OEM Audigy 2 = a ripoff?

Elrik · Oct 25, 2004, 06:20 PM

I suppose it's possible that your card is damaged in some way (or your mobo). You did say you saw some sparks flying once? Is there any way you can test that sound card in another PC? Can you ask your friend with Audigy LS to test your card in his computer? If it works properly then either your mobo is damaged or there's some sort of conflict you're not aware of.

You got all the latest drivers and DirectX installed for all your components? Latest BIOS? Check all cables, clean dust.

Also, what do you mean you took it out of a Dell computer? Your old Dell computer?

Sandok · Oct 25, 2004, 06:33 PM

Well I got all the latest stuff... And I did see sparks but since I've tried the card in every PCI port, I guess the card might be the damaged thing. Anyways, the Dell was the 8300 (a new one) and I'm reusing my 9800 Pro (which can't overclock at all

) and my Sound card... Also had a 875 intel mobo but it didn't stutter in these games (RBR and Far Cry) but stuttered in others like CMR and stuff... I might just buy a ZS and try that

Elrik · Oct 25, 2004, 07:00 PM

Well, if you can, try your sound card in another computer first. Because if it works without problems with hardware acceleration on, you shouldn't waste your money on a new sound card, and look for a problem elsewhere.

Sandok · Oct 25, 2004, 07:17 PM

Very true... Will do so the moment my bro allows me which might be never lol but thx for your help!

Elrik · Oct 25, 2004, 09:02 PM

No problem. Hey, if it turns out that it's your motherboard, look at the bright side -- at least you'll still have your sound card!

You probably know this but whenever handling hardware components, make sure to touch your computer case (metal part of it) to discharge yourself first. Also, make sure that the switch at the back of your PSU (power supply) is off. Then with the PSU switch off, press your computer's power button at the front and hold it for 5 seconds, as it may still contain residual electricity (you'll probably see your "On" light for a split second there). After that, it's fairly safe to work with the insides.

Good luck.

Elrik · Oct 25, 2004, 11:37 PM

Hmm, this may be nothing but look what I found... Here's a guy having a problem in games with hardware acceleration on (he mentioned Far Cry too), except his computer reboots. His card is SBLive! BUT he too said that it was taken from a Dell PC...

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?threadid=111496

Just curious. Have you tried using the drivers for your Audigy2 OEM from Dell's site?

Sandok · Oct 26, 2004, 05:14 PM

Well I am using the Dell CD I got... For the software and drivers in the beginning... Then I use the auto update from Creative. com....

Elrik · Oct 26, 2004, 06:44 PM

Could you list your complete system specs, including any and all USB devices you might have attached (even if it's mouse and keyboard)? Have you updated your motherboard to the latest BIOS from Asus site? Are you overclocking anything at all?

After doing a bit of search on the net, I keep seeing comments that "Creative cards and Asus motherboards don't mix well". On the other hand, a friend is running an Asus P4P800 with Audigy2 OEM and hasn't complained yet.

Sandok · Oct 26, 2004, 07:05 PM

Okay here are my system specs:

CPU: Intel Processor 3 GHZ with HT overclocked to 3.3 GHZ
Mobo: ASUS P4C800E-Deluxe with newest BIOS (1018)
RAM: 2048 DDR400 (got no clue which company)
HD: 200GB IDE Hard Drive (got no clue abt details)
Drives: One CD/DVD Reader and one CD/DVD Writer
Case: Tsunami from Thermaltake
Sound Card: Audigy 2 OEM
3D Card: 9800 Pro OEM 128mb overclocked 389/348
PSU: Thermaltake Silent Power 480 Watts
USB Used: All four for Mouse/USB Thrustmaster Gaming pad/LogitechSteering Wheel Driving Force/Logitech Wingman Joystick/Lexmark X75 Printer
Anything else?

Elrik · Oct 26, 2004, 07:17 PM

Ok, have you checked if you had the same problems with everything at default speeds, in other words non-overclocked? That includes your video card too.

If you're still having same problems, try disabling your CPU's Hyper-Threading feature (page 85 in the manual). Don't ask why yet, humor me, just disable it for now and test if you still have stuttering problems.

