SoundBlaster X-Fi and a decent PC?

[Darren S]

Anyone got these in combination, as above really? I've got an X-Fi Fatal1ty card in a decidedly average PC and have no trouble with it at all. However, browsing a few forums, I've read that various people are having issues using it with top-flight PCs.

Certainly something to be aware of if (when) I upgrade. Really got used to the capability of the X-Fi now. I don't want to drop down to onbaord audio again if I can help it.

D.

 

[Mark5290]

Are they having compatibility issues with other hardware - mobo etc or is it just crappy drivers?.

 

[Darren S]

CL's official stance is that latency on the PCI bus is the main issue. The X-Fi is 'missing' its turn on the clock cycle and hence clipping and popping noises can be heard through the speakers.

As I said, I've no issues at the moment, but I know the problems well from my Audigy Player days. Games like UT2003 were horrendous for clicks and other noises from the spekers, yet other games such as SoF2 were fine. Definitely drivers do play a part in the problem.

If they just allowed us to flash the firmware, we maybe able to get the issue sorted!

D.

 

[Mark5290]

One of the reasons i stick with my 'relatively' old Athlon XP 3200+ 400 FSB system, it does everything i need it to do, plays BF2 no problem and has never crashed ever.

 

[Darren S]

One of the reasons i stick with my 'relatively' old Athlon XP 3200+ 400 FSB system, it does everything i need it to do, plays BF2 no problem and has never crashed ever.

Same as me, m8!

I've got that slotted into an MSI K7N2 Delta2-LSR mobo with three lots of Corsair PC3200 512MB sticks. Like yourself, it's not caused a problem but I was looking to update my PC in a couple of months and I'm getting to be a bit wary of the X-Fi in higher spec PCs.

They've released a Beta version of their latest drivers. Haven't used them yet as the ones from back in November (?) are still fine.

Out of interest, do you still get any clipping or popping noises in BF1942? I did on my older Audigy, switched to the onboard nForce audio and they disappeared. Got the new X-Fi shoved in there and the popping noises returned. Nothing major, just a bit annoying.

D.

 

[Mark5290]

I have not been on BF1942 since BF2 was released, but i can't remember any problems, i get no clipping or popping on BF2, have you updated all bios and drivers and game patches?.

Did you disable the onboard audio fully when using the X-Fi in bios and maybe using jumpers on the board (if that's required) ?.

My specs -

Lian-Li case
Hiper HPU-4K580 type r 580 watt modular PSU
Abit NF7S-V2.0
Athlon XP 3200+ (400 FSB) NForce 2
North Bridge fan replaced with uprated item (well worth doing)
Thermaltake Silent tower cooler (fantastic)
All fans converted to be controlled by Coolermaster Aerogate 2
1 GB Corsair Twin-X 3200XL DDR 400(Dual Channel)
ATI Radeon 9800 PRO (the one with the bigger H/S and fan on it)
Creative Audigy 2 ZS sound card
Speed link surround sound headset
Lite-on DVD - RW
Floppy
Card reader
Western Digital Raptor 74 gb 10,000 rpm SATA HDD as main boot drive (BF2 maps load a nats c*ck quicker with this drive)
1 X Maxtor SATA DM9, with 2 partions, large movie files on one partion and main boot drive ghosted to second partion ( just in case).
80 gig ide drive in removable caddy as 2nd backup for all those hard to replace files.
19" Benq TFT

Running all latest Bios, windows updates, NForce drivers, SoundBlaster drivers, ATI drivers, game patches, not overclocked, very stable machine.

 

[wozzaa]

I use an X-Fi Fatality card. And would say i have a high end system

4400+ Dualcore clock to 2.6ghz currently
7800GTX 512
2 gig OCZ platinum memory.
DFI SLI DR mobo.
and a total of 5 hard drives in there of varying sizes.

Only had the popping noise a couple times but using the mode changer if i change to entertainment or games mode it goes away.

