What is the best soundcard?

Frank_L · 09-16-02, 05:33 PM

I want to buy a new soundcard to replace my good old vortex2. I want 5.1 sound for DVD and good music quality since I listen to music mostly on my computer. I'm also playing some fps games like UT 2003 and Quake. My Vortex2 was a very good card for 3d effects but it's a real cpu hog. I would want about the same quality but with better performance. I was not really impressed by EAX2 on the Live cards. Here are the cards that I'm considering:

SoundBlaster Audigy (even if it's a false 24bit)
Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1
Hercules Game Theatre XP 6.1

What would be the best choice for me?

thcdru2k · 09-16-02, 06:30 PM

i believe the hercules game theatre xp is the best of those 3.

thcdru2k · 09-16-02, 06:47 PM

actually if you have a decent speaker setup with a good amplifier, and good speakers etc, get a terratec dmx 6fire, this soundcard is way ahead of any creative card. it runs around 100-150 dollars but the sound quality is absolutely amazing. it runs pretty decent with games too. if you just have regular computer speakers than a creative will do, or better yet the hercules xp, or santa cruz.

McBane · 09-16-02, 07:12 PM

or you could go for the Terratec 6fire LT...its the same card as the 6 fire but it doesnt have the brakout box, which means it cheaper...

http://www.terratec.com/products/6fi...av_6firelt.htm

thcdru2k · 09-16-02, 07:21 PM

very true, hadn't notice that terratec made that card without the breakout box. you could also go for m-audio audiophile 2496..equally impressive sound quality to the terratec.

netviper13 · 09-16-02, 10:40 PM

I've got the Game Theater XP and it is an awesome card. There is just so much you can do with it, almost any speaker config works.

09-16-02, 10:41 PM

M-Audio Duo if you ever want to do real sound stuff... it's a Beautiful Thing.

thcdru2k · 09-16-02, 10:55 PM

or a lynx lol

sbp · 09-16-02, 11:23 PM

Beast Buy is clearing out their Hercules Game Theater XP Audio Station for $75.50 w/ free shipping.
http://www.bestbuy.com/ComputersPeri...t=521&scat=523

The Vortex 2 sound cards were great sound cards for their time. I tried my MX300 under Win2k but it wasn't fully functional since unfortunately Aureal died before the drivers were finished. It was time to upgrade.

I have both the SB Audigy and Turtle Beach Santa Cruz and think they are both good.

Sound Blaster Audigy
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz uses the same Cirrus Logic SoundFusion CS4630 soundchip as the Hercules Game Theater XP.
The Hercules Fortissimo uses the Cirrus Logic CS4624 soundchip.

The Audigy has the best EAX implementation and is a bit more forward looking (EAX Advanced, firewire).

Turtle Beach has solid WinXP drivers. A lot of people like it since it has a nice clear sound.

links of interest: http://www.3dss.com/
http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Audio/Sound_Cards/

FastM · 09-19-02, 01:42 PM

Does anyone know all the differences between the

Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1

and

Hercules Game Theatre XP 6.1

I thinking i want to try something other than creative to maybe help the performance hit im taking in Unreal2003 with Hardware sound enabled. These two seem like the best options. I can go and get the XP 6.1 card from a local retailer today, but i want to know if its worth it to get the 7.1 (Basically if there is anything different apart from support for 1 more speaker).

Btw, i use a 4 speaker setup and thats not going to change for a while.

Fluke · 09-19-02, 02:08 PM

I replaced my Audigy a while back with Hercules Game Theatre XP 6.1 and I'm not looking back. And the best is my game perforamance, no slow downs in heavy action with heavy sfx or voices. Can't believe I have been disillusioned all these years. Took a few sites to wake up and realize Creative is crap.

FastM · 09-19-02, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fluke
I replaced my Audigy a while back with Hercules Game Theatre XP 6.1 and I'm not looking back. And the best is my game perforamance, no slow downs in heavy action with heavy sfx or voices. Can't believe I have been disillusioned all these years. Took a few sites to wake up and realize Creative is crap.

That is exactly the type of comment i was looking for. Im going After work to buy the Hercules XP 6.1, thanx for the reply.

I already cant wait to Try selling my Audigy, the worst part is i know lots of people want one...

09-16-02, 05:33 PM	#1
Frank_L Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 14	What is the best soundcard? I want to buy a new soundcard to replace my good old vortex2. I want 5.1 sound for DVD and good music quality since I listen to music mostly on my computer. I'm also playing some fps games like UT 2003 and Quake. My Vortex2 was a very good card for 3d effects but it's a real cpu hog. I would want about the same quality but with better performance. I was not really impressed by EAX2 on the Live cards. Here are the cards that I'm considering: SoundBlaster Audigy (even if it's a false 24bit) Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1 Hercules Game Theatre XP 6.1 What would be the best choice for me?