Also, get the latest FarCry patch that just came out:

http://www.firingsquad.com/news/news...?searchid=7258

Test it and let me know how it goes.

Also, when you put your Audigy 2 in the last PCI slot, is it no longer sharing an IRQ with anything? Just making sure.

Sandok · Oct 26, 2004, 07:57 PM

Checked at default speeds... No go...

Got rid of HT and well, it still stuttered but not in the same areas as before. Completely different ones...

Audigy 2 is completely alone... No IRQ... And I will install Far Cry again to find out!

Elrik · Oct 26, 2004, 08:17 PM

Well, the reason I wanted you to try it without HT was because I found an old post where someone with Audigy1 and HT processor was having stuttering problems in games, and disabling HT fixed it. Then someone else posted that Creative's drivers (or even hardware) at that time were known to suck horribly with HT processors. So, it was worth a try.

Have you tried hacking your Audigy2 into Audigy2 ZS and installing YouP-PaX's Audigy2 ZS software? You can find out how to do it in several threads on this forum.

Other than that, I'm not sure what else to suggest. Go with your instinct. Test more things if you get more ideas. Bribe your bro to test your card in his puter... Then, if it's your soundcard (or you suspect it is), you can take a risk and get a retail Audigy2 ZS. If it has same problems, you'll know it's not the soundcard but something in your computer. I guess in that case you can return the ZS (or keep it because it's still better than OEM and a nice card) and start figuring out what in your computer could be causing problems.

Is your motherboard still under Asus warranty? Maybe you can RMA it if you find it to be the culprit.

Good luck.

Sandok · Oct 26, 2004, 08:23 PM

I tried hacking but failed... LOL I will try it with my bro. I just bought my mobo a few months ago so I think it's still under ASUS warranty... I'll try and all! Thx a ton dude!

Elrik · Oct 26, 2004, 08:30 PM

No worries. Post an update for us when you finally find a solution.

Sandok · Oct 30, 2004, 06:33 PM

Well, RBR now runs perfectly since the latest patch... Means it's not my hardware messed up right? Anyways, 1 down, 1 to go

The_Neon_Cowboy · Oct 30, 2004, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandok

I need some help to try to understand this... You all know that first of all, a few games stutter like hell in this world... And well I've played with PCI settings and fixed that BUT I've noticed something... In any game I have the game using Hardware Sound and not Software Sound, it will stutter... And I mean ANY game. From Far Cry to Colin Mcrae passing by Need For Speed

And since this Audigy is the one I got from my dell PC, I was wondering, could it be damaged? Cuz my bro on his older Audigy LS runs games better than me... This is seriously starting to annoy me and I can't even enjoy any game on my PC

So ummmm some help or idea?

dells come with 3d party chipsets! same card just different main chip m,ade be some one sometimes not even creative! they are made specail just for dell and thier are made more cheaply!

Sandok · Oct 30, 2004, 07:09 PM

Those evil SOBs..............

Elrik · Oct 30, 2004, 07:19 PM

It could still easily be hardware problem. If only one game is running without problems and the rest don't...

What's the situation with your bro letting you test it? No go? If so, you might as well buy Audigy2 ZS. Then you'll know if it's your sound card or not. You can always give your Audigy2 OEM to your bro later, if it turns out that it's not a sound card issue. Anything you give away to family members isn't wasteful, so you shouldn't feel bad. Or you can try and sell it to your bro if you can.

Actually, if it is your motherboard and not the card, you could end up damaging Audigy2 ZS as well, that is why it would be better to test Audigy2 in your bro's puter first.

Later.

Sandok · Oct 30, 2004, 07:25 PM

Will do but right now, he's garding it like a tiny mad monkey! But I mean, many games are using EAX and max audio settings and the likes and only 2 messed up. RBR demo was fine, 1.01 patch not fine and in the log, they say they fix a audio hardware mixup in patch 1.02. So???

But then the werid thing is that, with Far Cry, same PC stuff EXCEPT the mobo (both were based on the 875PBZ model... Just one dell and not the other) and Far Cry patch 1.1 doesn't work...

