Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

[socalcaz]

I have an Epox motherboard with onboard sound. I have been using my ~5 year old Creative Live! Value card for sound. Would it be worth upgrading to this sound card?

Audigy2 ZS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102162

Any other suggestions welcome. Looking to stay in the <$100 range.

What do you suggest for a headset that would keep up with this card?

Thank you.

[Kwyjibo]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

Upgrading to that card should make a huge difference for you. If you generally play with headphones like me, you will get the advantage of virtural 3D surround, which really helps when trying to find out where you are getting shot at from.

I used to have the Audigy 2 ZS, which was a great card, and just recently upgraded to the X-Fi Xtreme Music card. The sound is quite a bit better over the ZS for games and music sounds much better if you listen to alot of MP3s on your computer. It's generally around $115-130 though, so if your looking for something a little lower the Audigy 2 ZS is a good bet.

X-Fi if you are interested...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102188

As far as a headset, I have a Sennheiser PC 155 Headset, which works great with both cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826106381

You can find that headset for quite a bit cheaper than that, but I havent been able to find any links right now. I believe they also make a few lower end models.

[socalcaz]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

Thanks Kwyjibo! I don't use my computer to listen to MP3s strictly gaming and apps. I use my headphones primarily, and right now I am using $10 Radio Shack headset...I know...sad.

[NoSoup4You]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

I would say go for the X-fi if you can afford it. I jumped from the Audigy2 ZS to an X-fi card and I can tell a huge difference, but I have high quality speakers as well so.

[Papi4baby]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

Go Xfi, and for headsets im looking for some myself, i want this set

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826106070

[sackynut]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

for headsets get a pair of Plantronics Audio90's. They may be priced cheap but they are AWESOME! Me and all my friends bought them, its 3d sound and when Im capturing a flag, I can hear the footsteps of an enemy approaching perfectly. Audio90's is a great headset and will save you some money too. If your rich, then get the USB digitally enhanced gaming headset from plantronics! And if your even richer! get the triport headphones from bose!

[PredatorHunter]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

I have and recommend the Plantronics Audio 90's for a headset, and I just got my X-Fi Platinum which is awsome, this headset sounds great with the X-Fi..

[sackynut]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

Im looking to upgrade sound card too, so... How is the x-fi different from the Audigy2 ZS?

[socalcaz]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

Thanks guys! I am going to give the Plantronics GAMECOMPRO1 a try.

EDIT: Actually, Talus recommended not to get a USB headset.

[rumple9]

Re: Need help with soundcard and headset upgrade.

definately yes - the audigy 2 zs rocks - and as for headphones get the medusa 5.1 surround set with amp (not usb !!!) - you can often pick em up quite cheap on ebay.

when I got my medusas and heard artillery for the first time I actually ducked !