Sound Blaster X-fi USB or ExpressCard ?

I want better sound for my Logitech 5.1 5500 surround . I'm mostly concerned with sound quality of music but I also do some gaming it is also a factor. So which one is the best way to go performance wise ? here are my computer specs

Toshiba Satellite X205-S9800
Core 2 Duo Processor T5550 @ 1.83 Ghz
4 gb RAM (Vista only shows like 3 of it though)
NVIDIA GeForce 8700M GT 512mb GDDR2 + 255MB dynamically shared
250 GB sata harddrive 5400rpm
expresscard slot and a ton of usb ports

 

Apparently the 5.1 USB makes the processor work overtime even when idle so go for the Expresscard.

I'm thinking of getting the Expresscard myself, although I'm waiting to see if a good deal comes with a set of speakers bundled together.

 

yeah thats what I'be been thinking, wasn't sure since it seems the usb version seems more "capable" but I would think expresscard would perform better as far as speed and all that go.

 

Yes, definitely go with the ExpressCard.

 

sounds like a plan, any other options I should know about?

 

Options... lol what options ? Sound Blaster X-Fi ExpressCard is teh King!

 

If the search function is working, try running searches on expresscard sound cards. There are other alternatives besides the Creative product since that particular card does not support hardware acceleration.

 

i have this sound card and it awesome.

just to remind if you what to run at full 5.1 config you must buy the docking station separately for the sound card and that will cost you 25$ more.

 

What does that mean ?

 

All of the fancy sound effects from the expresscard are not hardware accelerated like their desktop equivalents, rather the card relies on complex software algorithms to improve the sound output. From what I've read on the hardware forums and other threads the expresscard is not a bad card to have but it isn't perfect precisely because it lacks the hardware support that its older PCMCIA predecessor Audigy card possessed.

In addition the official drivers from Creative were and probably still are trash, good sound output apparently is guaranteed with the unofficial drivers put out by other users.

 

If it only uses software algorithms, then why does it sell as a physical SOUND CARD ? Why not as a piece of software ?

 

The additional connectivity options I guess. It's not as if software-'accelerated' sound cards are a new thing, most cheaper PCI sound cards are software, and even Creative's own X-Fi XtremeAudio.

 

hmmm....interesting

 

OP: Read this thread for a better explanation on why Creative expresscard sound cards have problems with hardware processing.

 

thanks for the help, I'm just trying to figure out if getting usb with more options or expresscard with the dock is a better choice.

 

bumpage.....................

 

It doesnt actually have the X-fi chip inside if i remember. It still uses the CPU to do the audio processing.

I dunno i could be wrong, look in to it deeper

 

do you think there's x-fi chip in Xmod? because I am about to dump it to trash can.

 

Tell you what, I have both the USB and the Express card versions of the Creative cards.
The USB is an 8/10 and the xi-fi is a 9/10...

 

Where can this docking station called and where can it be purchased?

 

@Eleron: Do you mean Xmod when you say USB?

 

Just confirming the godliness that is the express card. I just recently got it working and it is 100% worth it, imo.

 

The expresscard slot doesn't have line-in.

Soo...

The only real good option for laptop users who want good recording quality seems to be the USB one, but the processor usage sucks.

Whole thing sucks.

 

If you want good recording quality, you shouldn't be purchasing the USB Sound Blaster, unless you are extremely experienced with conversion/manipulation. (Or are using a cheap program)

 

you can get the docking station from the creative site. I ordered the x-fi usb sound card, I'll let you guys know what I think of it. anyone one think its gonna affect framerate that much?

 

Problem is that I can't get audio running through my PC speakers when the ExpressCard is installed. Only through headphones attached to the X-fi. Additionally, the sound on the X-fi is CRANKED to the max. Even at its lowest volume setting, it is still VERY LOUD.

 

has anyone successfully used any of the modded x fi drivers out there? i cant seem to find any for the express version.

btw usb xfi does have the convienience of having the proper jacks actually included on the damn card unlike the express version. another 30 bucks plus shipping i have to shell out just to get 5.1. i cant find these docking modules anywhere else. after this and driver support, i see why people dislike creative nowadays.

 

don't forget that there is no hardware acceleration for x-fi express in vista.

 

btw irata, are you looking for something like this?

 

Doesn't this make my built-in audio better than the X-fi...?

it goes beyond 96kHz. For music that would make it better; right? For gaming though is another story.

