Sound card replacement

[Jesbull]

My old Audigy 1 failed last week :-( . Meanwhile I am using Realtek Audio 888 but it isn't as good as my Audigy by far.

I want to replace my sound card:

• My budget is about 100$
• I used my PC sound 50% for gaming and 50% for music or movies.
• Mainly using headphones: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro (studio quality)
• I am running XP on a GB DS3L motherboard with Intel.

These two models appeals to me:
Soundblaster X-FI Titanium at 95$
30SB088200000 PCI EXPRESS SOUND BLASTER X-FI TITANIUM from Onhop Online Computer Store at Onhop.ca

or
Asus XONAR DX at 75$
NCIX.com - Buy ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 Channel PCI-E Sound Card 24BIT Dolby Digital 116DB SNR W/ Low Profile Bracket - XONAR DX In Canada.


After reading many threads, I fear the Soundblaster because of drivers, reliability and support issues and the Xonar for lack of EAX 5.0 real support for games.

What is the best choice?
Thanks,
JES

[lowfat]

I would personally go for the Xonar DX.

[grinder]

you'll be happy with either. Get the one that takes less time to ship.. on-board sound rots your ears dude!!!

[Jake_HT]

No problems here with creative drivers at ALL in vista 64 and XP... It seems that the driver issues are old news... The drivers always worked great in XP.

Also look into Auzentech Xplosion, I think that meets the price range..

And for PCI, Creative X-Fi Xtreme Gamer, will be very similar to the X-Fi Titanium.

[JD]

Xonar will do better in music and movies.

X-Fi would give you EAX5 in games if you use it. I personally haven't noticed any difference since getting my Xonar in games, so I don't find that I need EAX5.

[Jesbull]

Well, I just ordered the Xonar! Thank you for sharing your toughts, this Canucks forum rocks!

I'll keep you posted with my first impression when I will get it next week.

JES

[SugarJ]

You'll love it. I use my headphones much more often since I got my DX.

[Chos3n]

I have the xonar too, really good card. It's crazy how you can hear new sounds in games...

[trayton]

I have an Xonar as well and I noticed a huge difference even been called a wallhacker lol in counter-strike because now I can hear everything so much more crystal clear! Before was always using onboard although a few times did use a Audigy2 but it doesnt compare to my Xonar by far!

[Technokat]

heh, i was gonna say i could sell you my old xfi when i upped to a forte, but oh well too late now