Sound Card

[68Mason]

With all the new sound additions that have been introduced what would be a great sound card to get the most out of AH?  Here is what I am currently running:

Processor: Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: EVGA X58 3X SLI 
System Memory: 6GB DDR3 1333MHz Mushkin
Power Supply: 1000W Corsair HX
Sound Card: Razer Barracuda AC-1

Thanks!

[TilDeath]

I would leave it unless you have monies to burn.

TD

[Chalenge]

I can understand why he is thinking like he is about the Barracuda. It doesnt play nice with all games and has a few conflict issues. Mason the real question is what kind of headache do you want to trade it for?

The cheaper option is to get the HT Omega Striker 7.1 which is a PCI card and has excellent audio but it 'emulates' 3D positions through the CPU instead of processing it through the audio card.

The Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatality Champion (or X-Fi Titanium Fatality Professional) is a PCIe card and it actually processes 3D on the card which saves you CPU overhead but it conflicts with a wider range of devices.

I use both at the same time in Vista but in XP I cant get them to work together as I would like. Primarily I use the HT Omega for microphone input through the Line-in and because I have the X-Fi Champion I can use the speakers and headphones at the same time. Of course I would be better off just using the X-Fi for everything but I dont like the noise it introduces to the mic side (trading one headache for another). The problem I have using both is taking up the extra PCI slot and (as Skuzzy will tell you) it does cause issues with Vista using two sound cards. Primarily the issue I keep seeing with Vista isnt game crashes but Windows Updates and even though I check the downloads everytime I update the system I have to check to see that the audio cards are working right or the X-Fi will pick up a 'stammering' problem. The fix is to reinstall the latest drivers. Also if you end up buying the X-Fi do NOT install drivers off of the CD it comes with but download them direct from Creative and install ONLY the drivers.

The Striker is running about $85/US and the X-Fi between $170/US (Amazon) and $200/US (Newegg).

[68Mason]

When it comes to the Sound Card I have no idea to optimize it.  The problem I am having with this is not being able to use the in-game sound system.  I would like to have all the VOX come through the headset and the environment sounds and sound effects come through the speakers but unsure exactly how to make this happen.  I have talked to some of non-AH gamer friends for assistance in this but they do not know how to configure the Barracuda out (they have Creative cards).

So in essence I was thinking about getting a new card that my friends can help me configure or I just stick with this and keep plugging along. 

The second reason I was thinking about getting a new card is that I can barely hear anyone with the in-game vox but have zero problems with my squad on Ventrilo.  Not sure if this is a specific sound card issue or a game issue.

Thanks for the advice!

[Chalenge]

Okay. The Striker (HT Omega) has a hookup for FrontX audio if your computer case supports that (headphone hookup at the front) but again the Striker is not the best card for 3D positioning. The X-Fi Titanium Champion card includes a front panel of its own and the nice thing about that is the volume knob for headphone or speakers and a level knob for mic input also. Either card can be configured to use speakers and headphones at the same time. The primary difference is the 3D and that really only becomes an issue when you are in tanks. As much as I do not like anything Creative does I do use the X-Fi because when it comes to 3D they really cant be beat.

Be advised though that the cheaper X-Fi cards will not be as good at 3D and may in fact slip into costing more CPU overhead.

[Ghosth]

"The second reason I was thinking about getting a new card is that I can barely hear anyone with the in-game vox but have zero problems with my squad on Ventrilo.  Not sure if this is a specific sound card issue or a game issue."


I'd check your mic levels in game first.

As far as getting vox through headsets and the rest of the sound through speakers, I have no clue if that is even possible. I doubt that it is possible with a single card setup.

I do run a simple splitter so I can do both headset or speakers. Each has a volume control giving me at least some options.

[Chalenge]

Of course its possible. Thats why you have the options now. It even works with onboard sound but I dont know why you would do that to yourself.

What you do is get the sound setup for speakers and then change the vox selection to headset and your in business. With the X-Fi card (and the 5-1/2 front side hardware) you have to go into the Creative setup and make sure it doesnt mute the speakers when you insert the headphone jack and thats it.

With the Striker (HT Omega) you take the FrontX wire from your case and plug it into the sound card and your ready to go.

[68Mason]

Thanks for the info...I will do some more searching to see if I can find more info about the Barracuda sound card before I dive in and get another card. 

[columbus]

i love my audiogy 2 ZS -- 2 cents

[guncrasher]

my old card burn out after "only" 4 years.  bought an xtreme gamer card cant make it work with win7, lots of people are having problems with them,  so be carefull with whatever you get .

semp

[falcon23]

extreme gamer working good for me in win7/64 bit

[RTHolmes]

It even works with onboard sound but I dont know why you would do that to yourself.

works fine with Intel X58 onboard sound

[Chalenge]

I am curious Holmes if you ever play FSX? Onboard sound always mutes the environment when I receive ATC messages on my system with onboard audio alone. In the FSO on Friday I noticed that the new Miles system has something similar. When I merged with P38s and P40s and B26s with 202s and 109s in the same area and all the sounds were playing the gun sounds of my plane were not coming through.

[Charge]

SB X-Fi Titanium or Extreme Gamer, cheap and reliable.

-C+

[RTHolmes]

no FSX for me, and havent run out of sound channels in AH yet that ive noticed.