EAX and Windows 7

phantommenace2 · Feb 12, 2010, 04:11 AM

I have an Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 sound card and it comes with 3 preset Modes--Entertainment, Audio Creation and Gaming...I use Audio Creation Mode for everything but I want to know about the Gaming Mode...I know Gaming Mode is the only one that uses EAX 5.0 but what happens if I'm using Vista or Windows 7?...is it true that EAX is disabled completely, rendering that Mode useless for Vista/7 users?

so Gaming Mode serves no purpose at all for me when gaming?...does it improve the audio at all versus Audio Creation Mode?...can I get any EAX sound effects with W7?

since game developers know this have they stopped programming EAX into newer games?...and how is the sound quality using the new audio kernel versus true EAX?

Jac · Feb 12, 2010, 09:59 AM

There is a program called Alchemy that enables EAX effects for some games under Vista/Seven.

Personally I use GAME mode for the CMSS3D headphone mixing (which is awesome). EAX is a technology that is being phased out. All new engines will create effects in software AFAIK.

phantommenace2 · Feb 12, 2010, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jac

There is a program called Alchemy that enables EAX effects for some games under Vista/Seven.

Personally I use GAME mode for the CMSS3D headphone mixing (which is awesome). EAX is a technology that is being phased out. All new engines will create effects in software AFAIK.

Alchemy is pretty much for older games though...will any new games support this?...does Game Mode improve the audio in other ways?...is it still better to use Game Mode when playing games or was EAX the main reason for that Mode?

Jac · Feb 12, 2010, 10:42 AM

Like I said EAX is being phased out. Since Microsoft changed the audio structure in Vista there is less scope for hardware acceleration of audio. I believe they did this so developers could code for all gaming platforms at less cost. Just another example of the PC being held back by the consoles. In theory all these effects could be accomplished in software and have their own thread so a multi-core system could handle them efficiently.

The only reason to switch to game mode for me is for the 3D positional audio over headphones in games

Feb 12, 2010, 04:11 AM	#1
phantommenace2 hexa-core gamer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 266 Rep Power: 52 System Specs	EAX and Windows 7 I have an Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 sound card and it comes with 3 preset Modes--Entertainment, Audio Creation and Gaming...I use Audio Creation Mode for everything but I want to know about the Gaming Mode...I know Gaming Mode is the only one that uses EAX 5.0 but what happens if I'm using Vista or Windows 7?...is it true that EAX is disabled completely, rendering that Mode useless for Vista/7 users? so Gaming Mode serves no purpose at all for me when gaming?...does it improve the audio at all versus Audio Creation Mode?...can I get any EAX sound effects with W7? since game developers know this have they stopped programming EAX into newer games?...and how is the sound quality using the new audio kernel versus true EAX?

Feb 12, 2010, 09:59 AM	#2
Jac HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: England Posts: 760 Rep Power: 51 System Specs	Re: EAX and Windows 7 There is a program called Alchemy that enables EAX effects for some games under Vista/Seven. Personally I use GAME mode for the CMSS3D headphone mixing (which is awesome). EAX is a technology that is being phased out. All new engines will create effects in software AFAIK.

Feb 12, 2010, 10:42 AM	#4
Jac HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: England Posts: 760 Rep Power: 51 System Specs	Re: EAX and Windows 7 Like I said EAX is being phased out. Since Microsoft changed the audio structure in Vista there is less scope for hardware acceleration of audio. I believe they did this so developers could code for all gaming platforms at less cost. Just another example of the PC being held back by the consoles. In theory all these effects could be accomplished in software and have their own thread so a multi-core system could handle them efficiently. The only reason to switch to game mode for me is for the 3D positional audio over headphones in games