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    7.1 Sound Card

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by mortalcombat, Jan 20, 2009.

  1. mortalcombat

    mortalcombat Notebook Consultant

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    I'm planning on getting a laptop from xoticpc.
    I was wondering if the Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi 7.1 Xtreme Audio Notebook Express Card is worth getting for 120$

    Is there an advantage of having it if I do not currently have a 7.1 surround system?
     
    mortalcombat, Jan 20, 2009
    #1
  2. Wishmaker

    Wishmaker BBQ Expert

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    I own that one, maybe the older model, and I can assure you there is a huge difference between it and onboard.

    Downside?

    No ASIO and no HW acceleration :(. Guess it is very small for that kind of circuitry.


    90 % of the time i use it on my senn's headphones. I rarely hook it up to my 5.1.
     
    Wishmaker, Jan 20, 2009
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  3. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    I'm using a soundblaster X-Fi go - that's via USB - for headphones it does the job.

    Think what you want to use it for - if you have a home cinema system, that supports 7.1 get it, if you have one that supports 5.1 get something for 5.1 - if you just want to use headphones - you may get an X-Fi go as well...
     
    DetlevCM, Jan 20, 2009
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  4. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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    PhoenixFx, Jan 20, 2009
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  5. Wishmaker

    Wishmaker BBQ Expert

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    All of them are valid solutions however you suggested the X-Fi one with the wi-fi module. That option is pointless...
     
    Wishmaker, Jan 21, 2009
    #5
  6. Vaio4Life

    Vaio4Life Notebook Consultant

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    I think the audigy 2 zs is 7.1 certified...but its pcmcia so you'd need an express slot adapter. Audigy 2 zs is still the daddy no?
     
    Vaio4Life, Jan 21, 2009
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  7. Wishmaker

    Wishmaker BBQ Expert

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    The Audigy 2 ZS Notebook is THX Certified and it has HW acceleration. I have one of those and it is the real thing. All of them are 7.1 "certified" nowadays. My EX54 one has an optical link that allows me to connect 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1.
     
    Wishmaker, Jan 21, 2009
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  8. Vaio4Life

    Vaio4Life Notebook Consultant

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    Audigy 2 zs also has gold connectors no? so it wins hands down...I want I want!

    Also Re: HW acceleration, does that mean it doesn't eat into your notebook's CPU power and uses its own processing capabilities?
     
    Vaio4Life, Jan 21, 2009
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  9. Wishmaker

    Wishmaker BBQ Expert

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    Exactly. Its not software +cpu sound...its done by the card :).
     
    Wishmaker, Jan 21, 2009
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  10. Vaio4Life

    Vaio4Life Notebook Consultant

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    Right that settles it for me, if only the made it in express card format and I had some spare cash! It's the abosulte daddy of notebook sound cards no competition whatsoever.
     
    Vaio4Life, Jan 21, 2009
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  11. Wishmaker

    Wishmaker BBQ Expert

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    My issue. I have one of those and I was forced to buy the rubbish X-Fis. because it would not fin in my laptop. EX54....CREATIVE??? The new cards sound worse than the old ones....
     
    Wishmaker, Jan 21, 2009
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  12. Vaio4Life

    Vaio4Life Notebook Consultant

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    Yes that is a shame, I think it's possible to get some PCMCIA > Express slot adapters but I don't want to go this route personally (clutters up the place)...oh well...waiting game I guess for me.
     
    Vaio4Life, Jan 21, 2009
    #12