Havne't tried 1.3 cuz I just haven't got the fricken time!

Elrik · Oct 30, 2004, 07:29 PM

I thought you said "ANY" game stutters in your original post? If it's only two then, sure, it could be games themselves and your hardware not mixing up well.

Sandok · Oct 30, 2004, 07:43 PM

I said ANY? My bad dude... Right now it's only now with Far Cry and all....

Elrik · Oct 30, 2004, 08:15 PM

Well, sheesh, then the problem isn't as bad as it initially seemed. Try that 1.3 patch. It doesn't take that long to get. It could also be stuttering if you're using too high a graphical setting, and it may stutter where it's stuttering graphically as well (ie low framerate). Try lowering resolution or some eye-candy. FarCry IS a demanding game, even with fast systems.

Sandok · Oct 31, 2004, 08:09 AM

Did all that in farcry... The stuttering purely audio if ever... Installing hte 1.3 patch right now!

**dj_stick** · Oct 31, 2004, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

dells come with 3d party chipsets! same card just different main chip m,ade be some one sometimes not even creative! they are made specail just for dell and thier are made more cheaply!

not exactly true neon, they only did this with their soundblaster live! cards, the other SB cards are genuine

Judas · Oct 31, 2004, 06:32 PM

Dell has also made modifications to the SB LIVE VALUE that comes with some dells.... and i've a DELL SB LIVE 5.1 card that is modified by dell as well...

dell modifies nearly any card they can.... rather anoying to everyone.....

Sandok · Oct 31, 2004, 06:44 PM

Ya well not the best... (dell i mean)... My first 9800 Pro cooked in their PC cuz it had a PLASTIC heat sink (how can they even think of it?!) and my current 9800 pro can barely overclock over 385/345 with the VGA rev 3 cooler... And my sound card isn't the best either! Totally anti dell for gaming PCs!!!

Shike · Nov 6, 2004, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandok

Ya well not the best... (dell i mean)... My first 9800 Pro cooked in their PC cuz it had a PLASTIC heat sink (how can they even think of it?!) and my current 9800 pro can barely overclock over 385/345 with the VGA rev 3 cooler... And my sound card isn't the best either! Totally anti dell for gaming PCs!!!

I still laugh about how they claimed all of their low end PCs had P4 and all the sudden they magically switch to Celeron *insert knowledge of Dell and false advertising*...

Also they driver hacked on a Geforce 4...a friend of mine got a kick out of that one

What happend is this friend of mine's mom bought a brand new Dell with a Geforce 4 MX460 to handle all her son's "gaming needs" a while back when they still sold the G4s...anyway...

He got a 9200, which was accidently a 9000 Pro which made him happy since it could OC some...so he sold off his G4 to another friend of mine....

The other friend installed it in his PC with official Nvidia drivers, and WHA!? It detected as a Geforce 4 MX420!

So, my friend got his money back and the other one tried to convince his mom to sue for false advertising...consider if they saved $20 per card over a million customers and they just saved how much? Yet his mom said "But Dell wouldn't do that, someone would have caught them by now!" yet look only now do they fix the labels from P4 to Celeron, which I had a feeling anyway...

-my little Dell rant

Anyway, tell us how the 1.3 patch works ^_^

Oct 25, 2004, 06:20 PM	#31
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	I suppose it's possible that your card is damaged in some way (or your mobo). You did say you saw some sparks flying once? Is there any way you can test that sound card in another PC? Can you ask your friend with Audigy LS to test your card in his computer? If it works properly then either your mobo is damaged or there's some sort of conflict you're not aware of. You got all the latest drivers and DirectX installed for all your components? Latest BIOS? Check all cables, clean dust. Also, what do you mean you took it out of a Dell computer? Your old Dell computer?