 

[Darren S]

Yep Mark, I've done all the obvious! Mad to see that you've got a 9800 Pro as well - again, like me. How's the Lian-Li case, btw? Do they justify their high price?

Wozzaa - how have you found the X2 4400? I was looking into that one purely for the fact that it was the first spec with 1MB cache per core. I guess this was the reason why you went for it as well?

I considered a DFI mobo, but overclocking doesn't really do anything for me. Instead, I've got my eyes on Asus again, in particular.....

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTA3NCwxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

Maybe tag a few bits of PC8000 memory in there as well

D.

 

[wozzaa]

I find the dual core massively better my flatmates computer has a 3500 in it and the difference is easily noticeable. even though they both run usually at 2.2ghz. Could not go back to a single core now as a lot of the things i use take advantage of the second core including quite a few games now. quake4, oblivion etc all use the 2nd core. For some reason now not sure if its been enabled by valve but when playing css both my cores record a fair amount of usage on them as well. both doing over 60%.

Really is noticeable though the improvment even just opening up apps you can tell the difference although started taking it for advantage so when i use other peoples computers and im asking it to open 4 or 5 programs at the same time i sit and wonder why its so damn slow to do it all.

And yeah i went for the 4400 because of the 1mb of cache and they seemed to clock quite well from what i had seen mines got a bit left in it but due to the room being so hot recently its been reduced.

And if your considering an upgrade give a few months for AM2 to mature a bit 1st revisions are best avoided.

I really like my DFI boards as well. Been using them a while now after moving from only using gigabyte boards.

 

[Darren S]

Out of interest, do you still get any clipping or popping noises in BF1942? I did on my older Audigy, switched to the onboard nForce audio and they disappeared. Got the new X-Fi shoved in there and the popping noises returned. Nothing major, just a bit annoying.

D.

Actually switched to Dolby Pro Logic on my DTT3500 decoder. Suddenly all the pops and clicks went within BF1942. Didn't sound quite as good as the 5.1 setting, but decent enough all the same.

Small quirks of CL products, eh?

Wozzaa. Points taken onboard, m8

D.

 

[Mark5290]

Lian-li maybe expensive, but if you buy the right one it will be the only case you ever need to buy, they are put together very well, obviously a nice aluminium finish, a full size slide out mobo tray and backboard, nice array of case fans, thumbscrews everywhere, the claim that the aluminium makes the system cooler by disipating the heat i am not so sure about, it still gets fecking hot in there in this weather.

Overall i am happy with it, but i would swap it for this any day - http://www.lian-li.com/Product/Chassis/Middle_Tower/V_Cool/M_V_C_PC-V1000plus_2.htm

 

[David]

i got one and it's utterly awesome

p4 3.2g 1.5g ram 256 xfx 6800gt works wicked but mines not really high end anymore.

 

[Darren S]

Mark, how much was the case, if you don't mind me asking? They are around £160+, aren't they?

I was looking at an Antec case as a replacement. I currently have an Antec PSU and it does well for the price & spec. Hopefully the case will be on the same level....

http://www.antec.com/uk/productDetails.php?ProdID=81802

D.

 

[wozzaa]

After a new cae myself need a cooler master stacker though. No other case is actually big enough got athermaltake tsunami at moment and i bought a new hard drive cant get it inside the case no room left.

 

[Darren S]

Wozzaa - just get one of these m8 - I'm sure your budget can stretch that far!

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/tnn/tnn500af

D.

 

[wozzaa]

Its bloody huge and ugly. And who in there right mind would pay £600 for a sodding case! I had enough problems paying £70 for my last one. And now im cringing at paying £150 but i need the bigger case need to stick these other hard drives in full of work and other bits and pieces i need and im fed up swapping them around.

 

[Mark5290]

My case is part of the PC60 range, don't know how much it cost as it was a gift a few years ago, a PC60 will probably be around £80, a V1000 probably £135, a lot of money on a case but they are good quality.