PM6700+Logitech Mouse+Keyboard+Pioneer VSX-1020+Polk Audio Speakers

03-31-09, 05:13 PM	#5
$n][pErMan GTX 285 SSC Goodness! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,719	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. I don't think I have ever NOT used a sound card Have had my X-Fi for years now and I still think it sounds great __________________ Intel® Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 @ 3.51GHz (390 x 9 / 1.39v) \| ASUS P5B Deluxe/WiFi-AP LGA 775 Intel P965 (1236 BIOS) \| OCZ GOLD 4GB (2GB x 2) DDR2 PC2-8500 Dual Channel (4-4-4-12 780Mhz/1.95V 1:1 Ratio) \| EVGA GeForce GTX 285 SSC Edition 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 (Currently @ 720MHz Core / 2750MHz Memory) \| Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS \| Zalman CNPS9700 LED Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler \| 5 Western Digital 500GB SATA II 7200RPM w/32MB Buffer \| Acer X241W 24in Widescreen LCD 1920 x 1200 32bit \| Samsung DVD-RW-DL 18x Burner w/ lightscribe\| SILVERSTONE OP650 ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply \| AOpen 5.1 Surround sound system \| Windows Vista Business 64-Bit 3dMarkVantage: P16103 3dMark06: 17606 SuperPi 1M: 14s 100% Orthos Stable!

03-31-09, 05:29 PM	#6
nekrosoft13 I'm Geralt Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicagoland, once a year in Poland Posts: 24,364	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. Prelude sounds better then normal x-fi. I really can't comment on the Xonar sound quality, since the one i got was busted, and it was the only one in the store. __________________ Windows 8 the next big failure, right after Windows ME

04-01-09, 01:21 AM	#7
crainger Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia Posts: 29,535	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. My X-fi makes all my friends jealous and they wish they had one. So yes. it causes problems.

04-01-09, 09:35 AM	#8
wysiwyg Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 2,987	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. i now have a Auzentech Forte X-fi which i use with logitech 530 5.1 speakers and speedlink home 5.1 headphones http://www.xsreviews.co.uk/reviews/a...x-fi-forte-71/ and WOW, hugely superior to the extreme gamer i used before. the main reason i got it is because the vista 64 drivers are very stable unlike what i experienced with the xtreme gamer drivers. on the Forte its a lovely full sound too which i havent heard before and the base is more obvious and mellow i had tried the realtek audio on my new x58 but the rear channel didnt work unless using the 7.1 option. very fked up drivers by realtek. but i highly recomend the forte! (i got it brand new from on ebay at £70) it can be used in any pci express slot - 1x up to 16x GTA IV sounds much clearer than on the x-fi xtreme gamer too, on that voices would often go quiet or the radio stations would change volume, but on the forte everything is crystal clear and consistant

04-01-09, 12:59 PM	#9
XDanger Whaaat? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,675	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. The gamer isn't a "real" x-fi though is it? __________________ 2500K 4.4ghz,P8P67Pro,120gb Force3, 12gb Vengeance,HD6950,TX850v2,W7HP,LaCie Blue 22" crt COMMODORE 64 Silver Label 1Mhz/128D 4Mhz(Z80)

04-01-09, 01:12 PM	#10
wysiwyg Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, England Posts: 2,987	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. isnt it? what makes you think that? as i believe my older xtremegamer is a proper x-fi card maybe your thinking of the xtremeaudio still no where near as good as the forte though

04-01-09, 01:40 PM	#11
XDanger Whaaat? Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,675	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. Yes yes ,The old one is I think Great bargain on the Forte BTW!! __________________ 2500K 4.4ghz,P8P67Pro,120gb Force3, 12gb Vengeance,HD6950,TX850v2,W7HP,LaCie Blue 22" crt COMMODORE 64 Silver Label 1Mhz/128D 4Mhz(Z80)

04-01-09, 01:41 PM	#12
nekrosoft13 I'm Geralt Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicagoland, once a year in Poland Posts: 24,364	Re: Does the X-Fi sound card cause any probems. gamer is fine, the X-Fi Xtreme Audio is just a Audigy SE card with x-fi logo __________________ Windows 8 the next big failure, right after Windows ME

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
My UT2003 Tweak Guide	DXnfiniteFX	Gaming Central	48	10-30-02 11:59 PM
Got a Hercules sound card, read here plz!	Fluke	General Hardware	32	09-30-02 08:50 AM
The NV Sound Card Poll	saturnotaku	General Hardware	19	09-10-02 08:47 AM
Error! Linux cannot find my nVidia integrated sound card! Please help!	targatop	NVIDIA Linux	1	09-08-02 04:55 PM
Need a truly DOS compatible sound card.	Switch	General Hardware	11	09-06-02 10:35 AM