Oct 25, 2004, 06:33 PM	Thread Starter #32
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Well I got all the latest stuff... And I did see sparks but since I've tried the card in every PCI port, I guess the card might be the damaged thing. Anyways, the Dell was the 8300 (a new one) and I'm reusing my 9800 Pro (which can't overclock at all ) and my Sound card... Also had a 875 intel mobo but it didn't stutter in these games (RBR and Far Cry) but stuttered in others like CMR and stuff... I might just buy a ZS and try that

Oct 25, 2004, 07:00 PM	#33
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	Well, if you can, try your sound card in another computer first. Because if it works without problems with hardware acceleration on, you shouldn't waste your money on a new sound card, and look for a problem elsewhere.

Oct 25, 2004, 07:17 PM	Thread Starter #34
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Very true... Will do so the moment my bro allows me which might be never lol but thx for your help!

Oct 25, 2004, 09:02 PM	#35
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	No problem. Hey, if it turns out that it's your motherboard, look at the bright side -- at least you'll still have your sound card! You probably know this but whenever handling hardware components, make sure to touch your computer case (metal part of it) to discharge yourself first. Also, make sure that the switch at the back of your PSU (power supply) is off. Then with the PSU switch off, press your computer's power button at the front and hold it for 5 seconds, as it may still contain residual electricity (you'll probably see your "On" light for a split second there). After that, it's fairly safe to work with the insides. Good luck.

Oct 25, 2004, 11:37 PM	#36
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	Hmm, this may be nothing but look what I found... Here's a guy having a problem in games with hardware acceleration on (he mentioned Far Cry too), except his computer reboots. His card is SBLive! BUT he too said that it was taken from a Dell PC... http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?threadid=111496 Just curious. Have you tried using the drivers for your Audigy2 OEM from Dell's site?

Oct 26, 2004, 05:14 PM	Thread Starter #37
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Well I am using the Dell CD I got... For the software and drivers in the beginning... Then I use the auto update from Creative. com....

Oct 26, 2004, 06:44 PM	#38
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	Could you list your complete system specs, including any and all USB devices you might have attached (even if it's mouse and keyboard)? Have you updated your motherboard to the latest BIOS from Asus site? Are you overclocking anything at all? After doing a bit of search on the net, I keep seeing comments that "Creative cards and Asus motherboards don't mix well". On the other hand, a friend is running an Asus P4P800 with Audigy2 OEM and hasn't complained yet.

Oct 26, 2004, 07:05 PM	Thread Starter #39
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Okay here are my system specs: CPU: Intel Processor 3 GHZ with HT overclocked to 3.3 GHZ Mobo: ASUS P4C800E-Deluxe with newest BIOS (1018) RAM: 2048 DDR400 (got no clue which company) HD: 200GB IDE Hard Drive (got no clue abt details) Drives: One CD/DVD Reader and one CD/DVD Writer Case: Tsunami from Thermaltake Sound Card: Audigy 2 OEM 3D Card: 9800 Pro OEM 128mb overclocked 389/348 PSU: Thermaltake Silent Power 480 Watts USB Used: All four for Mouse/USB Thrustmaster Gaming pad/LogitechSteering Wheel Driving Force/Logitech Wingman Joystick/Lexmark X75 Printer Anything else?

Oct 26, 2004, 07:17 PM	#40
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	Ok, have you checked if you had the same problems with everything at default speeds, in other words non-overclocked? That includes your video card too. If you're still having same problems, try disabling your CPU's Hyper-Threading feature (page 85 in the manual). Don't ask why yet, humor me, just disable it for now and test if you still have stuttering problems. Also, get the latest FarCry patch that just came out: http://www.firingsquad.com/news/news...?searchid=7258 Test it and let me know how it goes. Also, when you put your Audigy 2 in the last PCI slot, is it no longer sharing an IRQ with anything? Just making sure.

Oct 26, 2004, 07:57 PM	Thread Starter #41
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Checked at default speeds... No go... Got rid of HT and well, it still stuttered but not in the same areas as before. Completely different ones... Audigy 2 is completely alone... No IRQ... And I will install Far Cry again to find out!

