Naming of model number CTXXXX vs SBXXXX

kocoman · Nov 19, 2009, 03:23 AM

Can anyone tell me what the first two letters CT or SB stands for?

Max M. · Nov 19, 2009, 03:46 AM

doh! Creative Tech. & Sound Blaster

kocoman · Nov 19, 2009, 07:40 AM

So why the difference? Did they split/merge company? OEM version?

Max M. · Nov 19, 2009, 11:07 AM

I doubt if anyone outside Creative is aware of actual reason.
They just changed the pattern in 2001 (when "SB Live! PLatinum 5.1" came out, the SB0010 is the ID of the "Live! Drive IR").

>Did they split/merge company?

I don't recall any significant merge/split at the time.

>OEM version?

No. The OEM version is usually designited by the non-zero last digit of the ID (the one written in card's eeprom) and/or (remote times) plastic instead of golden connectors.

Tipstaff · Nov 19, 2009, 11:17 AM

From what I recall:

CTXXXX = Retail
SBXXXX, MBXXXX, or no number = OEM.

There's another variant number too that I can't recall (something like VBXXXX), and that too is an OEM card. What's important to know is that not all OEM cards are supported by Creative's own drivers. For instance there are a number of Dell OEM cards that either don't work with Creatives drivers (ones off their site), or take some manual installing to get working.

Max M. · Nov 19, 2009, 11:23 AM

>CTXXXX = Retail
>SBXXXX = OEM

Well, not quite. See above, there is no CT after 2001.
The MBXXXX designates a motherboard integrated sound card.

The VBXXXX (hello from 90's

) were probably the IDs of the so called "Vibra" soundblaster clones (manufactured by 3-rd parties)

edit: ah, in fact the VB**** could actually be used for Creative "Video Blaster" devices (though i did not find any evidence of that - all "Video Blasters" i can find were still CT or SB)

Nov 19, 2009, 03:23 AM	#1
kocoman HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 35	Naming of model number CTXXXX vs SBXXXX Can anyone tell me what the first two letters CT or SB stands for?

Nov 19, 2009, 03:46 AM	#2
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,606 Rep Power: 66	Îòâåò: Naming of model number CTXXXX vs SBXXXX doh! Creative Tech. & Sound Blaster __________________

Nov 19, 2009, 07:40 AM	Thread Starter #3
kocoman HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 15 Rep Power: 35	Re: Naming of model number CTXXXX vs SBXXXX So why the difference? Did they split/merge company? OEM version?

Nov 19, 2009, 11:07 AM	#4
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,606 Rep Power: 66	Îòâåò: Naming of model number CTXXXX vs SBXXXX I doubt if anyone outside Creative is aware of actual reason. They just changed the pattern in 2001 (when "SB Live! PLatinum 5.1" came out, the SB0010 is the ID of the "Live! Drive IR"). >Did they split/merge company? I don't recall any significant merge/split at the time. >OEM version? No. The OEM version is usually designited by the non-zero last digit of the ID (the one written in card's eeprom) and/or (remote times) plastic instead of golden connectors. __________________

Nov 19, 2009, 11:17 AM	#5
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,659 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	Re: Naming of model number CTXXXX vs SBXXXX From what I recall: CTXXXX = Retail SBXXXX, MBXXXX, or no number = OEM. There's another variant number too that I can't recall (something like VBXXXX), and that too is an OEM card. What's important to know is that not all OEM cards are supported by Creative's own drivers. For instance there are a number of Dell OEM cards that either don't work with Creatives drivers (ones off their site), or take some manual installing to get working. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Nov 19, 2009, 11:23 AM	#6
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,606 Rep Power: 66	Îòâåò: Naming of model number CTXXXX vs SBXXXX >CTXXXX = Retail >SBXXXX = OEM Well, not quite. See above, there is no CT after 2001. The MBXXXX designates a motherboard integrated sound card. The VBXXXX (hello from 90's ) were probably the IDs of the so called "Vibra" soundblaster clones (manufactured by 3-rd parties) edit: ah, in fact the VB**** could actually be used for Creative "Video Blaster" devices (though i did not find any evidence of that - all "Video Blasters" i can find were still CT or SB) __________________ Last edited by Max M.; Nov 19, 2009 at 11:32 AM.