Soundcard/Joystick

[BaldEagl]

Almost getting ready to order my new system (build) and have a question. 

I intend to order a Soundblaster XFi-Gamer and the Saitek ST290 joystick but I'm worried I might not like the JS.  That possibly being the case, I'd like to use my current MS Sidewinder Pro (11 years old and still going strong ) but it's a gameport interface (not included on the new card).  Rather than spend 75% more just to get the SB card with the gameport, could I install a second cheapie sound card just for the JS port and disable the rest of the card?  Is there another alternative?  I've seen Gameport to USB adapters but they don't work with MS Sidewinders (digital).

Thanks

[Getback]

Very good question. My guess is no and here is why. I have never seen a soundcard driver that has a seperate driver for the gameport. Now some techie will probably correct me and I hope I am wrong for your sake and mine. I have a Forcefeedback MS Sidewinder that is very dear to me as well. Maybe send SB an e-mail asking that same question?


I'll watch this post.

Good luck!

[llama]

Agreed with Getback.

Buck it up and buy a new card with a gameport, or go the Ebay route and get an older, cheaper soundcard (such as a soundblaster Audigy LS) for around $10 or less. These cards support true 5.1 surround, and they have well-supported gameports.

There are even hacked drivers that make the gameports on these cards work with Vista.

Honestly, it's the card that I use and it works well.

-Llama

[DrDea]

 If your serious about this game....get a ch fighter stick and CH pro pedals.Ive had mine for over 5 years and the pedals once had to repair a wire that came loose.Support was cool and sent schematics as how to do it.Simple job of reconnecting it.If your a casual player by all means go cheap.But if you want to have serious control spend the bucks.I spent 200$ on the pedals and the stick.5 years and still going strong.
BTW...Ch has USB

[BaldEagl]

I don't want to learn how to be right handed.  I'm not and choices are extremely limited for lefties (low-end Saitek's are about the only option).

[Spikes]

Bald, I'm a lefty and I have my stick on my right hand, throttle on the left...works fine for me. 

[airspro]

I would go with the better soundcard . That way you would be happy with you flightstick .

I know from exp that having the right joystick "one you like" is very important in the end
for having the most fun in game .

I don't think runing two soundcards would work right , as llama and getback stated .

[Ghosth]

Better to find a single card that has both decent sound and a gameport. If the SB XFi gamer costs that much more with a gameport drop back to an Audigy, or Live.

Ohh and when that old stick starts getting iffy, they sell lots of new and lightly used ones on ebay.

[TequilaChaser]

Very good question. My guess is no and here is why. I have never seen a soundcard driver that has a seperate driver for the gameport. Now some techie will probably correct me and I hope I am wrong for your sake and mine. I have a Forcefeedback MS Sidewinder that is very dear to me as well. Maybe send SB an e-mail asking that same question?


I'll watch this post.

Good luck!

I am not a techie by any means, but I do have 2 soundcards in my old PC, one is a soundblaster PCI512 used strictly for the gameport for my CH gear, the other soundcard is by audiophile, used with my/for my digi design pro tools cubase reason ableton Live etc software and my line6 TonePort UX2.....when using the SB pci512 I have sound /audio disabled only using the gameport and use onboard ac97 integrated sound ( the onboard sound is actually better than using the SB pci512 sound )....when I want to use the recording SW & audiophile card ( has bunch of XLR inputs, 1/4" analog inputs, optical stereo (spdf connectors) etc.....) I go in and disable the SB card and also onboard AC97 sound......yes it is a tiny bit of hassle, but it works for me when I want to spend time mixing/messing/recording.....if I miss turning something off or on it is quick to throw up a warning/conflict

YMMV