Sound Blaster XiFi Express, Notebook Cooler for 9262

Hi everyone
I just talked with xoticpc and they said I would still have to wait weeks for my sound blaster Xif Express and a notebook cooler that I ve ordered with them. So I come to you for help. What is the best store to buy the Sound Blaster and also what is the best notebook cooler for the 9262?
Thanks in advance
Marek

 

Best coolers that people use are:
- Zalman ZM-NC2000
- NZXT Cryo LX

As for the sound card, the express card X-Fi Extreme Audio is quite good since its like the desktop version and gives you EAX 5 support for new games.

Beware, there are two types:

Good one (recommended)


Under Average one (not recommended)


One is the X-Fi Extreme Audio that fully uses a ExpressCard 54 slot.

One is the X-Fi basic card a ExpressCard 34 format... which still works in a 54 slot.



I recommend to purchase the X-Fi Extreme Audio (ExpressCard 54) from www.creative.com ... the price is actually better than most sites.

 

If you're hooking it up to a surround sound system, remember to get the Surround Sound Upgrade Kit, the card itself would otherwise only support 2.1 through the headphone jack.

http://us.creative.com/products/pro...&campid=20445&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=3862

 

I did it. There was on XiFi Available from amazon.com Creative website has them back ordered and even amazon says they will ship between 1-2 months.
It says Sound Blaster XiFi notebook card. It doesnt say Extreme audio so it might be the regular one but I m not waiting 2 months for the better version.
Thats the link to the one amazon is selling:
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Labs-ExpressCard-Blaster-Notebook/dp/B001BS3A3E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1220903730&sr=8-1

BTW.
Whats wrong with the other XFi. I m not an audiophile so basically I m just looking to get as many fps as possible and reduce couple % from the CPU usage while gaming

 

you will only need the "Surround sound upgrade kit" if you have analog 5.1 or 7.1 system.

the card by itself has SPDIF (optical I believe) to do digital out for 5.1 or 7.1 with one jack to a surround sound system or receiver.

 

Keep in mind that the card does NOT accelerate audio. I tried streaming tracks out of FL Studio at 24/96k and my CPU peaked and the audio lagged bad. The card is crisp and clear, but unless you have speakers or headphones that are higher quality, the standard audio works just as well and supports surround.

 

The Xi Fi regular or the Xi Fi extreme or what ever!? I thought the Xifi had a separate chip dedicated to accelerate audio. I had a old Audigy 2ZS in my desktop and it even did that. Also Gophn mentioned something about the XFi express 34 being somehow worser then the 54 one. Whats the difference between those?

 

having a dedicated Audio card helps the performance slightly by saving CPU cycles from a on-board (software) sound card.... which can add to a few more FPS and better sound quality.

as for the difference of the cards, the capabilities. The larger one can have surround sound support (both SPDIF on one jack, or with optional surround sound anaglog kit)... and a few things more.

In any case, its really hard to even find the smaller one anymore, since Creative seemed to have pulled it from their line of products.

 

I ve canceled the regular xi Fi and ordered the Xtreme one for $78 with shipping and it should get here September 10-12, so that's pretty quick.

So now the only thing left is the notebook cooler. I ve read some reviews on both the zalman and the NZXT. So which one is better. Those 120mm fans on the XT look very nice but which one performs better for the 9262 and which one actually fits the 9262? The Zalman is measured exactly to the M1730 so how does it handle the 9262?

 

I have a Zalman NC2000, it fits perfect on my notebook... which is the same measurements as the D901C (Sager 9262).

I would go for whichever you like more... but keep in mind that a cooler works best if its fans/airflow is lined up with the fans on the bottom of the notebook.

So the Cryo LX might be the way to go for the D901C... since it has the most airflow.

 

I m mad. I ve purchased that X-Fi and the CRYO from buy.com almost 2 weeks ago and today is suppose to be my delivery date and I receive an email from them that the item is not available and that they never send it. ***!??? I was waiting for it the entire time!!! why didt they tell me that before!? ehhh, someone knows a good store where I can buy those two accessories for my 9262 which ofcourse is dead, cause I cant enjoy my laptop like everyone else

 

i hate it when they do that

you could try creative but it even says notify me instead of buy Creative X-fi and just in case you want the docking module look HERE

weve got them available here in the uk if thats any good to you X-fi cardbut the price is a lot dearer.

i just bought the docking module for £32 roughly $64 and its $35 in the usa so if you are really desperate for one then order from the uk

 

I have to admit the NZXT Cryo cooler is great, not as loud as I thought it would be,fans push out a LOT of air,the slots are just about perfectly positioned for the NP-9262, it is a little bulky but almost folds in half if you want to take it on the road, nice rubber grips on the front and side that really grab hold of your laptop and most importantly does a great job cooling.I got mine in black and it goes really well with the 9262.
I got mine at www.Directron.com for $75 with shipping and it came within 5 days.
yeah it's a little pricey but well worth the money IMO, well built,very nice finish and positions the laptop at a nice angle when typing(for me anyways).
The only gripe I have about it (and it's a very minor one) is that there is no on or off button on it you have to pull the USB cord out if you don't want to run it.