What to Do?

PlacidVitality · 01-29-2007, 12:00 PM

Hello all, I'm new to this forum community and i hope you guys can help me out! I just purchased a new custom computer and a geforce 7600gs. Most of the game that i want to buy require a DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card.
So first off which, if not all sound blaster cards are 9.0 compatible? Secondly, between the x-fi series and the audigy series, which are the best cards for the money?
I'm looking at a Sound Blaster Audigy 4 7.1 24 Bit OEM for $39.99 and under the cards application requirements, it says that an 8.1 directx graphics card is needed. Does this mean that the card will not work with my 7600gs since it is a directx9.0?
I'm also looking at a Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty Pro Series for $106.99. I want something with amazing audio but not a hack out of the wallet. I think i might be willing to spend the $100.00 on the x-fi but i just want some professional expertise before i make any final decisions.
Thank you for your help and I look forward to your replies!!

dai · 01-29-2007, 12:10 PM

when it says an 8.1 card is needed it means 8.1 or better
i find the audigy 2 meets my needs but if you want the best sound go with the xfi

PlacidVitality · 01-29-2007, 02:47 PM

I own F.E.A.R., Total War 2, & Battlefield 2. Under F.E.A.R.'s minimum system requirements it says "16-bit DirectX 9.0 combliant sound card." So since the audigy 4 is only 8.1 the games wont work?

dai · 01-29-2007, 05:28 PM

i will move you to games

Tiber Septim · 01-30-2007, 04:24 AM

Huh. Strange. I just checked a couple games on my desk and about 4 of them all 'require' a DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card.
Funy thing is i don't even have a sound card installed, i use onboard sound and i've never had a problem with any of these games.

Unless you really want a dedicated sound card (i wouldn't recommend it, not much difference from onboard sound, except for the price

) I wouldn't bother getting one, the games should work fine.

Quote:

it says that an 8.1 directx graphics card is needed. Does this mean that the card will not work with my 7600gs since it is a directx9.0?

DirectX 9 is the next iteration after DirectX 8, so basically, your card is 'better' than what the game requires, so again, you shouldn't have any problems here.

Indoril Nerevar · 01-30-2007, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

i find the audigy 2 meets my needs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiber Septim

Unless you really want a dedicated sound card (i wouldn't recommend it, not much difference from onboard sound, except for the price ) I wouldn't bother getting one, the games should work fine.

I agree with both dai and Tiber. My advice: go for an Audigy 2. They're fairly cheap, and they do a very nice job. I have one in my system, and I love it. There's no real need to go any higher, but I don't like using onboard audio. So, go for the middle ground.

Spriggan43 · 01-30-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlacidVitality

I own F.E.A.R., Total War 2, & Battlefield 2. Under F.E.A.R.'s minimum system requirements it says "16-bit DirectX 9.0 combliant sound card." So since the audigy 4 is only 8.1 the games wont work?

dude i have that card and all off them games and i can tell you it will work with these games.. lol to say it wont is been dumb lol

Indoril Nerevar · 01-30-2007, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spriggan43

to say it wont is been dumb

Not at all. It simply means PlacidVitality doesn't know about these things, which is perfectly okay. We're here to help people learn these things.

Spriggan43 · 01-31-2007, 03:23 PM

i know i just get upset some time after dieing in css... like 10 times in a row.. sorry guys

01-29-2007, 12:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
PlacidVitality Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5 OS: XP	What to Do? Hello all, I'm new to this forum community and i hope you guys can help me out! I just purchased a new custom computer and a geforce 7600gs. Most of the game that i want to buy require a DirectX 9.0 compatible sound card. So first off which, if not all sound blaster cards are 9.0 compatible? Secondly, between the x-fi series and the audigy series, which are the best cards for the money? I'm looking at a Sound Blaster Audigy 4 7.1 24 Bit OEM for $39.99 and under the cards application requirements, it says that an 8.1 directx graphics card is needed. Does this mean that the card will not work with my 7600gs since it is a directx9.0? I'm also looking at a Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty Pro Series for $106.99. I want something with amazing audio but not a hack out of the wallet. I think i might be willing to spend the $100.00 on the x-fi but i just want some professional expertise before i make any final decisions. Thank you for your help and I look forward to your replies!!

01-29-2007, 12:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,623 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	when it says an 8.1 card is needed it means 8.1 or better i find the audigy 2 meets my needs but if you want the best sound go with the xfi __________________

01-29-2007, 02:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
PlacidVitality Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5 OS: XP	Reply I own F.E.A.R., Total War 2, & Battlefield 2. Under F.E.A.R.'s minimum system requirements it says "16-bit DirectX 9.0 combliant sound card." So since the audigy 4 is only 8.1 the games wont work?

01-29-2007, 05:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,623 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	i will move you to games __________________

01-31-2007, 03:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Spriggan43 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 289 OS: win xp 64bit	i know i just get upset some time after dieing in css... like 10 times in a row.. sorry guys __________________ Years ago I discovered the meaning of life but forgot to write it down…