Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

[Leopardi]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

Not really. And X-fi is obsolete because there are very few games that support it.

It's not obsolete since the main features (CMSS-3D, Crystalizer etc) aren't tied to game support. And zero games support xonar.

[CaptainMurphy]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

I'm currently rocking on-board audio. Very nice to see DICE are making full use of capabilities they know all platforms rather than relying on EAX or something.

[imported_Xeq]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

And zero games support xonar.

Wow, you really know nothing about the whole audio thing.

[=98=]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

You're both kinda wrong. The Xonar supports on the fly EAX encoding up to a max of EAX 2.0. The X-Fi supports up to EAX 5.0. Both cards will be the same in BC2 since they have not used EAX and hardware mixing and instead gone for software mixing. So, both cards will perform the same.

I personally rule the lot of you with my optical DAC to Little Dot MKIII headphone amp. So, yeah, beat that :p

[Leopardi]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

You're both kinda wrong. The Xonar supports on the fly EAX encoding up to a max of EAX 2.0. The X-Fi supports up to EAX 5.0. Both cards will be the same in BC2 since they have not used EAX and hardware mixing and instead gone for software mixing. So, both cards will perform the same.

I personally rule the lot of you with my optical DAC to Little Dot MKIII headphone amp. So, yeah, beat that :p

Auzentech X-Fi Forte has an integrated headphone and mic amp.

[Unregistered]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

Yes, but it will never beat a dedicated headphone amp and DAC combo. If you want an onboard amp setup, your best bet is the Xonar STX. The only reason I would go X-Fi Prelude or Forte over the Xonar models is EAX. As I said, Xonars are limited to EAX 2.0.

I used to own a Xonar D2 but recently got rid of it for a onboard optical out -> Zero 192/24 DAC -> Little Dot MKIII tube amp -> Sony MDR-XB700's (looking for a better headset soon though!).

All this talk of EAX is soon to be rubbished as support has been dropped. I think for the best quality you want a device that can output DTS or Dolby and a receiver/DAC that can decode it. What it goes to then is your choice!

[Leopardi]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

Yes, but it will never beat a dedicated headphone amp and DAC combo. If you want an onboard amp setup, your best bet is the Xonar STX. The only reason I would go X-Fi Prelude or Forte over the Xonar models is EAX. As I said, Xonars are limited to EAX 2.0.

I used to own a Xonar D2 but recently got rid of it for a onboard optical out -> Zero 192/24 DAC -> Little Dot MKIII tube amp -> Sony MDR-XB700's (looking for a better headset soon though!).

All this talk of EAX is soon to be rubbished as support has been dropped. I think for the best quality you want a device that can output DTS or Dolby and a receiver/DAC that can decode it. What it goes to then is your choice!

Forte is also way cheaper, and Forte's amp beats Xonar's. And there is no CMSS-3D on xonar, which makes playing with headphones a horrible experience compared to CMSS-3D Headphones.

[VoraciousBear]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

I am using Realtek ALC889 onboard audio. This is not just any onboard audio though. It has HD audio, 7.1 surround sound support, and EAX 2.0 support. It kicks ***. If any of you have the same device as me share your experience.

[Leopardi]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

I am using Realtek ALC889 onboard audio. This is not just any onboard audio though. It has HD audio, 7.1 surround sound support, and EAX 2.0 support. It kicks ***. If any of you have the same device as me share your experience.

It has crappy quality components, static noise, mobos integrated audio have had 7.1 support and eax 2 support since the 1990's. And what HD audio? :laugh:Are you referring to how the card is named "HD audio" by the marketing department?

Playing with headphones compared to that piece of crap and a 50€ basic x-fi with CMSS-3D Headphones the difference is like night and day.

[TrooperJac]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

Just to stick my oar in -

I use my XFi extremeMusic which I have had for a good few years now. The 3D audio in BF2142 is really good - almost as good as my 5.1 speaker system, the positional audio really gives a sense of a 360 soundfield. As for DICE dropping hardware audio support, a pointer to the lowest common denominator approach taken by all the major game developers. Personally I think an XFi is as good a card you will ever need in a PC nowadays so the days of audio card progression are pretty much over.

[VoraciousBear]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

Are you saying that you have tried it before and are not satisfied with it?

[Leopardi]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

Are you saying that you have tried it before and are not satisfied with it?

It's 0.5/5 compared to an Auzentech X-Fi Forte.

[McSteviee]

Re: Audio Programmer from Dice Gives Information on Frostbite

..but just how good are your ears? I got mine upgraded last year - got them from a dead elephant, the difference is phenomenal!