 

is that compatible with the xfi xtreme audio notebook? it looks like it does, where is that from?

what i want is: http://uk.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=16779

 

No, the Creative 24 bit Live! one. I`ll post pics soon, side by side of the thingies.

Yup,and it still sounds awesome in Vista, how about that?

 

So nobody can explain what I'm asking? xD

 

that cable came with my audigy 2 ZS. plugs are the same.

 

Here's how they look.
I don`t have the XMod, otherwise I would`ve taken pics of that too.

 

Does that mean there is for XP?

Also I read in a review that the old surround sound module from the PCMCIA Audigy 2 ZS NB does not fit the X-Fi Express.

 

of course not, they want you to spend another 40 bucks on something they should have included in the first place top of the 70 for the card just so you can get 5.1 sound. the more i think about this the more is peeves me. sorry for the rant.

btw nirvana, there is modded drivers for the audigy that enables xfi for youre card plus more features. they are the daniel_k drivers.

 

Some research for gamers:

For gamers the X-FI Xpress card from creative DOES add EAX 4.0 effects, like the Audigy card. (A normal laptop sound card only has EAX 2.0)

But until now no product for laptops offers X-FI's EAX 5.0, (True 3D sound in normal headphones, and the "ultra-high" setting in BF2).


Sound Blaster 24bit Live! = EAX 2.0
On-board sound = EAX 2.0
Sound Blaster Audigy = EAX4.0
X-FI Express card for Laptops = EAX 4.0
X-FI extreme gamer for desktops = EAX 5.0


EAX 2.0 = some reverb effects (difference in the sounds player hears in big room/small room/inside/outside) plus some 3D positioning in headphones.

EAX 4.0 = Improved reverb effects (difference in reverb for sounds that other players make)

EAX 5.0 = Full 3D positioning. (You can hear in normal stereo headphones exactly which angle a sound comes from)


Is this correct?

 

Daniel_K has been threatened with legal action and has been forced to remove and stop work on his drivers. Not sure if anyone else is still mirroring them.

 

they are readily available, along with PAX drivers and other clones. Creative allowed him to post SOME drivers, but not all. theres quite a story out there about this.

 

5.1 surround usb is good enough for me except that stereo xpand doesn't work on front two speakers. It has all features like notebook one but usb U might need sound card on desktop if that audio fails or you can't use notebook anymore.
P.S. ask me about 5.1 usb if u have question about something (i hope i can be helpful)

 

as far as USB goes I wasnt talking about the audiology usb card I was talking about the x-fi usb card, but I already ordered it so hopefully it rocks my socks
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=17751

 

I have one for the express card i have ordered. I bought it straight from Creative online as Alienware do not supply this part. I guess because the card can output 5.1 through thr ports if your equipment can recieve them.

I am using the Razer baracuda headphondes which have CRA jacks for front, back, Side and bass so i needed the ports seperated.... hence this module. It's good quality and not plasticy... well, that's my opinion anyway (",)

I paid £32 (i'm from the UK) but online you select your country so...

Just my 2p

OB

 

Nirvana, a lil offtopic question; do you use an amp to supply more power into your Triple-fi earphones as you use your sound card? Cause that could improve your sound quality, cause I heard these higher-spec in-ear phones are actually expected to be run through an amp for supplying more power to the gadget.

 

I don't have triple-fi. I got super.fi 5 pro and B&O A8. and no, i don't think you need amp for triple.fi bc it's only 32 ohms. and I am getting ~ $200 soundcard, it should has enough output.

 

Aah...icic, too much to read on the net that I confuse myself; why did I find so much people using an amp on the triples though ;;. Time for a jog; lol.

and....$200 sound card?

 

::UPDATE:: I now have the Sound Blaster X-fi Surround USB... I have one complaint, it seems to LAG when watching movies. The only thing I can think of is maybe usb is not fast enough, so I wouldn't reccomend it for gaming. Any one else have the same problem? I will be fair and say that I have not been able to download any updates for it, so perhaps that could solve the issue? It came with a default setting of "high speed" usb, I switched it to "full speed" as soon as I finished installing it. One would thing full speed is faster than high speed. I'll try high speed when I get off of work.

 

any ideas about the lag issue???

 

Doesn't the USB use the CPU? I'd think that would cause the lag.

 

Both use the CPU about the same amount AFAIK. Just one goes through the USB bus and the other through ExpressCard bus which I believe is five times faster than USB 2.0. Not sure how / if this would make a temp difference tho, but I think it would minimize USB heat wear.