Sound card recommendation

[DJS0302]

I recently built my first computer. It was kind of thrilling when I finally
got all the parts together and it actually booted up when I hit the power
switch but I'm not happy with the sound card. I have a Creative Labs
Soundblaster 16 PCI sound card. The card works okay
with the generic Windows XP drivers but the higher functions in the volume
control panel are either missing or grayed out. If I install the drivers
provided by Creative Labs I have access to the advanced audio functions but the
sound on some of my Windows 9X games is distorted for lack of a better word.
If I roll back the drivers to the XP drivers then the distortion disappears but
then so does the access to the advanced audio functions. I'm seriously
thinking about getting a new card. I have a basic speaker setup, two
satellites plus one subwoofer, so I don't need anything that supports 5.1 or
7.1 surround sound or anything like that. The important thing is sound
quality. I just want something that sounds good and works well with all
computer games from Windows 95 games to Windows XP games. Any
recommendations?
Thanks

 

[Phisherman]

I recently built my first computer. It was kind of thrilling when I finally
got all the parts together and it actually booted up when I hit the power
switch but I'm not happy with the sound card. I have a Creative Labs
Soundblaster 16 PCI sound card. The card works okay
with the generic Windows XP drivers but the higher functions in the volume
control panel are either missing or grayed out. If I install the drivers
provided by Creative Labs I have access to the advanced audio functions but the
sound on some of my Windows 9X games is distorted for lack of a better word.
If I roll back the drivers to the XP drivers then the distortion disappears but
then so does the access to the advanced audio functions. I'm seriously
thinking about getting a new card. I have a basic speaker setup, two
satellites plus one subwoofer, so I don't need anything that supports 5.1 or
7.1 surround sound or anything like that. The important thing is sound
quality. I just want something that sounds good and works well with all
computer games from Windows 95 games to Windows XP games. Any
recommendations?
Thanks

Is there a sound circuit on your motherboard? Have you tried that?

 

[Richard Dower]

Only one card to get, well two...trust me, all the "techno nerds" buy Audigy
2 soundcards.

Try this for size:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-162&depa=0

Or if you wanna skimp and save a few bucks, this:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-102-158&depa=0

Personally i would spend the 88 bucks and get the Audigy 2 ZS.

 

[Dave C.]

I recently built my first computer. It was kind of thrilling when I finally
got all the parts together and it actually booted up when I hit the power
switch but I'm not happy with the sound card. I have a Creative Labs
Soundblaster 16 PCI sound card. The card works okay
with the generic Windows XP drivers but the higher functions in the volume
control panel are either missing or grayed out. If I install the drivers
provided by Creative Labs I have access to the advanced audio functions but the
sound on some of my Windows 9X games is distorted for lack of a better word.
If I roll back the drivers to the XP drivers then the distortion disappears but
then so does the access to the advanced audio functions. I'm seriously
thinking about getting a new card. I have a basic speaker setup, two
satellites plus one subwoofer, so I don't need anything that supports 5.1 or
7.1 surround sound or anything like that. The important thing is sound
quality. I just want something that sounds good and works well with all
computer games from Windows 95 games to Windows XP games. Any
recommendations?
Thanks

It's going to be tough to find even a really CHEAP sound card today that
doesn't support 5.1 or more channels of surround sound. BUT, you don't have
to use all channels, unless you want to. I've got a 5.1 sound card with two
speakers (and subwoofer), and it sounds great. So what you need to be
looking for is good value in a high quality card that will support your
games. The windows 95 is going to kill you though. I've looked at several
inexpensive cards that would sound good, and they only have drivers going
back to 98. I'd suggest you pick up a Creative Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 off
of ebay. You can still buy it straight from Creative, but it costs twice as
much as newer 24-bit cards with better sound quality. That's why I suggest
you check ebay, and try not to spend more than $25 on it, including
shipping. But if you go to Creative's web site, you will find drivers for
every OS from 95 to XP. And it will sound great with your games. -Dave

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=&product=50

 

[Stephen]

I recently built my first computer. It was kind of thrilling when I finally
got all the parts together and it actually booted up when I hit the power
switch but I'm not happy with the sound card. I have a Creative Labs
Soundblaster 16 PCI sound card. The card works okay
with the generic Windows XP drivers but the higher functions in the volume
control panel are either missing or grayed out. If I install the drivers
provided by Creative Labs I have access to the advanced audio functions but the
sound on some of my Windows 9X games is distorted for lack of a better word.
If I roll back the drivers to the XP drivers then the distortion disappears but
then so does the access to the advanced audio functions. I'm seriously
thinking about getting a new card. I have a basic speaker setup, two
satellites plus one subwoofer, so I don't need anything that supports 5.1 or
7.1 surround sound or anything like that. The important thing is sound
quality. I just want something that sounds good and works well with all
computer games from Windows 95 games to Windows XP games. Any
recommendations?
Thanks

Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/products/soundcards/santacruz/

Stephen


--

 

[McQualude]

(e-mail address removed) (DJS0302) said:

I just want something that sounds good and works well with all
computer games from Windows 95 games to Windows XP games. Any
recommendations?

VIA, Nvidia or Intel based MB? The SB Live cards have issues with some Via
motherboards, so if you have a VIA based board, buy something other than a
Live card.

