Creative labs Audigy SE vs. X-Fi Xtreme

kw87 · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 93

So I'm considering upgrading my sound card from the onboard sound as I have had a few problems running UT 2004 with my onboard Realtek ALC850. I am considering the following to cards:

Creative Labs - Sound Blaster Audigy SE Sound Card $30.99
Creative Labs - Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Card $72.99

It seems that the main difference is that the Audigy doesn't have hardware EAX 3.0 support like the X-Fi. My questions are:

1. Would I notice much of a difference from what I have now to the Audigy
2. Is my computer fast enough that I don't need the X-Fi's hardware acceleration?
3. Is the X-Fi really worth the extra $42? What kind of difference would I notice between the Audigy and the X-Fi?

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks,
kw87
_________________
Pentium D 805 2.6 @ 3.8GHz
Asus P5ND2-SLI Intel Edition
240GB RAID 0 SATA
2 GB DDR2 666 @ 766MHz
Gigabyte 7600GS Silent

Google · Sponsor

Xal · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007 2:33 am Post subject:

The Xfi is a great card but its really up to you and your budget. The Audigy is a HUGE upgrade from onboard and will play all your games fine. The Xfi has EAX 3 as you said as well as a number of performance and sound quality improvements over the audigy which makes it a bit more future proof. At the end of the day you need to consider how long you plan on using your current PC for and if when you upgrade you will use some of the parts in the new rig. If so and you plan on upgrading in the fairly near future then get the Xfi. If you don't plan on upgrading any time soon then just get the Audigy and get the top of the line at the time of your next upgrade. The Audigy is more than enough for modern games, I still use my SB Live! and can run anything I throw at it. No games do, or will in the near future, require EAX 3 to run so the Xfi should only be an option if you have the cash to spare for it (always buy the best for your budget) and if you are a sound lover with an itch to scratch. If its pushing your budget then just get the Audigy, its a great gaming card and you will be amazed at the sound quality difference.

Up to you

_________________
Phenom II x4 955 @ Stock
Asus M3N78-EM
4gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667 @ 800
1gb Powercolor Radeon HD 5850 @ Stock
X-fi Extreme Audio PCI E
Nexus 600W Silent PSU
Nexus Fans
Custom case

kw87 · TweakNOOB Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 93

Xal,

I want to thank you for your great advice. I decided to to with the Audigy because I had a $20 gift card and so I only paid about $11 out of pocket. I plan on having my current system for about the next 6 years. Maybe when I upgrade again I'll get the X-Fi gamer card. Well, thanks again and I've enjoyed the card so far. It really takes advantage of my 5.1 speaker system compared to the onboard Realtek.

Thanks,
kw87
_________________
Pentium D 805 2.6 @ 3.8GHz
Asus P5ND2-SLI Intel Edition
240GB RAID 0 SATA
2 GB DDR2 666 @ 766MHz
Gigabyte 7600GS Silent

Xal · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:56 pm Post subject:

No problem, enjoy it, its a great card :)
_________________
Phenom II x4 955 @ Stock
Asus M3N78-EM
4gb Corsair XMS2 DDR2 667 @ 800
1gb Powercolor Radeon HD 5850 @ Stock
X-fi Extreme Audio PCI E
Nexus 600W Silent PSU
Nexus Fans
Custom case