Soundcards - worth double the money?

[erub]

I currently have an Aureal Vortex2 soundcard (Montego II Quadzilla). It is being difficult to work under WinXP. I'm thinking about getting a new soundcard. 95% of its use will be for mp3z, the other 5% for games. Currently I have it attached to my bookshelf system stereo via a miniplug-RCA jack, which is then attached to 4 bookshelf-quality speakers. I am looking to upgrade eventually to 5.1 setup though. I am considering the Soundblaster Live 5.1 OEM - a lot of places have it for around ~$35. The other cards that get praises on this board are the Audigy, Acoustic Edge, and Santa Cruz..all those cards are around $65, if not more. Are they worth double the money, for my uses?

 

[Grendel99]

I had the same problem that you have. I had a MX300 (Vortex2) and I wanted to run Win2k and the drivers were non extistant. So I bought a Santa Cruz. Great card, sounds great in games and mp3s, and it has solid driver support. Hope that helps.

 

[gogeeta13]

you can get a used sb live! on fs/ft for 25 ish. I have 2 Sblive!'s, great sounds, great card, solid drivers!

 

[JDJ]

I've had a soundblaster Live! for a couple of years and it's a great card. The newer ones should be even better. Never had any support or driver issues.

 

[Udimet720]

erub,

A lot of people have had problems with Creative cards (especially with VIA chipsets, but results vary). If you search the threads, you will find plenty. I have had mixed experience with my SBLive! MP3+ 5.1. Overall, I like it and the features are pretty nice. The surround effects are cool and everything. However, at times I have expereinced pops/crackling. In that regard, I have heard that the SC has been much beter received. I don't think that many people have had problems with it. I have had a bit of experience with this card. It's pretty nice. A while ago, I bought one refurb'd from Dell. The price was a bit nicer. You might check there... Hope that helps.

 

[erub]

ttt, i want to order tonight - I'm pretty much decided on the Live 5.1 for $36 from Newegg, unless somebody can sway me to pay $69 for a Santa Cruz or $66 for an Audigy...

 

[stingbandel]

I think SB Live should be enough for you. It's a great soundcard imo. I've been using one since like 3 years ago and it's still solid (4.1 one).






Darno

 

[madthumbs]

I don't like the sound quality or driver support for the Creative card. I'm happy with the Acoustic Edge for now. Bought mine at Openlinx for a decent price.

 

[NIUBurned]

Am i the only one throwing out 100 bucks for teh hercules gaming theator XP? I figured it out, and with my 180ish aloted to me id might as well go with the XP....since my alternative was more than 120 dollars...heh So now ill get more small things...and one big nice fancy sound card system.

 

[MasterHoss]

If you're going to a full 5.1 surround sound solution for your computer, go with the Acoustic Edge. If you don't mind getting 4.1 surround sound (except when using capable softDVD players giving 5.1 surround sound) go with the Audigy OEM.

All-in-all, I would recommend you going with the Audigy OEM card--they do have WinXP drivers.

 

[RanDum72]

How about the Fortissimo II? Its about a few dollars more than the OEm SBLive!5.1 but its awesme with music and CPU usage is lower than even
the Live. Plus, it doesn't have issues with VIA chipsets.