Sound Cards

[spitzaf]

I just realized that I need to buy a new sound card for my computer i'm building cuz my old one was integrated. I don't need top of the line. I only have 2 speakers, i listen to a lot of mp3's, and the only games i play on the computer are of the Command & Conquer genre. Now, i looked on bestbuy.com and found three reasonable ones for me:
Sound Blaster 16 SB4740 - no digital out, 128 voices, 4 speakers, great software bundle; $40
Philips Rhytmic Edge 3D PSC702 - yes digital out, voices: 64 3D voices, 128 DirectSound voices, 576 wavetable voices, 2 speakers, good software bundle; $30 before $10 rebate
Philips Seismic Edge 4-channel PSC704 - no digital out, voices: 64 3D voices, 128 DirectSound voices, 576 wavetable voices, 4 speakers, decent software; $40
Philips Acoustic Edge 5.1 channel PSC706 - no digital out, voices: 96 distinct 3D voices, 256 DirectSound voices, 576 wavetable voices, 6 speakers, no software beside installation; $79.50 before $20 rebate

What do you guys think? I don't want to spend much, so the first and list are less important to me, but i'm open to everyone's opinion. Thanks


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Celeron II 633 MHz
Intel 82810 chipset
15 GB 5400rpm HDD
128 MB SDRAM

NEW!!:
Athlon Thunderbird 1.4 GHz w/266 FSB
Thermaltake Volcano 5 HSF
Shuttle AK31 (VIA KT266A)
256 MB PC2100 DDR
INNO3D GeForce2 MX 400 64 MB SDRAM AGP

[diurnal]

I think any of them would do over the onboard, sound blaster is the best in my book though. But i found the software packages have been useless to me, but if your in to music and recording then some of the packages my be helpful.

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Sledgehammer will save the day!

[iisbob]

Until the Audigy series was put out i'd have told you to go with Turtle Beach-cheaper than soundblaster and better quality, now however i'd advise you to go with either a soundblaster 512, or a at least a 128-better driver support and not all that expensive. ($40-50 here in the US ).

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iisbob
"Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It's not fair that some men should be happier than others."
-- Oscar Wilde

[BigBlue66]

Hey,

My son has the Philips Seismic Edge soundcard. It has very decent sound and it comes with a jukebox player called Siren, I think, that the graphic equalizer even works with audio CDs. You don't find that very often in a jukebox type player without paying for it.

Soundblaster is my first choice, but the Philips looks to be one of the cheaper ones that you've found.

I am currently running the Soundblaster PCI512. It has environmental audio, support for many different games and four speaker support. It's a very decent card. It makes my Microworks Soundworks speakers really sing.

If you want the Soundblaster quality and reputation, but don't need a lot of bells and whistles, then the PCI 16bit is a good bargain with decent quality. It usually goes for $30-$40.

Happy shopping!

Big Blue 66


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Life = Karma, or is it, Karma = Life?

[This message has been edited by BigBlue66 (edited 11-11-2001).]

[honourableprawn]

Hey,

I've just gone for the Videologic Sonic Fury PCI, it's excellent for the money at about £50 for the OEM version. I play a lot of MP3's and loads of Games, and I've not heard of anything better for the money.
Of course you could go for all singing all dancing cards, but for what you need, try it.

Good luck

[Vic 970]

Hi diurnal,
I have just put a SoundBlaster Live into mine, I'm surpised that the volume is less than the original onboard sound, I've done all the checks. Did you find anything with yours.?

Note: I loaded all the software that came with it, but not had time to try any of it properly yet (some is pretty crap & some good, but will take time to understand) I am hoping to record eventually.

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for every question there's an answer. Then a load more questions.

Regards..,
Vic.

[diurnal]

NO hadnt had problems with mine. But one good program they put in the creative software is Cakewalk( a recording software, for a band to make music and what not), however sometimes it not in the package. But what mobo are you running cause some will not mesh with the creative cards.

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Sledgehammer will save the day!

[Vic 970]

Didn't get Cakewalk with it, but I had before I got the card, good prog but I thought I would do better with the SoundBlaster than the onboard sound which was very stuttery.
As I said I have only just put SB in & starting to explore the software. I intend to use the Cakewalk eventually but am looking at the others to see if there is any worth using as well.

m/b is ECS K7VZA

CPU AMD duron 750

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for every question there's an answer. Then a load more questions.

Regards..,
Vic.