Oct 26, 2004, 08:17 PM	#42
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	Well, the reason I wanted you to try it without HT was because I found an old post where someone with Audigy1 and HT processor was having stuttering problems in games, and disabling HT fixed it. Then someone else posted that Creative's drivers (or even hardware) at that time were known to suck horribly with HT processors. So, it was worth a try. Have you tried hacking your Audigy2 into Audigy2 ZS and installing YouP-PaX's Audigy2 ZS software? You can find out how to do it in several threads on this forum. Other than that, I'm not sure what else to suggest. Go with your instinct. Test more things if you get more ideas. Bribe your bro to test your card in his puter... Then, if it's your soundcard (or you suspect it is), you can take a risk and get a retail Audigy2 ZS. If it has same problems, you'll know it's not the soundcard but something in your computer. I guess in that case you can return the ZS (or keep it because it's still better than OEM and a nice card) and start figuring out what in your computer could be causing problems. Is your motherboard still under Asus warranty? Maybe you can RMA it if you find it to be the culprit. Good luck.

Oct 26, 2004, 08:23 PM	Thread Starter #43
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	I tried hacking but failed... LOL I will try it with my bro. I just bought my mobo a few months ago so I think it's still under ASUS warranty... I'll try and all! Thx a ton dude!

Oct 26, 2004, 08:30 PM	#44
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	No worries. Post an update for us when you finally find a solution.

Oct 30, 2004, 06:33 PM	Thread Starter #45
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Well, RBR now runs perfectly since the latest patch... Means it's not my hardware messed up right? Anyways, 1 down, 1 to go

Oct 30, 2004, 07:09 PM	Thread Starter #47
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Those evil SOBs..............

Oct 30, 2004, 07:19 PM	#48
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	It could still easily be hardware problem. If only one game is running without problems and the rest don't... What's the situation with your bro letting you test it? No go? If so, you might as well buy Audigy2 ZS. Then you'll know if it's your sound card or not. You can always give your Audigy2 OEM to your bro later, if it turns out that it's not a sound card issue. Anything you give away to family members isn't wasteful, so you shouldn't feel bad. Or you can try and sell it to your bro if you can. Actually, if it is your motherboard and not the card, you could end up damaging Audigy2 ZS as well, that is why it would be better to test Audigy2 in your bro's puter first. Later.

Oct 30, 2004, 07:25 PM	Thread Starter #49
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Will do but right now, he's garding it like a tiny mad monkey! But I mean, many games are using EAX and max audio settings and the likes and only 2 messed up. RBR demo was fine, 1.01 patch not fine and in the log, they say they fix a audio hardware mixup in patch 1.02. So??? But then the werid thing is that, with Far Cry, same PC stuff EXCEPT the mobo (both were based on the 875PBZ model... Just one dell and not the other) and Far Cry patch 1.1 doesn't work... Havne't tried 1.3 cuz I just haven't got the fricken time!

Oct 30, 2004, 07:29 PM	#50
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	I thought you said "ANY" game stutters in your original post? If it's only two then, sure, it could be games themselves and your hardware not mixing up well.

Oct 30, 2004, 07:43 PM	Thread Starter #51
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	I said ANY? My bad dude... Right now it's only now with Far Cry and all....

Oct 30, 2004, 08:15 PM	#52
Elrik DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 38 Rep Power: 0	Well, sheesh, then the problem isn't as bad as it initially seemed. Try that 1.3 patch. It doesn't take that long to get. It could also be stuttering if you're using too high a graphical setting, and it may stutter where it's stuttering graphically as well (ie low framerate). Try lowering resolution or some eye-candy. FarCry IS a demanding game, even with fast systems.

Oct 31, 2004, 08:09 AM	Thread Starter #53
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Did all that in farcry... The stuttering purely audio if ever... Installing hte 1.3 patch right now!

Oct 31, 2004, 06:44 PM	Thread Starter #56
Sandok DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 9,472 Rep Power: 0	Ya well not the best... (dell i mean)... My first 9800 Pro cooked in their PC cuz it had a PLASTIC heat sink (how can they even think of it?!) and my current 9800 pro can barely overclock over 385/345 with the VGA rev 3 cooler... And my sound card isn't the best either! Totally anti dell for gaming PCs!!!