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A/V <£100 sound card recommendations?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Unicorn, 15 Feb 2016.

  1. Unicorn

    Unicorn Uniform November India

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    I'm not sure if we have an audio thread in the hardware section so I hope it's ok that I post a new topic to ask this; The onboard audio on a friend's gaming PC has stopped working and his board is out of warranty. Rather than replace the board we have decided to take the easier option and install a PCI-E sound card.

    Anything will be an improvement over the onboard audio hardware anyway, and this way I don't have to drain two loops, dismantle the machine, and then re-plumb everything. It's also hopefully going to mean less downtime, but what would you recommend? Any decent card with 5.1 will do but I know the drivers and software for sound cards can be extremely hit and miss. I don't even get on that well with the app for controlling the features of my own Xonar D2X so I aim to find him something that's better or at the very least no worse than that.

    He does listen to music as well, but I'd hardly call him an audiophile. It's mainly a gaming rig, he plays a lot of competitive shooters like CS:GO and BF4.
     
  2. SuperHans123

    SuperHans123 Multimodder

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  3. Vault-Tec

    Vault-Tec Green Plastic Watering Can

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    Soundblaster Z.
     
  4. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

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    As someone that HATES Creative drivers and software, I'd suggest something by Asus. I have a Xonar U7 (external USB)
     
  5. lancer778544

    lancer778544 Multimodder

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    Another vote for Creative here. My old X-Fi sounded much better than my current D2X.
     
  6. Otis1337

    Otis1337 aka - Ripp3r

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    Personally id stay clear of creative, Asus xonar with custom drivers are brilliant, even there low end DG/ DGX cards.
     
  7. Vault-Tec

    Vault-Tec Green Plastic Watering Can

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    I've got both but just lately Creative have absolutely nailed their drivers, making the Asus ones look archaic.

    I also hate how the front audio ports on my Asus card are manual and you have to switch the headphones on yourself.

    As such my vote remains Creative.
     
  8. SuperHans123

    SuperHans123 Multimodder

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    Not had one driver issue with the latest Creative card I have mentioned earlier. Think they have sorted their **** out after years of justified criticisms of **** drivers.
     
  9. Vault-Tec

    Vault-Tec Green Plastic Watering Can

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    Yes they have. Believe me I was their enemy for years but over the past year they have absolutely nailed it.
     
  10. Plastic_Manc

    Plastic_Manc Minimodder

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  11. Dan848

    Dan848 What's a Dremel?

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    I second Creative SoundBlaster Z.

    Simply outstanding hardware. The software is limited, but somewhat useful, the only caveat is Scout Mode [for gaming], it is completely worthless.
     
  12. Unicorn

    Unicorn Uniform November India

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    Bump for this thread with another question. Is there a decent sound card on the market short enough to fit in the PCI-E 1x slot highlighted on an EVGA X58 Classified board?

    [​IMG]
     
  13. lancer778544

    lancer778544 Multimodder

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    I think the Soundblaster Z series cards will fit in that gap...
     
  14. Buzzons

    Buzzons Minimodder

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