new soundcard for dell xpsm1530

Hi

I'm looking for a new soundcard, since the onboard sound is .

I'm prefering soundblaster x-fi

 

You need to check out some ExpressCard solutions or USB sound cards, because the internal parts of the notebook cannot be changed.

 

Ok.

I dont have room for a usb card.

What is a express card?

 

bump...........

 

Expresscard is a notebook expansion slot. Right now your remote controller is stored there. If you are interested in Creative X-Fi series, then take a look at the Sound Blaster X-Fi Notebook card. However, remember that both USB and expresscard variations of X-Fi does not have a dedicated audio processor like desktop counterparts. Therefore all the sound processing (EAX, Crystallizer, CMSS 3D) is done on the CPU.

But don't worry, a Core 2 Duo CPU can handle it quite easily. I have a x-fi Go! USB card, it takes about 8% CPU power in Vista Power saver mode and 3% in Performance mode.

 

Hi Phonix

I have

C2D 2.5 GHz
4 gb ram
8600 gt

i use xp pro, run the hdd in perfomance mode in bios, and i use nvidia powermizer to increase battery time.

ok, i just removed my remote, so now i now where it is. thanx.

I now need the best sultion for creative x-fi.

when i install the soundcard, will it pop out of my nosebook? i mean will it annoy me when i use my mice to the right?

 

Your specs are more than enough to handle that card. Windows XP is also supported, so no worries..

Unfortunately the thicker black part (with the X-Fi logo and two LED indicators) will pop out of the notebook.. I haven't seen that card in person, so I cant say how bad it looks. I use the USB version of it ( here is a small review I wrote on it sometime back)

 

Well thanks for letting me now, that saves me from returning it again.

The usb card looks good, my problem is that i have no usb ports available left.

Is there any alternative? any other card, that doesnt pop out?

 

I don’t think so, there are only very few expresscard sound cards out there, besides, the expresscard slot is too narrow to fit a 3.5mm audio jack anyways; so I hardly think there is anything that doesn't pop out.
Buying a USB hub is the only way to add more USB ports to your notebook; but then again buying an expresscard is more compact than buying a hub and a USB card…

 

it.

Yes, my idea was to install a soundcard into the notebook, while still remaining it compact.

regarding the usb card, if i plug it in to the left of the notebook, will it block the other usb port right below it, or will there be room enough for a usb connected mouse, usb cable for connecting mp3,etc.?

 

Notebook sound cards are integrated on to the motherboard, you cant upgrade or replace it.

This is a photo of it, as you can see the space between the bottom edge and the USB connector is only 2mm. Therefore I think you should be able to use the other USB port, but can't guarantee anything, since I only have a M1330 (single port on each side, no stacked USB ports)

 

I'm going to do some quick calculation, i will have the answer ready in a few mintues

 

Ok, i measured, and i found out that the soundblaster usb card should be able to fit.

It seems like, that the soundblaster usb card, is identical to the usb connecter cable that i use when connecting my ipod touch to my pc. the ipod cable has just 2 mm space sticking from the bottom edge, as well.

And since i can use my ipod cable which has the same measurements as the soundblaster usb card, then the soundblaster usb card should fit perfectly.

Is there anything i should know about the soundblaster usb card, before i buy it?

 

and is it the best usb stick there is

 

No, there are much better professional sound cards out there, but they will cost a good deal more than a X-Fi go (can go up to even a couple of hundred dollars..). X-Fi Go doesn’t support 5.1 surround sound either (however it mixes surround sound and has virtual surround sound effects, but the output is stereo only). If you are interested in a consumer level USB 5.1 card then take a look at X-Fi Surround 5.1, or Turtlebeach Audio Advantage SRM. Other than that Asus also makes a Stereo USB sound card called Xonar U1 Audio Station. But I think X-Fi go is better than the Asus (smaller and has a nice set of features).

I purchased X-Fi go! Because I didn’t want a 5.1 card, and it was considerably cheaper than the X-Fi Surround 5.1, also very compact. I couldnt find the other two over here in japan, so they were not really an option for me, but even if I did manage to find them, most probably I'll still end up buying the X-Fi Go! because I like creative effects, applications and trust their drivers more than Turtlebeach or Asus.

 

The 5.1 Sound isn't really neccesary, since i use my harman kardon avr 4500 receiver, my ps3 and my dali speakers for surround.

I can watch movies on my notebook, yes, but it happens rarely. i mainly use it for music and games. I think the x-fi go will do. I prefer it because it is compact.

the cheapest place where i found it in Denmark was 328 kroner ( 61 dollars )

I'm ordering it now, when it arrives, and when i have it installed, i will let you know about my first-hand impression, and how it works after some usage.

 

No response from the shop, perhaps they are not handeling orders between christmas and the new year. We're gonna have to wait a little longer.