soundcard

[jhagerty]

Could someone please recommend a very inexpensive soundcard that will allow me to go out of the card to a Dolby Home theater for 5.1 sound? Thanks.

 

[BstOnTheBrain]

I have the Audigy ZS 2 and its great..not sure how expensive it is but im sure you could get it for around $60-70 online somewhere

 

[003]

If you can, get an X-Fi XtremeMusic from newegg for $117, and if that's to expensive, get an OEM Audigy2 ZS from newegg for $70. But only get the audigy2 if you absolutely have to, the x-fi is a HUGE improvement over it.

 

[AND_YOU_ARE]

003, has it right. The X-FI is a great sound card if you have the cash for it, if not go back one generation to the Audigy 2ZS.

 

[lazerman]

Not to steal a thread or anything, but is the X-Fi of which you two speak?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188

If so, will it improve gaming performance since my CPU will no longer have to aid the onboard audio?

 

[turtile]

It will slightly increase performance.

The Fatality and Pro have X ram which will store all the audio memory.

 

[AND_YOU_ARE]

Not to steal a thread or anything, but is the X-Fi of which you two speak?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188

If so, will it improve gaming performance since my CPU will no longer have to aid the onboard audio?

Yeah that is the card I mentioned. It is a popular card, and i bet newegg will have more soon.

It will slightly increase performance.

The Fatality and Pro have X ram which will store all the audio memory.

This is true, but for those who are on a budget, I wouldnÂ’t recommend it. The only instance I would recommend it is if you are building a new pc and want it to be as future proof as you can get a pc, or are upgrading to this card, and donÂ’t want to upgrade for some time. It retails at 270USD. It is a tad pricey, but then again some buy 400$ + video cards.

I recommend this X-FI over onboard audio; it is just greatly superior to any onboard sound.

 

[beardo526]

I just ordered an XtremeMusic yesterday after I found out that my Audigy 2 ZS doesn't like microphones for some reason. If you use a microphone for talking during games, I wouldn't recommend the 2 ZS. Do some googling and check the Creative forums for more information on the microphone thing. The Audigy 2 ZS will be shipped back tomorrow. I hope the X-Fi lives up to the hype...

 

[AND_YOU_ARE]

What were the microphone problems for that card?

 

[straightv6]

for under $30. i just installed it yesterday and it works fine.
the price seems to have a gone up a couple of bucks over the past week.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=29-120-103&depa=1