Need your advice regarding upgrade of my 4.1 Speakers Set

anonemus · Posted: Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:15:50 Post Subject:

You're welcome, Zachig! Either way, enjoy your new speakers Smile

zachig · Rated XXX Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 313

zachig · Rated XXX Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 313

UPDATE:

I've installed today the Audigy 2 I had lying around instead of my onboard Realtek ALC889A Sound Card.

Here are my impressions:

PROS:
- Games definitely sound better, not MUCH better, but better than the onboard one.
- I can go higher with the volume than I could with the onboard.

CONS:
- Strangely, there was a small hiss/white noise from the Speaker on High Volume, which I didn't/don't have with onboard one.
- For some reason, The plugged-in Microphone sounds HORRIBLE with the Audigy 2 card and nothing I did improved it, so I can barely make Skype calls with this setup...
- Since the card is an old PCI, I had to install it in my PCI Slot, located exactly below my Video Card. So the Audigy 2 is blocking all the airflow to my Video Card, resulting in IDLE temps higher in 2C (65C instead of 63C) and LOAD temps higher in 9C (!!!) (89C instead of 81C) than I had with the onboard.

So...unfortunately, even though the Audigy 2 sounds a bit better, mainly in games, I've decided to stick with my Realtek ALC889A Azalia onboard Sound Card.

I really think that onboard sound cards really improved over the years and they're not what a piece of #$%^ they used to be. Rolling Eyes

I think I'll keep the Audigy as a spare card or sell it for a few bucks.

Thanks guys for all your help and advice... Wink

anonemus · Posted: Sun, 26 Apr 2009 21:57:19 Post Subject:

Thanks for the update, zachig! If only Israel is near Philippines, I'd buy that Audigy 2 Smile

zachig · Rated XXX Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 313

kryptonian_sher · Posted: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:53:01 Post Subject:

@anonemus how much are you willing to part with your Creative card bro?

anonemus · Posted: Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:57:41 Post Subject:

@zachig -- yeah, the shipping cost is just too high!

@sher-- I acutually wanted to buy zachig's ZS but it's in Israel Smile

SUSHRUKH · Rated NC-17 Joined: 28 Jan 2007 Posts: 137

How are the X530's performing Zach ? I think, you are pretty satisfied by them.

zachig · Rated XXX Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 313