Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: X-Fi sounds cards - what's the difference?

  1. #1
    Oh right, Ted koocha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    East Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,783
    Thanks
    34
    Thanked
    44 times in 24 posts
    • koocha's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Fujitsu D2778-c1
      • CPU:
      • Intel Xeon W3656
      • Memory:
      • 12GB Triple Channel DDR3
      • Storage:
      • 512GB Crucial MX100 SSD, 3 x 3TB mechanicals
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX680
      • PSU:
      • 500w Fujitsu
      • Case:
      • Fujitsu M470-2
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • 42" LG Smart 3D TV
      • Internet:
      • 76Mb BT Infinity 2

    X-Fi sounds cards - what's the difference?

    Hey

    I'm looking to spend my Google checkout 'voucher' at ebuyer and thought I'd treat myself to a new sounds card (I've got an audidy 2 at the mo)

    I was browsing their selection for a decent card. Not specifically a Creative one, but I saw these cards and wondered what the difference was for me (games and music mostly):

    Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Soundcard - OEM
    http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/121761
    £31.30 inc VAT

    Creative Soundblaster X-fi Xtreme Gamer Soundcard - OEM
    http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/127030
    £44.75 inc VAT

    Does the increased price tag make that much of a difference? I'm certainly open to suggestions for new sounds cards. Preferably just over £30 inc vat

    Thanks

    EDIT: I've only got a 4.1 system and that's fine for me. Also It'll need to be compatible with Vista 64x
    Last edited by koocha; 21-04-2007 at 12:14 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Posts
    684
    Thanks
    20
    Thanked
    5 times in 5 posts
    I have a Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Gamer - Fatal1ty Professional Series(about £80ish). Really good card for gaming obviously, noticed a big diff, but thats only with my Sennheiser headphones, they work a treat together. U get what u pay for I guess

  3. #3
    Mostly Harmless
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    England
    Posts
    347
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    The audio card is really an audigy and I'm not sure about the gamer.

    I don't think either is really worthwhile upgrade from an audigy2 even if the gamer does genuinely use an xfi chip.

    The xfi music is a better card if you want a decent upgrade.
    "You've gotta laugh when you fall off a sofa!"

  4. #4
    Mostly Me Lucio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Tring
    Posts
    5,163
    Thanks
    443
    Thanked
    448 times in 351 posts
    • Lucio's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P
      • CPU:
      • AMD FX-6350 with Cooler Master Seldon 240
      • Memory:
      • 2x4GB Corsair DDR3 Vengeance
      • Storage:
      • 128GB Toshiba, 2.5" SSD, 1TB WD Blue WD10EZEX, 500GB Seagate Baracuda 7200.11
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire R9 270X 4GB
      • PSU:
      • 600W Silverstone Strider SST-ST60F
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master HAF XB
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 8.1 64Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung 2032BW, 1680 x 1050
      • Internet:
      • 16Mb Plusnet
    Isn't the X-Fi Gamer just the one with onboard optimisation for some of the common codec's used in games?

  5. #5
    Sukiyaki Western! notsobig's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,003
    Thanks
    32
    Thanked
    20 times in 20 posts
    One of customer's review say X-Fi Xtreme Audio Soundcard doesn't actually have X-Fi chip on them but they use rebadged older chipset instead. If this is true then price gap is understandable I guess.

    http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...ing=&offset=10

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    434
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2 times in 2 posts
    dont buy either of those.. buy the next model up

  7. #7
    Oh Crumbs.... Biscuit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    N. Yorkshire
    Posts
    11,193
    Thanks
    1,394
    Thanked
    1,091 times in 833 posts
    • Biscuit's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI B450M Mortar
      • CPU:
      • AMD 2700X (Be Quiet! Dark Rock 3)
      • Memory:
      • 16GB Patriot Viper 2 @ 3466MHz
      • Storage:
      • 500GB WD Black
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire R9 290X Vapor-X
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic Focus Gold 750W
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-V359
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 x64
      • Internet:
      • BT Infinity 80/20
    i would say dont get X-FI at all. I got mine a while ago and it was great but recently i have noticed that its started to crackle with high freq sounds. I assume this is down to a poor choice of componants by Creative

  8. #8
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    434
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    2 times in 2 posts
    its basically bad capacitors.. the second generation basically got bad capacitors and esp a core chip that runs hotter. You are lucky if you get those first gen production ones but i doubt they even exist in stores now... all you get is a good sounding card with low quality components. =/

    one techie pointed this out on the creative forums that the capacitors are cheapish ones as he recognized those and even put up evidences as to how bad those are

  9. #9
    Sukiyaki Western! notsobig's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    London
    Posts
    1,003
    Thanks
    32
    Thanked
    20 times in 20 posts
    Any info on upcoming models? Do they have new chip on them?

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    East London
    Posts
    702
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked
    11 times in 11 posts
    • Hasnath's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus PSWDH
      • CPU:
      • Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 4x1GB Ballistix 8500
      • Storage:
      • 2xWD 320KS(RAID0)
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY 9800GTX 512MB
      • PSU:
      • Tagan 580W U22
      • Case:
      • Coolermaster ATC110
      • Monitor(s):
      • HP L2045W
      • Internet:
      • BE 21MB
    Quote Originally Posted by Leepox View Post
    its basically bad capacitors.. the second generation basically got bad capacitors and esp a core chip that runs hotter. You are lucky if you get those first gen production ones but i doubt they even exist in stores now... all you get is a good sounding card with low quality components. =/

    one techie pointed this out on the creative forums that the capacitors are cheapish ones as he recognized those and even put up evidences as to how bad those are
    glad i've got the 1st gen without the heatsink

  11. #11
    Oh right, Ted koocha's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    East Yorkshire
    Posts
    1,783
    Thanks
    34
    Thanked
    44 times in 24 posts
    • koocha's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Fujitsu D2778-c1
      • CPU:
      • Intel Xeon W3656
      • Memory:
      • 12GB Triple Channel DDR3
      • Storage:
      • 512GB Crucial MX100 SSD, 3 x 3TB mechanicals
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX680
      • PSU:
      • 500w Fujitsu
      • Case:
      • Fujitsu M470-2
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • 42" LG Smart 3D TV
      • Internet:
      • 76Mb BT Infinity 2
    I've plumped for.....*drum roll*

    The Saitek Eclipse II Keyboard!

    It's to replace my Logitech Ultra-X. Don't get me wrong, I love it, just using my computer more in the dark these days

    EDIT: Oh, and a CAT5 cable to make it over £30

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. SLi dual cards vs single card?
    By Sadeka in forum Graphics Cards
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 24-06-2005, 03:17 PM
  2. The Confusing-ness of Compact Flash Cards :(
    By MurphmanL in forum Smartphones and Tablets
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 27-03-2005, 01:03 PM
  3. Digest 2004: Sound Cards
    By Steve in forum HEXUS News
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 26-01-2005, 07:26 PM
  4. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-01-2005, 05:09 PM
  5. Replies: 14
    Last Post: 24-12-2004, 08:50 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •