X-Fi Xtreme Gamer $50.99 AR

[xp3nd4bl3]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006

Is this a good card? I'm in the market for audio. I need a good sound card to go with my Z-5500.

[JMSpeed]

I really wish would have seen this before the Ascendtech XtremeMusic deal... :(

To answer question ...it is a great card for gaming, especially at that price.

[Fish422]

I just ordered it yesterday, actually.

Pros:
+ X-fi, provides 3d positioning
+ Cheap, $50
+ Probably much better sound over onboard, but it may vary

Cons:
- No Linux driver support
- Lackluster drivers
- Chance of a 'high pitched noise', if you get it I would just return it, like I will if I get one that does it
- No XRAM, like what you see on other, more expensive x-fi models

most of the cons probably don't apply to you, or are not needed. I would just worry about the high pitched noise.

hope this helps

[xp3nd4bl3]

Cool, thanks for the input. Assuming it works okay with Vista x64 none of the cons should be a problem.

[Rabid Badger]

I've been loving mine so far.

[Justintoxicated]

good deal, but was it not proven that the xtreme music deal was a better buy? Acording to everyone in that thread except for me, the xtreme music was better.
For me the biggest difference was having the regular front panel output so no adapter or front panel needed. No High Pitched noise here. Sending out the rebate Monday.

[seemlessthunder]

How would this compare to the Audigy 2 ZS Gamer. I've got that packed away and haven't used it in a while since I got onboard, but I got some nice speakers and I noticed this deal. Wondering if there'd be a significant improvement or better to just stick with what I've got. Outputting to the Yamaha YSP-800.

[game14]

i have the audigy 2 zs and the xfi xtreme gamer - cant hear much difference between them . They are both good cards in my opinion , way better than onboard sound .

[Menelmarar]

I just ordered it yesterday, actually.

Pros:
+ X-fi, provides 3d positioning
+ Cheap, $50
+ Probably much better sound over onboard, but it may vary

Cons:
- No Linux driver support
- Lackluster drivers
- Chance of a 'high pitched noise', if you get it I would just return it, like I will if I get one that does it
- No XRAM, like what you see on other, more expensive x-fi models

most of the cons probably don't apply to you, or are not needed. I would just worry about the high pitched noise.

hope this helps
Additionally:
Newer revision PCB than the others, cost reduced, lower profile PCB .
Doesn't have the external I/O port for the I/O breakout box, or the internal hookup for the 5 1/4" Live DRive thing.
Doesn't come with as much creative branded bloatware as the more expensive models.
DOES have the audio connectors, for front of case headphone/mic connections. (this is a new features for Xgamer only I think)

Def much better sound over onboard, especially if you consider the hardware acceleration for gaming.

More casual consumer/gamer oriented.

[The Red]

How would this compare to the Audigy 2 ZS Gamer. I've got that packed away and haven't used it in a while since I got onboard, but I got some nice speakers and I noticed this deal. Wondering if there'd be a significant improvement or better to just stick with what I've got. Outputting to the Yamaha YSP-800.

First of all, it is better than the A2ZS Gamer... I had the A2ZS Gamer, bought the X-Fi Music, and the sound is amazing, especially with crystalizer on...

Secondly, for you and everyone else who should be informed that on-board audio uses their computers CPU for audio processing, and cheap sound cards like Audigy SB Live! LS did the same (via software processing), but the A2ZS and X-Fi line have their OWN chips... meaning, your entire computer's performance goes up when you have a dedicated sound card because it alleviates strain on the CPU. Not to mention better sound processing and quality. You should have had that A2ZS popped in instead of gathering dust.

Lastly, from what I've gathered, the X-Fi XtremeMusic was more suited to my needs and tastes, and physically it seems like its a much larger card than the Gamer (why? I have no idea), and its prettier to boot with its gold coated rear jacks instead of these plastic ones on the Gamer. Nobody who got the XtremeMusic should be having regrets at this point... not to mention it was #1 cheaper than this one to begin with, and #2 had no rebate to worry about.

[Omegas]

This question might be best suited for the audio section but here goes anyway..

I'm looking to pickup a set of Z5500 and using the digital optical output of my IP35 MB to power it. Would this sound card be a better option even without optical or would any sound card make a difference (other than performance drain on the CPU) since I'm using a Digital Output?

[The Red]

This question might be best suited for the audio section but here goes anyway..

I'm looking to pickup a set of Z5500 and using the digital optical output of my IP35 MB to power it. Would this sound card be a better option even without optical or would any sound card make a difference (other than performance drain on the CPU) since I'm using a Digital Output?

