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Thread: Soundcards...

  1. #1
    No-one's Fanboi Thorsson's Avatar
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    Soundcards...

    Just before I was going to transfer my Audigy to my Vista machine it decided to stop working on the front channels. So I'm faced with two questions:

    1. With my setup (Q6600/IP35 Pro) is a new soundcard worth it? My usage is for games, music (I never get a chance to use the Lounge 5.1 as someone else is always watching TV/DVD), and DVDs (I tend to like stuff that no-one else does). The split is probably 60%:30%:10%.

    2. If it is worth it, what is the best card to get (for Vista64) given my usage?

    I don't have a budget per se, but getting a small improvement in sound quality for £150 would fall under the "not worth it" category from my PoV.

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    Senior Member Mithrandir's Avatar
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    Re: Soundcards...

    I've been reading some good stuff from the Xonar range of soundcards.
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    Re: Soundcards...

    I have the Asus Xonar d2x, and the inprovment in sound quality is well worth it. (And, it uses a 1xPCIe slot.)

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    No-one's Fanboi Thorsson's Avatar
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    Re: Soundcards...

    Doesn't it support games in software?

    On another angle. I see that my on-board has two modes - one of which is HD. Are there HD speakers available that are suitable for a PC in a study?

    And does the Xonar support HD?

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    Re: Soundcards...

    Here's the blurb on the d2x http://uk.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=...89&modelmenu=1, doesn't mention HD.

    But they do a Xonar HDAV1.3 which does, http://uk.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=...55&modelmenu=1, bet it is more expensive though.

    Hope this helps

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    Lightbulb Re: Soundcards...

    Quote Originally Posted by vinnyT View Post

    But they do a Xonar HDAV1.3 which does, http://uk.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=...55&modelmenu=1, bet it is more expensive though.
    Indeed it is. A lot more expensive in fact!

    It's still a pre-order product, so prices are liable to change... but it's £176 + loose change from OcUK... and a whopping £217.36 from Scan
    Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder


  7. #7
    No-one's Fanboi Thorsson's Avatar
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    Re: Soundcards...

    Now that's a lot of money.

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    Re: Soundcards...

    Quote Originally Posted by Thorsson View Post
    Now that's a lot of money.
    A lot more than I would be prepared to spend on a soundcard, for sure.

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    Re: Soundcards...

    There's also the cut-down DX for ~£50 too. I'd try and stay away from Creative products.

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