 

[R. Asby Dragon]

Turtle Beach Santa Cruz
http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/products/soundcards/santacruz/

"I second that emotion"

The TBSC is the overall best consumer PCI sound card with the least
hassles with any mobo .

(also appears to be "very efficient"; extremely low CPU /system
"drag")

If you have budget issues; go with a Yamaha chipset "cheapie" .
Just be prepared to go thru "driver hell" ....

 

[Louise]

I recently built my first computer. It was kind of thrilling when I finally
got all the parts together and it actually booted up when I hit the power
switch but I'm not happy with the sound card. I have a Creative Labs
Soundblaster 16 PCI sound card. The card works okay
with the generic Windows XP drivers but the higher functions in the volume
control panel are either missing or grayed out. If I install the drivers
provided by Creative Labs I have access to the advanced audio functions but the
sound on some of my Windows 9X games is distorted for lack of a better word.
If I roll back the drivers to the XP drivers then the distortion disappears but
then so does the access to the advanced audio functions. I'm seriously
thinking about getting a new card. I have a basic speaker setup, two
satellites plus one subwoofer, so I don't need anything that supports 5.1 or
7.1 surround sound or anything like that. The important thing is sound
quality. I just want something that sounds good and works well with all
computer games from Windows 95 games to Windows XP games. Any
recommendations?
Thanks

Just in case you were thinking of it, stay away from the M-Audio
Revolution. No sooner did I install it on my new Asus board, than I
started getting BSODs.

The best part was when, after 2 seconds of discussion, M-Audio
vehemently informed me that it was NOT their card, but rather my system
(which had worked flawlessly with the Audigy 2ZS, that was at fault.
And, he then offered to try to help me fix my system!

I informed him I knew the best way to fix my system: remove the M-Audio
board. After that, all was well.

Louise

 

[Larc]

| Just in case you were thinking of it, stay away from the M-Audio
| Revolution. No sooner did I install it on my new Asus board, than I
| started getting BSODs.
|
| The best part was when, after 2 seconds of discussion, M-Audio
| vehemently informed me that it was NOT their card, but rather my system
| (which had worked flawlessly with the Audigy 2ZS, that was at fault.
| And, he then offered to try to help me fix my system!
|
| I informed him I knew the best way to fix my system: remove the M-Audio
| board. After that, all was well.

Wonder if the M-Audio Revolution just doesn't get along with Asus? I
have one in my MSI 865PE and it works perfectly.

I don't think the OP would be interested in the Revolution anyway
since it's definitely not a great gaming card. I'll put it up against
any sound card I've ever heard with music, though.

Larc



§§§ - Change planet to earth to reply by email - §§§

 

[Ed_]

| Just in case you were thinking of it, stay away from the M-Audio
| Revolution. No sooner did I install it on my new Asus board, than I
| started getting BSODs.
|
| The best part was when, after 2 seconds of discussion, M-Audio
| vehemently informed me that it was NOT their card, but rather my system
| (which had worked flawlessly with the Audigy 2ZS, that was at fault.
| And, he then offered to try to help me fix my system!
|
| I informed him I knew the best way to fix my system: remove the M-Audio
| board. After that, all was well.

Wonder if the M-Audio Revolution just doesn't get along with Asus? I
have one in my MSI 865PE and it works perfectly.

I don't think the OP would be interested in the Revolution anyway
since it's definitely not a great gaming card. I'll put it up against
any sound card I've ever heard with music, though.

Larc



§§§ - Change planet to earth to reply by email - §§§

I don't think it is an Asus problem since I have one running in an A7N8X-DX
attached to a set of Logitech Z-2200's and one running on a A7N8X-X board with a
coaxial digital hookup to my Onkyo TX-SR501 receiver. Both run without any
problems and the sound is superb.

Excellent sound quality on all music and the added advantage of DTS decoding on
the Z-2200's for DVD's with DTS. I will have to admit that the onboard
Soundstorm on the Deluxe board isn't too shabby and I will probably move the
Revolution off of that board onto another.

I am not a gamer and I do understand that the Audigy cards are superior for
games but the Revolution is an excellent sound card for music and DVD's and
M-Audio upgrades their drivers on a regular basis.

The only problem I had was disabling the onboard sound on the Deluxe and that
was my own stupidity.

Ed

 

[)-()-(]

I recently built my first computer. It was kind of thrilling when I finally
got all the parts together and it actually booted up when I hit the power
switch but I'm not happy with the sound card. I have a Creative Labs
Soundblaster 16 PCI sound card. The card works okay
with the generic Windows XP drivers but the higher functions in the volume
control panel are either missing or grayed out. If I install the drivers
provided by Creative Labs I have access to the advanced audio functions but the
sound on some of my Windows 9X games is distorted for lack of a better word.
If I roll back the drivers to the XP drivers then the distortion disappears but
then so does the access to the advanced audio functions. I'm seriously
thinking about getting a new card. I have a basic speaker setup, two
satellites plus one subwoofer, so I don't need anything that supports 5.1 or
7.1 surround sound or anything like that. The important thing is sound
quality. I just want something that sounds good and works well with all
computer games from Windows 95 games to Windows XP games. Any
recommendations?
Thanks

http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php?masterid=550567&mode=googlecp