I have the Abit IP35 Pro myself and the fact that it has both optical IN and OUT unlike almost all other mobos is just frosting on the cake. If you plan on using the IN I'd say to stay away from a sound card that doesnt provide both IN and OUT. I still got a lot of MiniDiscs of music I used for mixes that I like to pump into the system and having the optical IN was just all too convenient of an excuse even though I never ended up using it.

However, there is a bigger trade-off for using on-board than the fact that it will bogg down your CPU a little more, and thats the fact that the Realtek sound processors are inferior to almost all dedicated sound card processors of sound cards within the price range of a single retail PC game and up... they're simply weaker and sound flat. I would not pair good speakers with on-board audio... its like HD TVs without HD programming...

If you would permit me to lead you a little in an opposite direction, I'd like to recommend you try quality headphones that cost less than those speakers before making that decision... I personally moved from speakers to headphones permanently for sound quality and because of awkwardly bad room acoustics..

[jmackay]

good deal, but was it not proven that the xtreme music deal was a better buy? Acording to everyone in that thread except for me, the xtreme music was better.
For me the biggest difference was having the regular front panel output so no adapter or front panel needed. No High Pitched noise here. Sending out the rebate Monday.

Well from our discussion, it looks like the Gamer and Music are about the same, and will both work great for gaming needs.

[Rabid Badger]

The ExtremeMusic doesn't have a dedcated processor like the Gamer and other X-Fi's. The music is essentially an upgraded Live 24-bit with a front penel connctor. The Gamer is the better card and better deal by far.

[jmackay]

The ExtremeMusic doesn't have a dedcated processor like the Gamer and other X-Fi's. The music is essentially an upgraded Live 24-bit with a front penel connctor. The Gamer is the better card and better deal by far.

Wrong, wrong wrong.

http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&product=14066&subcategory=208&bypass=1

The Audio is the shit card, the Music is an awesome one and was the best bang/buck which is why they discontinued it.

[Rabid Badger]

Bah, you're right, I got them confused. In that case if you want the best sound get the music. If you want to use your front audio ports
get the Gamer. If you want both you'll have to get the Gamer Fatality.

[Justintoxicated]

Bah, you're right, I got them confused. In that case if you want the best sound get the music. If you want to use your front audio ports
get the Gamer. If you want both you'll have to get the Gamer Fatality.

It's ok I made the same mistake...I'm glad someone corrected me though there is alot of mis information on these cards. I know for sure someone told me it was the music that did not have the processor, I shoul dave done more research but I ran out of time as the rebate was expiring.

[jmackay]

It's ok I made the same mistake...I'm glad someone corrected me though there is alot of mis information on these cards. I know for sure someone told me it was the music that did not have the processor, I shoul dave done more research but I ran out of time as the rebate was expiring.

Yeah its an easy thing to confuse, if I didn't own the Music I would probably do the same thing :D

The problem is the music was a big hit early on in the X-FI life. Creative removed it and added the Audio / Gamer (though I think the gamer came later not right after the music was pulled). So people heard good things about the music, or bad things about the audio and thought they were the same card just people calling it the wrong name. You have to google search for the xtrememusic to find it on creative's site, they usually just have the audio.

[vbrtrmn]

It says Xtreme, but how extreme is it really? Will it kick my butt faster than Chuck Norris?

Sorry, I hate hardware with names like Xtreme.

[Rabid Badger]

It says Xtreme, but how extreme is it really? Will it kick my butt faster than Chuck Norris?

Sorry, I hate hardware with names like Xtreme.

Indeed, that's why I started leaving that part of the name out of my posts.

On another note, I almost bought a Music myself, when my store had them clearanced for $30 (yes, thirty dollars) but I wanted to be able to use my front audio ports, so I passed.

[mucker]

X-Fi + Klipsch Promedia 2.1 = ;)

X-Fi + Logitech Z-5500 = :D

Modded X-Fi + Logitech Z-5500 = :eek:

[buffbiff21]

On another note, I almost bought a Music myself, when my store had them clearanced for $30 (yes, thirty dollars) but I wanted to be able to use my front audio ports, so I passed.

You can still use front panel audio with XtremeMusic. ;)

Given your case has the "frayed" style wires in addition to the grouped AC97 header. like this: (Lian Li have the frayed style, but that's all I can confirm)

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6075/mirageaudiorr0.jpg

If you have that style, plug them into the 10-pin obscure looking header on the X-fi.

Back section of the card, pointing towards the front of the case.

