PCA Forums

I'm having some IRQ conflicts w/ my Soundblaster Live, really pissing me off. So I want to just bite the bullet, and get a new sound card. I'm wondering what would be a good one to buy. I just want the card, no need for something like the "Live Drive".

I'd like it to be fairly cheap, maybe $30-$40 something like that? Just an unexpected expense, so I guess I'm not aiming for anything fancy. But, if there's a sound card out there, say the Audigy 2 or something that really blows cheaper cards out of the water, then I might concider it. I'm only running 4.1, but I guess the option for 5.1 would be nice, it's nothing too important.

Mainly going to be using the card for music, though games and movies are definatly included.

Advice? Opinions? Thanks in advance.

The Audigy 2 is a pretty good value for around $70, and is probably the best card out there for games (support + speed wise), it also supports 6.1. However, if you're going to listen to more music I recommend the M-Audio Revolution because of its superior DACS, but it costs slightly more, at around $100. If you want to spend even less, the Audigy 1 at around $50 is a pretty good value, but I think its definitely worth the 20 extra bucks to go with the Audigy 2.

talk to blade, I see him mention from time to time some inexpensive c-media card that sounds better then a live supposeibly

........"IRQ conflicts w/ my Soundblaster Live" What a surprise.


Check out some reviews on this.......

http://us.hercules.com/products/showpag ... 56&b=0&f=1

Very impressive card at a good price ( $44 or so? ) that's in your range that you mentioned.

But I think FP is the one always mentioning those $15 C-Media cards.. Just do a search for C-Media Mars and that should help.. In fact..

http://www.pcabusers.com/forums/showthr ... ght=cmedia

GL eGo

Just a thought, do you need a new system board too

Some of these onboard sound systems are getting pretty darned good, and not much more if any than a sound card alone!

The c media sound cards are darn good. To me they sound better than the live value cards. A fuller and richer sound.

I'm currently using the sound card vidman linked too. It's fine and offers 7.1 (like I'm going to use that ), but I don't think it's any better than c media 8738 5.1 and above.

I use a 6 channel Cobra 850-AW. the cheapest card i could find @ 20 Canadian. It supports 5.1
Audiochip is CMI8738

link here: http://www.altdirect.com/DSProduct.cfm?ProductID=101736

one step up with WinDVD+ WinRIP+ Optical Cable for 34$ can.
http://www.altdirect.com/DSProduct.cfm?ProductID=102752

I like the card and wouldnt pay more for some "brandname" card.

Turtle Beach Santa Cruz, $44 on sale at Newegg a while back. Awesome sounding card. Uses same chipset as the Hercules stuff I think.