X-Fi ExtremeMusic

[cbuchach]

I found this deal for the X-fi XtremeMusic (not the XtremeAudio which doesn't have hardware accelerated sound decoding). These have become hard to find and in my experience had retailed for over $70-$80. I recently picked one up and am waiting for shipment.

Link at Ascendtech

 

[GeezerMan]

Excellent card, I use one myself.

 

[legcramp]

Decent deal, but you forgot to mention these are OEM .

 

[Cabages]

Whats the deal with Creative sound cards and Vista again?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Cabages
Whats the deal with Creative sound cards and Vista again?

Legacy EAX titles support EAX via a "wrapper" than translates DirectSound3D calls into OpenAL which then allows for the EAX effects, for a list of titles that support OpenAL and thus EAX natively (no need for a wrapper and will be processed directly by the hardware) see:

http://www.openal.org/titles.html

 

[nycdude]

nice

 

[cbuchach]

Originally posted by: RIFLEMAN007
Decent deal, but you forgot to mention these are OEM .

It doesn't say in the product info so I wasn't sure but it is my suspicion that they are OEM.

 

[SitrukFlow]

I jumped, seems decent. I was planning on getting an X-fi Gamer, but this was $30-40 cheaper. I'm not sure what the difference between the two cards is, but this seems like it will work well for CS:S and my headset, which is what I bought it for.

What is the problem if this card is an OEM, is there something in the retail version that I would need other than the card itself? Drivers can be downloaded and this version didn't come with the front panel. First time buying a sound card other than a cheapo SoundBlaster LIVE! so I'm not 100% sure.

- Sitruk

 

[travisray2004]

Thanks OP!

 

[cbuchach]

Originally posted by: SitrukFlow
I jumped, seems decent. I was planning on getting an X-fi Gamer, but this was $30-40 cheaper. I'm not sure what the difference between the two cards is, but this seems like it will work well for CS:S and my headset, which is what I bought it for.

What is the problem if this card is an OEM, is there something in the retail version that I would need other than the card itself? Drivers can be downloaded and this version didn't come with the front panel. First time buying a sound card other than a cheapo SoundBlaster LIVE! so I'm not 100% sure.

- Sitruk

I don't think you'll have any problem. With Creative, you'll want the newest updated drivers anyways and from my experience, I really never used the extra "junk" they include with the retail box.

 

[JatMan]

How is it compare to Chaintech AV-710?

 

[GeezerMan]

I have had both. If you want just digital out, then either will do. The chaintech has only decent DACs on the rear surrounds, that you can use for good 2 channel stereo. The Xtrememusic has excellent DACs on all channels, it is the better card for analog use.

 

[FuManChuu]

exactly the deal I was looking for... man, onboard audio sucks

 

[JatMan]

GeezerMan, what drivers do you recommend for Chaintech as I couldn't get my analog output to work using Via Arena drivers.

My issues is to connect Xbox 360 and my HTPC with Chaintech with my Logitech Z-680's but logitech got only one SPDIF input. Currently, I am manually hooking the one I wanna listen from.

 

[GeezerMan]

Originally posted by: JatMan
GeezerMan, what drivers do you recommend for Chaintech as I couldn't get my analog output to work using Via Arena drivers.

My issues is to connect Xbox 360 and my HTPC with Chaintech with my Logitech Z-680's but logitech got only one SPDIF input. Currently, I am manually hooking the one I wanna listen from.

That's odd. I used the Envy 24 drivers from Via. How about some sort of A/B switch to switch between the Xbox and the PC?

 

[cyberia]

Originally posted by: cbuchach

Originally posted by: SitrukFlow
I jumped, seems decent. I was planning on getting an X-fi Gamer, but this was $30-40 cheaper. I'm not sure what the difference between the two cards is, but this seems like it will work well for CS:S and my headset, which is what I bought it for.

What is the problem if this card is an OEM, is there something in the retail version that I would need other than the card itself? Drivers can be downloaded and this version didn't come with the front panel. First time buying a sound card other than a cheapo SoundBlaster LIVE! so I'm not 100% sure.

- Sitruk

I don't think you'll have any problem. With Creative, you'll want the newest updated drivers anyways and from my experience, I really never used the extra "junk" they include with the retail box.

I don't know if OEM versions of this card exist besides Dell's. Dell's OEM version of this card is crippled. Retail drivers and bundled software will not install with Dell's OEM card.

 

[RallyMaster]

This is the real X-Fi sound processor, right? I remember the XtremeMusic was released with the first batch of X-Fis before Creative ended their production...

 

[sintaxera]

It looks like it. As far as I know, the Xtreme Audio is the POS one.

 

[Treyshadow]

Yes the xtrememusic was / is a real X-Fi processor. I have had this card for quite a while and appreciate it now in vista using the new Creative installation ISO (not on their site).

Also you can use alchemy in vista to get the remainder of your favorite games to act/react the same as they did in XP.

 

[Derektm]

Do you have any more information on this Creative Installation ISO. I have this card on order to use with vista.

 

[imaheadcase]

If you want the software you can order if from creative for shipping $7, OR you can go to creative forum and download the 600meg ISO that is linked all over. It works with JUST X-FI cards (except that POS AUdio one)

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: sintaxera
It looks like it. As far as I know, the Xtreme Audio is the POS one.

Confirmed

X-Fi Xtreme Audio October 2006 Does not contain the EMU20K1 chipset used by the rest of the series. Is based on the same chipset as the Audigy 2 SE and SB Live! 24-bit.

The X-Fi Extreme Audio is just a sound blaster live (pre audigy 1) it looks like.

 

[cbuchach]

I just got the card today and am satisfied. It is definately an OEM--just the card. I downloaded the drivers from Creative and am running fine. I tested the card listening to it (it sounds great) and with 3DMark2003 sound tests where there was about a 8~10% performance increase over my old Audigy 2 ZS; so the hardware accel is working.

 

[Derektm]

Sounds good thanks for the confirmation. I ordered yesterday and mine was shipped today. Looks like their OOS now!

 

[MrC4]

Just ordered and seems to be in stock. Wish me luck!