SKULLS_Viper 0 Posted December 17, 2003 I'm thinking about buying a new sound card to replace my Sound Blaster Live! card.I hear that if I get a good sound card it will improve my computers performance, and even increase FPS(I guess a good sound card will take a lot of load of the processor) and sound a lot better.So what sound cards would you recommend?Any where in the $200-$300 range.I'm kind of lookin into stayin with Creative labs brand sound cards.But hey if there is something thats better let me know! How's Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Pro Sound Card?I need something that will take a major load off the AMD Athlon 1.2 Ghz. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tex -USMC- 0 Posted December 17, 2003 If you can find one, I reccomend getting yourself a Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shadow 6 Posted December 17, 2003 I tried finding the Santa Cruz, but no joy So in the meantime I've solved all sound-issues with the Audigy in WinXP with OFP YAAY So, what I'm trying to say is that if you want to have good sound-quality output for a decent price and terrible driver-support. Go Audigy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tex -USMC- 0 Posted December 17, 2003 Yeah. The Audigy is good hardware, but the accompanying software is a nightmare, especially if you don't stay on top of driver updates and whatnot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gollum1 0 Posted December 17, 2003 I'd say, go for the Audigy. No need for Audigy 2 unless you have a hifi system or if you're seriously involved in both creating music and gaming. I have a SB Live! 5.1 myself, and ever since I got Win XP pro, I get lots of miscellaneous sound problems in OFP. OFP is the only game i have problems with, though. I should get an Audigy myself, I should be able to get one for 60 euro. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toadlife 3 Posted December 17, 2003 $200-$300 sounds cards are for professional audio production. A good sound card for general computing/gaming shouldn't cost you much more than 100 bucks. After also owning a SB Live for 3 years, I must say, buy anything not made by creative and you should be OK. In fact, I really should buy a new sound card, so if anyone has an NON-creative solutions to suggest, I'm all ears. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SKULLS_Viper 0 Posted December 17, 2003 I have a Sound Blaster Live!Value sound card.It was good, untill I got Windows XP.Then I started having problems.Mainly sometimes when playing a game, my sound card seems to go and I get this really anoying TV static sound.A cisssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh sound.Its really anoying and stops only when I restart the game. Plus the sounds where alittle wierd.Especially racing games. How about a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum Sound Card?Its priced at $150. And I don't need to do any sound editing.Just a awsome sounding game, and a major load off the 1.2 Ghz processor. Man there are a lot of sound cards.I'm kind of getting confused. So which model should I get?I don't think my local computer store sells Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.But if I find one I'll check into it more.Is it a really good sound card?Will it take a major load off the processor?Are the sounds good(effects and all)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theavonlady 2 Posted December 17, 2003 Man there are a lot of sound cards.I'm kind of getting confused. So which model should I get?I don't think my local computer store sells Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.But if I find one I'll check into it more.Is it a really good sound card?Will it take a major load off the processor?Are the sounds good(effects and all)? The Turtle Beach is an inexpensive, apparently trouble free card. Check online stores and auctions sites to see how cheap you can pick one up. We just got an SB Audigy 2. So far it's been hassle-free, using the latest XP drivers from Creative. From what I've read, it seems that Creative learned their lessons from the SB Live fiascos so many encountered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joltan 0 Posted December 17, 2003 From what I've read, it seems that Creative learned their lessons from the SB Live fiascos so many encountered. Just make sure you're not getting an Audigy LS - I made that error and I'm having ctd & even blue screen problems ever since. And: no updated drivers available at the Creative site. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Supah 0 Posted December 17, 2003 I had never had any problems with my creative Live 5.1 untill i upgraded my motherboard,processor,videocard and memory. Since then the thing has been causing me allot more trouble then its worth. I just dont feel like buying a audigy as i hear they have trouble of their own. Creative with their horrible drivers however seems to have the market pretty much cornered in europe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MASTAKILLA 0 Posted December 17, 2003 i bought 1 month ago an audigy ls and had no problems until now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theavonlady 2 Posted December 17, 2003 We just got an SB Audigy 2. So far it's been hassle-free, using the latest XP drivers from Creative. From what I've read, it seems that Creative learned their lessons from the SB Live fiascos so many encountered. A slight retraction. We found that a Creative program named SBDrvDet in Windows XP startup prevented Norton AV 2004's main Auto-Protect feature from being enabled. We disabled SBDrvDet in Win Startup to resolve the problem and there have been no negative effects so far from disabling SBDrvDet. We also couldn't get rid of Creative's splash screen at Windows startup until we modified a registry entry. Bah! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SKULLS_Viper 0 Posted December 19, 2003 Ok thanks for the info.I'll look into the Audigy, and the turtle beach sound card. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
