Require advice on upgrade

abc973 · Nov 19, 2004, 03:47 PM

I would like to upgrade my soundcard but I'm unfortunately ignorant of sound hardware. I am currently using a Creative VIBRA 128 running on what I believe to be Sound Blaster 16 Pro drivers.

It has served me well through all my hours of gaming but once in a while a sound in gameplay is cut off by another, crackles can be heard if the volume is too loud, and to my knowledge; newer is better.

I'm assuming a Sound Blaster Live! 24bit would be enough for another 5 - 10 years. I don't have a surround sound setup, but I do have 2 Logitech speakers and a single Logitech bass. I generally use a pair of earphones when the folks are watching tv, but I don't get any bass through them

I'm simply after a cheap but effective upgrade, if one is needed at all.

Looking forward to the release of Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl

Samir · Nov 19, 2004, 06:15 PM

try to find (eBay?) plain good old Audigy (not audigy 2), it'll satisfy your needs... this card is better than Live! 24, even for gaming, and it should be cheap... you'll get hardware EAX, and you'll be able to use modded Audigy2 drivers... 24bits are waste of $ for gaming if you ask me...

good luck!

**dj_stick** · Nov 19, 2004, 09:21 PM

Audigy ES OEM, excellent price, excellent hardware

abc973 · Nov 20, 2004, 02:22 AM

What does ES OEM stand for? The only Audigy card on the Australian Creative site (http://au.creative.com) is the Platinum Ex. Are there other models which do not appear on this site?

I'm definately after EAX but what benefit would modded Audigy2 drivers do for me?

Samir · Nov 20, 2004, 02:38 AM

ES OEM stands for non Platinum card, no Audigy Drive rack & no additional software, driver CD only... Modded Audigy2 drivers would give you higher EAX version (EAX3 & EAX4, but i'm not sure what's latest EAX version supported by default Audigy drivers), various other options, just check this this thread...

stormy13 · Nov 20, 2004, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

Audigy ES OEM, excellent price, excellent hardware

Thatnks for the advice. Was looking to upgrade my SB/Live value, and I can get one of those for less than half of an Audigy 2/2ZS (actully, less than Newegg ($43.00 US) and $41.00 CDN)).

Just one question, do the modded Audigy 2 drivers work on the ES?

**dj_stick** · Nov 21, 2004, 12:00 AM

i would assume so, as the ES contains the 10k2 chip…

stormy13 · Dec 26, 2004, 04:41 AM

A bit of a thread revival, but justed wanted to let dj_stick know that I got the Audigy ES for Chrostmas, and all I can say is wow. The chamnge from the SBLive Value to the ES is incredible. Haven't tried the modded ZS drivers yet, but so for I am thoroughly enjoying the improvement in games and music.

Again, thanks for recommending it.

Nov 19, 2004, 03:47 PM	#1
abc973 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 28 Rep Power: 0	Require advice on upgrade I would like to upgrade my soundcard but I'm unfortunately ignorant of sound hardware. I am currently using a Creative VIBRA 128 running on what I believe to be Sound Blaster 16 Pro drivers. It has served me well through all my hours of gaming but once in a while a sound in gameplay is cut off by another, crackles can be heard if the volume is too loud, and to my knowledge; newer is better. I'm assuming a Sound Blaster Live! 24bit would be enough for another 5 - 10 years. I don't have a surround sound setup, but I do have 2 Logitech speakers and a single Logitech bass. I generally use a pair of earphones when the folks are watching tv, but I don't get any bass through them I'm simply after a cheap but effective upgrade, if one is needed at all. Looking forward to the release of Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl

Nov 19, 2004, 06:15 PM	#2
Samir kX Lover Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 520 Rep Power: 0	try to find (eBay?) plain good old Audigy (not audigy 2), it'll satisfy your needs... this card is better than Live! 24, even for gaming, and it should be cheap... you'll get hardware EAX, and you'll be able to use modded Audigy2 drivers... 24bits are waste of $ for gaming if you ask me... good luck! __________________ MU3NKA 3A HAPO6!

Nov 20, 2004, 02:38 AM	#5
Samir kX Lover Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 520 Rep Power: 0	ES OEM stands for non Platinum card, no Audigy Drive rack & no additional software, driver CD only... Modded Audigy2 drivers would give you higher EAX version (EAX3 & EAX4, but i'm not sure what's latest EAX version supported by default Audigy drivers), various other options, just check this this thread... __________________ MU3NKA 3A HAPO6!

Nov 20, 2004, 02:22 AM	Thread Starter #4
abc973 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 28 Rep Power: 0	What does ES OEM stand for? The only Audigy card on the Australian Creative site (http://au.creative.com) is the Platinum Ex. Are there other models which do not appear on this site? I'm definately after EAX but what benefit would modded Audigy2 drivers do for me?

Dec 26, 2004, 04:41 AM	#8
stormy13 DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Toronto,Ontario Posts: 111 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	A bit of a thread revival, but justed wanted to let dj_stick know that I got the Audigy ES for Chrostmas, and all I can say is wow. The chamnge from the SBLive Value to the ES is incredible. Haven't tried the modded ZS drivers yet, but so for I am thoroughly enjoying the improvement in games and music. Again, thanks for recommending it.