Hardware Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2007/07/01/creative_x-fi_xtremegamer/1

The Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer is a recent addition to the very popular X-Fi family, but for its very affordable price, is it worthy of investment if you're an "xtreme" gamer?

 

How can the fact that the X-Fi sounds better on HL2 be put down to EAX when HL2 doesn't support EAX or any sound accel?

 

Sorry, badly worded by myself. :S I meant in general, but it read straight on from the last sentence.

It still sounds better on the X-Fi, I don't know what it does but it just feels more accurate.

 

Great review but was wondering do you know if this is Compatible with 5.1 Digital Speakers, you do mention something about a Digital out but needs a toshlink adapter never heard of this before so might be very interested if this is Full 5.1 Digital now..

Thanks..

 

Nice and very informative review there Rich.

Will there be any reviews of the Xtreme Audio card (£30 or so)?

 

The PCI-Express one with no X-Fi processor? Possibly, we can ask.

Chronic: The toslink cables have a square plug, but you need a square to 3.5mm "pointy" adapter. You can buy them from some electronics or A/V shops as well, you don't have to go to Creative. The S/PDIF out supports the same modes as standard analogue out afaik, I've not got digital speakers nor the adapter unfortunately I've been meaning to get round to asking someone for a proper amp but we don't do that many soundcard reviews.

 

Bought one myself just recently, gotta agree with that statement, it seems all games I play have a big boost in sound quality even if none of the sound settings have changed

There's an OEM version going for 75$ at Newegg btw


Although, when I installed my X-Fi drivers, I didn't get the control panel and all.. odd.

 

*Phew* As long as I'm not going nuts about the sound It's hard to explain something that's just "better".

Newegg link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006R

Control Panel: In XP!? I installed it, then it auto-updated and everything was there

 

I guess I'll try installing from CD instead of downloading them

 

I like the look of the card and what it has to offer but the software looks far to bloated. My Current Audigy has nothing but the drivers & small control panel. Thats what i want with the X-Fi.

 

When installing the drivers you can choose all the different software components you want to add/remove, there's a lot, so you have the choice on what to add/remove
Though honestly, it may seem bloated, but it's had no effect on my boot/load times

Edit: My only complaint bout this card is that it's bringing out the cheapness of my speakers

 

I always wondered why they put those environment effects on, they work well and sound convincing but who wants to listen to music in a sewer pipe?

 

Or a cathedral hall? Or inside a trash can? Or through a vocoder?

 

toshlink=toslink?
are they the same thing, or is one a new version of the other? or maybe a Creative thing?

 

"toshlink=toslink?"

exactly what i was wondering!

 

Nah it's they hyperbolic equivalent

 

Yes, it's Toslink

It's designer was Toshiba, so the association is in my brain

Wiki is awesome: It's a mini-Toslink jack uses a TRS connector

 

Arg I was all ready to abandon creative sound cards when it came time for a new one, but this sounds nice to the point that I might have to pick one up whenever I do my Vista+DX10 upgrade.

 

Did they ever get the linux drivers sorted? I've still get an Xfi collecting dust in my case because of a lack of driver support

 

Speakers are analogue.
A "digital" speaker is an active speaker (one with its own amplifier) that has a dac built in or is a true digital amp (most class d's are not).
A "proper" amp wont help as a "proper" amp would be i assume a power amp. Which will only have a single analogue input.
A line stage or pre amplifier allows multiple sources to be used and allows you to adjust gain etc.
A dac is a digital analogue converter.
Something with two or more of the above is an intergrated amp.

In the interests of testing audio gear i would hope that you had the above available, as testing with active pc speakers or headphone plugged directly to soundcards can not allow you to assess sound quality. You need something better you need hi-fi components. Not PC components.