Biggles604
Weaksauce
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2004
- Messages
- 80
My system setup currently consists of a full tower in my basement that is hooked up to a Logitech 5.1 speaker system, then I have the whole system wired (USB, video, audio) through a wall conduit to my living room where I have a Dolby/DTS receiver. What I am currently doing, is running L/R audio to the receiver (which is currently configured 2.1).
What I would like to do is run an SPDIF (Coax or optical) so I don't have to keep switching audio modes from 5.1 to 2.1 whenever I want to use the computer upstairs.
Currently I have an original Audigy and the AC97 onboard. The Audigy will not output digital and analog at the same time, and the AC97 sounds like crap.
What are the best options for sound cards, given that I do play a lot of games? Full EAX is desirable, but not an absolute dealbreaker.
So far, I've found:
HT Omega Striker 7.1 has all the features, but only EAX2.0
Creative X-FI PCI-E has a very attractive price, but only Toslink out (which is fine), but I am unsure of whether it will simultaneously playback analogue and digital.
The Azuntech X-Fi seems to offer all I want, but is really pricey.
The Azuntech's little brother seems to be good for HTPC, but the lack of EAX is a bit of a dealbreaker.
Am I weighting EAX too heavily? For me, it makes a great difference while playing games, but I'm basing that on my Audigy vs. AC97 5.1 on my P5B.
What I would like to do is run an SPDIF (Coax or optical) so I don't have to keep switching audio modes from 5.1 to 2.1 whenever I want to use the computer upstairs.
Currently I have an original Audigy and the AC97 onboard. The Audigy will not output digital and analog at the same time, and the AC97 sounds like crap.
What are the best options for sound cards, given that I do play a lot of games? Full EAX is desirable, but not an absolute dealbreaker.
So far, I've found:
HT Omega Striker 7.1 has all the features, but only EAX2.0
Creative X-FI PCI-E has a very attractive price, but only Toslink out (which is fine), but I am unsure of whether it will simultaneously playback analogue and digital.
The Azuntech X-Fi seems to offer all I want, but is really pricey.
The Azuntech's little brother seems to be good for HTPC, but the lack of EAX is a bit of a dealbreaker.
Am I weighting EAX too heavily? For me, it makes a great difference while playing games, but I'm basing that on my Audigy vs. AC97 5.1 on my P5B.