Sound Cards?

P

Pircan

Geek Trainee
Ive been using my Sound Blaster LIVE! card on this computer for 2 years. It has been fine till a couple of months ago.. volume started decreasing over time, headphones shorting out quicker and quicker, many things started to go. Is there anyone that could suggest a company of sound cards (that isnt sound blaster) or tell me a good card?

i am a gamer so i use it alot for counterstrike, warcraft 3, and many other games i play.. so i need microphones, so im looking for maybe to spend around 100$. ty for all the help
 
I like Hercules. I've used their Fortissimo cards (the original by Guillemot which owns Hercules now, and the FII). I haven't tried the III, but based on the previous 2, I'm pretty sure it's a nice card. If you need a lot of connections, their GameTheater XP has an external box with all the connections on it.

The Audigy is a good card, but Creative (SoundBlaster) has bloated drivers and software for their products. I've heard Terratec cards are good, but I think these run over the price you want.

I haven't used much in the way of mics with these cards, so I can't say how good that section is.
 
kool man :) ty, u know the prices/price ranges for these cards? i looked on their websites but didnt have any prices listed anywhere
 
The Fortissimo cards run around $50-70, depending on where ya go. The GameTheater runs anywhere from $80-130 depending on where ya go. There's also the Muse line, but that may be getting a little too cheap. These run anywhere from $30-50. Prices in USD.
 
a very good sound card is terratec aureon space 7.1, at about 130$. it is very competitive because of its via envy 24 chip. at least everyone says that.
 
Have fun.

One thing I should mention, and they do know this, is that last driver set I knew Hercules put out had some problems. I don't know if they've gotten a newer driver set out that corrects the problem, but that's something I just remembered. I don't know the exact driver version, but Hercules tech support was good to my friend when he had the problem. I can't say anything, since I've never had to deal with their tech support yet. :)
Don't let that stop you from going with the GTXP. It's not my choice because of the breakout box, but I can see someone that does inputs into the PC making good use out of it.

edit: looks like the latest drivers (6.07) fixed the stability issues.

http://us.hercules.com/support/link_drivers.php3?prodid=17&c=1&p=2&ShowPrevious=1
 
If your looking fro a card that will last you the next 5 years, go for M-Audio. Its currently the only 7.1 Compatible sound card, with best audio in the world. Its prices WAAAAAY Below the Audigy Series, and outpreforms it by a thousand.

The Hercules is a great card, yes, Same with Turtle Beach Santa Cruz cards. They are the EXACT same cards if you didnt know. They are cheap, amazing, and work amazing. Dont be tricked into buying stuff you wont need. Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum or any Audigy 2 for that matter is unnecisary when you can get the same stuff at a better price. I'll be upgrading my sound card soon enough, so i'll tell you what my review is on it.
 
Hey
Im gonna have to disagree with you this time ska...hehe...I love my audigy 2 card. Got it for 82 bucks with shipping from newegg.com Love it too! go with what you want though! Its really up to you but if you want a recommendation, i personally would say audigy 2

later
 
Yup. Personal preference is key. I have an Audigy 1 and actually don't like it as much as a Fortissimo II or the on-board nForce sound. But, Newegg, I pretty much swear by them. You don't order $1,000 worth of parts over a year and a half if you don't like a company.
 
I've always like Creative products, always will, but i'm lookign for a change. Its not worth it to stick to one type of product all your life. New and exciting things. Its like buying the same exact food day in day out. Why do that. I'm going to try soemthing new. See what happens.
 
IMO, only spend loads on a soundcard if you make music and need your gm kit and the likes.

For day to day use you dont need built in synths or memory banks, asio2 drivers blah blah, just...... sound.
People go on about the sample rate etc, just get a card with 24bit support cos thats what makes the tiny differance in cheap (cards less than say £250) cards.

Audigy 2 is a great card, music makers hate it...... and they know sound cards, so if they hate it everyone does!

Any digital sb live is worth getting, to go and spend more than £50 on one is silly.
If you dont spend £100s spend as little as possible.
 
I talked to this Music Recording dude I know, and he said M-Audio is THE SHIT. He said its the nicest card he's ever used. So still, thats my suggestion.
 
If the drivers don't have an EQ, the sound card/chip isn't worth the PCB it's on. Main reason I'm not crazy over the C-Media stuff. Pretty worthless w/o an EQ.
 
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