1 - Analog Ground
2 - Analog Headphone Out Left
3 - Audio Backpanel Mute -- short to ground to mute the backpanel (when headphones are plugged in)
4 - Analog Headphone Out Right
5 - same as #3
6 - Mic input from front panel
7 - No Connection
8 - VREF out -- voltage reference for Mic
9 - MIC IN MUTE -- ground when mic isn't plugged in, +12VDC when mic is plugged in
10 - Audio cable detect -- will be ground when headphones are plugged in (not normally used)

Golden PCI-brace, pointing towards back of case


It says Xtreme, but how extreme is it really? Will it kick my butt faster than Chuck Norris?

Sorry, I hate hardware with names like Xtreme.

LOL

I hate it when companies find a way to stick an X in the name, in general. QX6700, X-fi, X-meridian, Raptor-X, 8800GTX. Think of a new cool letter, damnit! :mad: Such as Ω, or λφα.

[dragonslayere]

You can still use front panel audio with XtremeMusic. ;)

Given your case has the "frayed" style wires in addition to the grouped AC97 header. like this: (Lian Li have the frayed style, but that's all I can confirm)

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6075/mirageaudiorr0.jpg

If you have that style, plug them into the 10-pin obscure looking header on the X-fi.

Back section of the card, pointing towards the front of the case.

1 - Analog Ground
2 - Analog Headphone Out Left
3 - Audio Backpanel Mute -- short to ground to mute the backpanel (when headphones are plugged in)
4 - Analog Headphone Out Right
5 - same as #3
6 - Mic input from front panel
7 - No Connection
8 - VREF out -- voltage reference for Mic
9 - MIC IN MUTE -- ground when mic isn't plugged in, +12VDC when mic is plugged in
10 - Audio cable detect -- will be ground when headphones are plugged in (not normally used)

Golden PCI-brace, pointing towards back of case




LOL

I hate it when companies find a way to stick an X in the name, in general. QX6700, X-fi, X-meridian, Raptor-X, 8800GTX. Think of a new cool letter, damnit! :mad: Such as Ω, or λφα.

now how do you go about plug those wires in? the 10-pin header is missing 2 pins

[seemlessthunder]

Follow the diagram, you match up as the diagram shows.

Will front panel work on Audigy Gamer 2 ZS or only on X-Fi??

[Justintoxicated]

This question might be best suited for the audio section but here goes anyway..

I'm looking to pickup a set of Z5500 and using the digital optical output of my IP35 MB to power it. Would this sound card be a better option even without optical or would any sound card make a difference (other than performance drain on the CPU) since I'm using a Digital Output?

Well it will depend how well the optical output is sent from your onboard sound and how it is decoded. The Logitec z5500's will decode the output as they have their own DAC in the receiver.

I'm using the optical from my cable box into the Z5500's it autodetects the appropriate sounce (Stereo, 5.1 etc) and decodes (mode is displayed on the screen). With the X-fi you will want to use the analog ports, this allows the soundcard to do the decoding. I don't know how much of a performance hit you would lose using the optical output, probably not much if any at all since the logitecs's DAC so it is pretty much pass through (Digital to Analog Converter in the z5500 reciever is doing the work).

Which is better? I'm not sure SQ wise depends how good the DAC is on the card vs in the Logitechs. However you will not get EAX5.0 throught the optical, and you might not even get 5.1 (depending on the onboard audio?). I have a Bad ass Realtek on my DFI with Karajan modual. It has both Regular S/PDIF in/out and Optical outputs, and 7.1 in analog etc. I have not had time to play any games yet, so I'm really not even using the capabilities of my X-fi card, I have not nopticed much difference if any. But I DO plan to play some games soon, I just need to find some time and a new graphics card. Been working on other projects.

I am using every single output on the z5500's and even bought some splitters! So NO getting this card is not a waste if you intend to play games.

DVD Player to z5500 - S/PDIF, Cable box to z5500's Optical, Computer to z5500's analog, Disk changer and Zune to z5500's via splitter to stereo input (analog).

Difference in audio quality from running analog vs optical cables will depend more on the DAC you are using than the type of cable. Advantage of optical over regular S/PDIF or analog is that you can achieve longer runs without signal degradation. In this regard, Optical > Reg S/PDIF > Analog. But your not going to notice a difference in a short run of cable and using the analog inputs will alow you to modify the sound on the computer, intead of adjustments on the Logitech z5500's alone.

Hope this helps
-Justintox

[zagon]

Maybe I'm not seeing it but Newegg take the MIR down on their site? I bought this on Sunday and I printed it out but I might have lost the paperwork. Anyone got a link for me?

[jmackay]

Maybe I'm not seeing it but Newegg take the MIR down on their site? I bought this on Sunday and I printed it out but I might have lost the paperwork. Anyone got a link for me?

Check your order on newegg's site, might have a link there, or try asking them on the phone / live chat to send you a copy.

Or if that fails, send the newegg webmaster a pm? (on these boards)