buying this today

[Sniper1432]

your thoughts?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Creative-Labs-Sound-Blaster-X-Fi-Gamer-Sound-Card-SB073A/sem/rpsm/oid/161717/catOid/-13040/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

[=98=]

Re: buying this today

Fix the link and get an XtremeMusic?

tbh, i don't know the differences between a XtremeGamer and XtremeMusic, although i heard the latter is better (although its a full height PCB). Anyone know if there are actually any differences.

Also, you might want to check the ebay for better prices?

[Stormy{CAN}]

Re: buying this today

Fix the link and get an XtremeMusic?

tbh, i don't know the differences between a XtremeGamer and XtremeMusic, although i heard the latter is better (although its a full height PCB). Anyone know if there are actually any differences.

Other than the connectors on the back-plate and the card itself, the only real difference between the Music and the Gamer is hardware Dolby/DTS. On the Gamer both are done in software (PowerDVD, etc), which if/when you move to Vista doesn't matter as MS has made it so that neither of those can be done in hardware anyway.

[Sniper1432]

Re: buying this today

Also, you might want to check the ebay for better prices?

nah I don't feel like waiting, do you think I'll notice a huge sound quality boost from onboard to this?

[=98=]

Re: buying this today

um, i moved from a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS to a XtremeMusic. Straight out of the box, you will notice no difference.

What really sets it apart from other sound processors is the "crystalliser" effect. This makes music more dynamic and crisp, and makes low quality mp3's sound much better. Also the virtual surround sound is dreamy. It makes the music in headphones seem much more encompassing.

The only annoying part is that you have to change the mode when going from a music player to a game. The card features three settings; Game mode, Entertainment Mode, Music Creation mode. Obviously, to play BF2 at ultra sound level, it must be on Game mode, however, for music, the entertainment mode sounds better. This annoyance can be overcome with the clever (although, slightly buggy) program called the "x-Fi Mode Changer" found here.#

It allows you to create application profiles. Mine is shown below. The only thing is, don't start it up in game mode with BF2, alt tab out and start WMP which tried to change it to Entertainment mode. This makes a mess of things.

[Sniper1432]

Re: buying this today

im talking about sound quality in BF2, will I see a difference?

[=98=]

Re: buying this today

Unless you have killer cans, then probably not, no.

[Minicoop503]

Re: buying this today

um, i moved from a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS to a XtremeMusic. Straight out of the box, you will notice no difference.

What really sets it apart from other sound processors is the "crystalliser" effect. This makes music more dynamic and crisp, and makes low quality mp3's sound much better. Also the virtual surround sound is dreamy. It makes the music in headphones seem much more encompassing.

The only annoying part is that you have to change the mode when going from a music player to a game. The card features three settings; Game mode, Entertainment Mode, Music Creation mode. Obviously, to play BF2 at ultra sound level, it must be on Game mode, however, for music, the entertainment mode sounds better. This annoyance can be overcome with the clever (although, slightly buggy) program called the "x-Fi Mode Changer" found here.#

It allows you to create application profiles. Mine is shown below. The only thing is, don't start it up in game mode with BF2, alt tab out and start WMP which tried to change it to Entertainment mode. This makes a mess of things.

Yeah, i agree. The mode changing thing can get a little annoying, but I haven't tried that program yet. I've just gotten used to changing it before playing. As for sound quality, the crystalizer is a nice feature, and does make the music sound nicer. You can also tweak the equalizer and bass boost and other things to make it sound better. I did notice a difference coming off of onboard sound.

As for the price, have you looked at other stores like compusa? I got mine from there when it was on sale for 60 bucks. Look at bestbuy too.

[megawhompertoo]

Re: buying this today

re: the question above about the difference between xtrememusic and xtremegamer, no big differences among all the x-fi cards except the xtreme audio, which is an SB Live! respin and NOT an x-fi card at all, and the fata1ity card which has some very expensive ram that programmers don't really know what to do with.

oh, and xtrememusic has been discontinued, although it probably it is a more feature-rich card.is a slightly better card. pick it up if you can find it cheap; i got mine on ebay for $45 plus shipping.

[TheButler208]

Re: buying this today

um, i moved from a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS to a XtremeMusic. Straight out of the box, you will notice no difference.

What really sets it apart from other sound processors is the "crystalliser" effect. This makes music more dynamic and crisp, and makes low quality mp3's sound much better. Also the virtual surround sound is dreamy. It makes the music in headphones seem much more encompassing.

The only annoying part is that you have to change the mode when going from a music player to a game. The card features three settings; Game mode, Entertainment Mode, Music Creation mode. Obviously, to play BF2 at ultra sound level, it must be on Game mode, however, for music, the entertainment mode sounds better. This annoyance can be overcome with the clever (although, slightly buggy) program called the "x-Fi Mode Changer" found here.#

It allows you to create application profiles. Mine is shown below. The only thing is, don't start it up in game mode with BF2, alt tab out and start WMP which tried to change it to Entertainment mode. This makes a mess of things.

LOL i Have the zune theme as well.

BTW, that card should be great, depends on what your comming from though. Circuit City customer service sucks ROYALLY though. It takes like 4 circuit city people to help 1 customer.