Entry Level X-Fi Sound Cards available. Xtreme Audio and Xtreme Gamer versions. (Review Added!)

[formulav8]

Listing of Entry Level based X-FI Sound Cards.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 70SB079000000 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail - $66 + $6.34 shipping. This appears to be a stripped down xTremeMusic. Lacks the gold plating and the software bundle.

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer 70SB073A00000 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail - $90 + $6.83 shipping. I'm not sure if this contains X-Ram higher than 2MB or not.

Anyways, feel free to check them out and let us know how they are.

I have a xTremeMusic already so I have no need to buy one

Edit: Thanks to 'grtmoby' for the link to the review. Review to the Gamer version

Looks to be real Entry-Level cards based on the X-Fi processors. They are very similar to my xTremeMusic but without the gold plating, digital out, and software bundle. If you can do without that stuff, then these could be the right cards for you.


Jason

 

[bjamm2]

extreme gamer, better or worse than the audigy 4 pro?

 

[sintaxera]

Why does the gamer version have a heatsink? Is it clocked higher or something ?

Also, if you compare the first X-Fi listed to the Audigy SE, they look an AWFUL lot alike:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102010

If I remember correctly the X-Fi main chip is pin-compatible with the old Audigy chip. It appears they are essentially using the same board with a new chip. Good deal for a budget card, but audiophile people might want to reconsider. I have tinnitus anyway so what do I care.

Wha?

 

[Joony]

Looks like a low profile PCI card, but a low profile bracket is not included! darn!

 

[grtmoby]

This version of the gamer doesn't have x-ram on it. There is another gamer one same like fatal1ty version with 64MB x-ram but without the 5.25 drive for 145.99$. It can be found Here

 

[InSuboRdiNaTioN]

How is it they were able to make these new cards so much smaller? What'd they leave out?

 

[cremefilled]

No digital out -- very unusual these days.

 

[grtmoby]

Originally posted by: cremefilled
No digital out -- very unusual these days.

u mean optical output or what. There is a multifunction jack which has digital output which to be enabled from the control panel.

 

[ShadoWing]

bump!

 

[bunnyfubbles]

what's the difference between the cards? I'd think both cards would be equally suited for gaming...

"Boost audio performance even further in games that support X-RAM
Free up system memory and improve overall gaming audio quality and performance in game titles like Battlefield 2, Prey, Quake 4, Doom 3 and others that take advantage of X-RAM."

That's what is listed as a feature for the XtremeGamer version...

Granted, I don't think I'd pay the premium...

 

[grtmoby]

there's no difference both fatal1ty versions except the 5.25 drive. The other gamer doesm't have the x-ram but an x-fi chipset is there. There was a review about these new cards but will search and post it when i go home (work now).

 

[formulav8]

Please post grtmoby and I will also put the links in the main post if thats ok with you.



Jason

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: grtmoby
there's no difference both fatal1ty versions except the 5.25 drive. The other gamer doesm't have the x-ram but an x-fi chipset is there. There was a review about these new cards but will search and post it when i go home (work now).

 

[cruzer]

Smart move by Creative to release these, but a bit too late maybe? The original X-Fi price has been dropping steadily for months.

 

[Auric]

High CPU requirements suggest these are not based upon the CA20K1-PAG DSP. Previous entry level models were likewise not based upon the EMU10K1 and EMU10K2 DSP. See previous thread.

 

[WT]

Auric, thx for the info ... I was unaware of the DSP disparity (I currently have an Audigy ES) and this, coupled with Vista's reliance on DirectSound, means I should just stick with upgrading to the Audigy 2 ZS.

 

[santz]

Here are the specs of these cards straight from creative. i will find the external reviews asap and post soon.

x-fi gamer: $90
http://us.creative.com/products/product...gory=209&subcategory=669&product=15853

x-fi xtreme audio: $69
http://us.creative.com/products/product...gory=209&subcategory=669&product=15855

 

[grtmoby]

Originally posted by: formulav8
Please post grtmoby and I will also put the links in the main post if thats ok with you.
Jason

Here you go

not very detailed but might be of a help in addition to what creative has on its site.

and sorry for the dealy...

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: santz
Here are the specs of these cards straight from creative. i will find the external reviews asap and post soon.

x-fi gamer: $90
http://us.creative.com/products/product...gory=209&subcategory=669&product=15853

x-fi xtreme audio: $69
http://us.creative.com/products/product...gory=209&subcategory=669&product=15855

Audio is the new card, Music is the old one.

 

[kamiller42]

Correct me if I am wrong, but to get SPDIF out, you have to buy the Digital I/O module. Right? Or does it come as part of a break out cable?

 

[santz]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: santz
Here are the specs of these cards straight from creative. i will find the external reviews asap and post soon.

x-fi gamer: $90
http://us.creative.com/products/product...gory=209&subcategory=669&product=15853

x-fi xtreme audio: $69
http://us.creative.com/products/product...gory=209&subcategory=669&product=15855

Audio is the new card, Music is the old one.

thanks, error corrected in initial post!

 

[grtmoby]

Originally posted by: kamiller42
Correct me if I am wrong, but to get SPDIF out, you have to buy the Digital I/O module. Right? Or does it come as part of a break out cable?

yeah u r right, SPDIF u have to buy the Digital module or the 5.25 bay drive thaat come with the original Fatal1ty one.

 

[toolfan]

Originally posted by: grtmoby

Originally posted by: kamiller42
Correct me if I am wrong, but to get SPDIF out, you have to buy the Digital I/O module. Right? Or does it come as part of a break out cable?

yeah u r right, SPDIF u have to buy the Digital module or the 5.25 bay drive thaat come with the original Fatal1ty one.

No, the FlexiJack port on the card supports SPDIF out. You just need a 3.5mm --> RCA adapter from Radio Shack and you can plug a coax cable into it. If you are looking for optical out, then you would need the I/O module.

 

[grtmoby]

Originally posted by: toolfan

Originally posted by: grtmoby

Originally posted by: kamiller42
Correct me if I am wrong, but to get SPDIF out, you have to buy the Digital I/O module. Right? Or does it come as part of a break out cable?

yeah u r right, SPDIF u have to buy the Digital module or the 5.25 bay drive thaat come with the original Fatal1ty one.

No, the FlexiJack port on the card supports SPDIF out. You just need a 3.5mm --> RCA adapter from Radio Shack and you can plug a coax cable into it. If you are looking for optical out, then you would need the I/O module.

the xtreme gamer is different of the three others as far as I can understand. u can look at the three of them in here;

Xtreme Gamer

Xtreme Audio

Xtreme Gamer Fatal1ty (w/o drive)

 

[formulav8]

Sorry, I completely forgot about this thread. The review link was added. It appears these cards really are based on the X-Fi processing chips.

The have the 24 Bit Crystalizer, 3x Processing Modes, ect... They appear to be my xTremeMusic without the Optical output, Gold plating, and Software bundle.

I would definitely have given one of these a try if I didn't already have my X-Fi. So it does look like these Entry-Level cards are the real deal!

If someone has bought one of these, post your results


Jason