09-16-02, 06:30 PM	#2
thcdru2k Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 1,142	i believe the hercules game theatre xp is the best of those 3. __________________ Athlon XP 1.58GHz \| MSI KT3 Ultra2 \| 256MB DDR PC-3000 \| GeForce 4 ti4200 64mb @ 310/533 \| IBM 120GXP 40.0GB \| Det. 41.09 \| DX 9 RC2 \| Win XP SP1 11118 3DMarks

09-16-02, 06:47 PM	#3
thcdru2k Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 1,142	actually if you have a decent speaker setup with a good amplifier, and good speakers etc, get a terratec dmx 6fire, this soundcard is way ahead of any creative card. it runs around 100-150 dollars but the sound quality is absolutely amazing. it runs pretty decent with games too. if you just have regular computer speakers than a creative will do, or better yet the hercules xp, or santa cruz. __________________ Athlon XP 1.58GHz \| MSI KT3 Ultra2 \| 256MB DDR PC-3000 \| GeForce 4 ti4200 64mb @ 310/533 \| IBM 120GXP 40.0GB \| Det. 41.09 \| DX 9 RC2 \| Win XP SP1 11118 3DMarks

09-16-02, 07:12 PM	#4
McBane Left Hand Black Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 47	or you could go for the Terratec 6fire LT...its the same card as the 6 fire but it doesnt have the brakout box, which means it cheaper... http://www.terratec.com/products/6fi...av_6firelt.htm __________________ "When I think of a Woman's ass, I get ferocious..." Al Pacino in HEAT PR0N-O-MATIC XL-509I

09-16-02, 07:21 PM	#5
thcdru2k Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 1,142	very true, hadn't notice that terratec made that card without the breakout box. you could also go for m-audio audiophile 2496..equally impressive sound quality to the terratec. __________________ Athlon XP 1.58GHz \| MSI KT3 Ultra2 \| 256MB DDR PC-3000 \| GeForce 4 ti4200 64mb @ 310/533 \| IBM 120GXP 40.0GB \| Det. 41.09 \| DX 9 RC2 \| Win XP SP1 11118 3DMarks

09-16-02, 10:40 PM	#6
netviper13 Treehugger Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 942	I've got the Game Theater XP and it is an awesome card. There is just so much you can do with it, almost any speaker config works.

09-16-02, 10:41 PM	#7
The Baron Guest Posts: n/a	M-Audio Duo if you ever want to do real sound stuff... it's a Beautiful Thing.

09-16-02, 10:55 PM	#8
thcdru2k Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milpitas, CA Posts: 1,142	or a lynx lol __________________ Athlon XP 1.58GHz \| MSI KT3 Ultra2 \| 256MB DDR PC-3000 \| GeForce 4 ti4200 64mb @ 310/533 \| IBM 120GXP 40.0GB \| Det. 41.09 \| DX 9 RC2 \| Win XP SP1 11118 3DMarks

09-16-02, 11:23 PM	#9
sbp Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: MD Posts: 366	Beast Buy is clearing out their Hercules Game Theater XP Audio Station for $75.50 w/ free shipping. http://www.bestbuy.com/ComputersPeri...t=521&scat=523 The Vortex 2 sound cards were great sound cards for their time. I tried my MX300 under Win2k but it wasn't fully functional since unfortunately Aureal died before the drivers were finished. It was time to upgrade. I have both the SB Audigy and Turtle Beach Santa Cruz and think they are both good. Sound Blaster Audigy Turtle Beach Santa Cruz uses the same Cirrus Logic SoundFusion CS4630 soundchip as the Hercules Game Theater XP. The Hercules Fortissimo uses the Cirrus Logic CS4624 soundchip. The Audigy has the best EAX implementation and is a bit more forward looking (EAX Advanced, firewire). Turtle Beach has solid WinXP drivers. A lot of people like it since it has a nice clear sound. links of interest: http://www.3dss.com/ http://www.neoseeker.com/Hardware/Audio/Sound_Cards/ Last edited by sbp; 09-16-02 at 11:33 PM.

09-19-02, 01:42 PM	#10
FastM GeForceFlop Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 545	Does anyone know all the differences between the Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1 and Hercules Game Theatre XP 6.1 I thinking i want to try something other than creative to maybe help the performance hit im taking in Unreal2003 with Hardware sound enabled. These two seem like the best options. I can go and get the XP 6.1 card from a local retailer today, but i want to know if its worth it to get the 7.1 (Basically if there is anything different apart from support for 1 more speaker). Btw, i use a 4 speaker setup and thats not going to change for a while.

09-19-02, 02:08 PM	#11
Fluke Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 112	I replaced my Audigy a while back with Hercules Game Theatre XP 6.1 and I'm not looking back. And the best is my game perforamance, no slow downs in heavy action with heavy sfx or voices. Can't believe I have been disillusioned all these years. Took a few sites to wake up and realize Creative is crap.

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