Looking for a Vista compatible soundcard

I

Igsaa

New Member
Hai hai forumworld

I've recently been considering to purchase an actual soundcard instead of the Realtek onboard chip I got. Currently its this 'High Definition Audio'. I used to work on a laptop with a similair soundcard in it, but that was on Windows XP SP2. Where it actually provided some fun things like a graphic equalizer. Nowadays I'm using a computer with Vista and sadly it's lacking that equalizer.

Recently I bought some very nice headphones so I was thinking to get a soundcard with it which would match the headphones in quality. So I've been looking around and noticed a lot of Creative X-Fi cards. I figured it'd be an idea to purchase the 'Xtreme Gamer' edition of it but it also appears many people got issues with the drivers from Creative for Vista? Read a lot of reviews from people who weren't satisfied with it.

I was hoping maybe these forums could help me out in advising before actually spending money. Things I'd like would be:

-Good quality Soundcard
-Compatible and functional drivers for Vista 64bit
-Not toooo pricy
-Additional software for a graphic equalizer or similair, perhaps bass enhancing/boosting options

My apologies if I'm asking for way too much ^^
 

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System One

Hi Igsaa, Welcome to the Forums :party:

I'm running Realtek drivers on Vista x86 and it comes with Realtek Audio manager which gives all sorts of extras including equalisation not sure if this is available with the x64 driver (or codec) you may want to check you have the latest drivers before you buy a new card. also If you right click on the speaker icon in the notification area and click playback devices you may find extra options there. It may well be that x64 is not yet supported as well as x86 but may be worth a try :D
 

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System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest Release Preview
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    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
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    AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
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    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
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    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
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    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
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    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
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    Samsung 32" TV
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Thanks Barman : )

I indeed have the latest realtek drivers. It seems to have some 'bass enhance' options in the Realtek HD Audio configuration panel but that seems to mess up the sound more than actually 'enhancing' it for me. As well as the other extra options in sound settings don't seem to make much of a good difference.

I've been trying to use SRS Audio Sandbox but it didn't work properly, and sadly wasn't able to find any other possible equalizers. At least, nothing that the Realtek Equalizer managed to do in Windows XP.

I do think I'd like a new soundcard, surely the quality would be better in any case?
 

My Computer

System One

Hi igsaa,

yes the quality will I guess be dependent on how much you want to pay ;)

a quick Google found this Site which shows a range and may be a good place to start at least.

I have found that the realtek On Board quality is dependent on what hardware it's attached to :confused:

On my desktop with cheap ASROCK Mobo sound is fine but on the acer laptop it's awful, full of distortion except when you turn all the enhancements off. and that's not with the built in speakers but connected to the same set as the desktop.:cry:

Good luck hope you find something suitable :D
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest Release Preview
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 1920x1080 @50Hz
  • Manufacturer/Model
    Real World Computers (Custom by Me)
    CPU
    AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A78L-M USB3
    Memory
    32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Asus nVidia GTX750TI-OC-2GD5 (2GB DDR5)
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 32" TV
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Internal
    Crucial CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SSD,
    Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,

    External (USB3)
    Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
    2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)
    NAS 4TB
    PSU
    Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
    Case
    AeroCool X-Warrior Red Devil Tower
    Cooling
    Hyper103 CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
    Internet Speed
    68 MB Down 18.5 MB Up
    Other Info
    Six Sensor Auto / Manual Digital cooling (Fan) control with Touch control Panel
Thanks for your help : )

Apparantly a friend has the Creative X-fi Xtreme Gamer card thingy and seems to have no issues under Vista with it. Lots of fun software to help the sound with as well apparantly so I'm leaning to giving it a try.

As for now, I don't have any issues with music really. Using Foobar2000's equalizer and some other small DSP's to make the sound come out beautifully. It's just games for example that make it appear as if there's no bass whatsoever.

Besides that, I do really value high quality sound a lot so I figure having something else than onboard would've been a necesary step to take in the first place ;D

Again thanks for your help : )
 

My Computer

System One

I had the X-Fi Fatality Gamer's Ed. card and tried to use it under x64 Vista (switching from XP x32), but has crackle noises in all sounds: games, music and OS... Trying multiple drivers, installing in different orders, including Physx, with no luck, including Creative's lack of support.
I purchased the ASUS Xonar D2 and I am happy with it's performance under x64 OS.
Clean install, small driver size and lot's of added applications included with card's bundled software, and all the cables you will ever need to connect to almost anything audio.
I highly recommend it, although it is pricy @ just under $200 US, which is in same range as Creative's X-Fi series.
 

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System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Mojo
    CPU
    AMD X2 6400+ @ 3.36 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N-SLi
    Memory
    4GB Corsair XMS 1066GHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 260
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xonar D2 PCI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 930b 19" LCD / LG 22" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 / 1360x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 200GB SATAll
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    Enermax 650w
    Case
    Thermaltake Tsunami
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Big Typhoon
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    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    3MB DSL
Oh hm, I hadn't seen that card anywhere yet. I was very much in doubt about the Creative x-Fi series considering people's bad experiences. Have looked up a bit about the Xonar and it seems to be valued by its nice support.

Definitely gonna try that I think.. besides, the plugs have shiny lights!! LIGHTS! to see in the dark! .. >_>

Ahem, right.. Thanks a lot for your help : )
 

My Computer

System One

I went for PCI version, since GTX260 hogged up PCIe space on Mobo, but same chips in both. NewEgg has them, with mail-in rebates:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/drwngflies/Xonarchoices.jpg

Like I said, I was really dissatisfied with Creative's lack of support, when so many posts around the 'net' about bad drivers and compatibility issues under x64 OS's; Vista and Linux.
I've had it for third day now, without a single issue what-so-ever.
Good Luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Mojo
    CPU
    AMD X2 6400+ @ 3.36 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N-SLi
    Memory
    4GB Corsair XMS 1066GHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 260
    Sound Card
    ASUS Xonar D2 PCI
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 930b 19" LCD / LG 22" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 / 1360x768
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 200GB SATAll
    PSU
    Enermax 650w
    Case
    Thermaltake Tsunami
    Cooling
    Thermaltake Big Typhoon
    Keyboard
    Razer Reclusa
    Mouse
    Logitech G5
    Internet Speed
    3MB DSL
I used a X-Fi with Vista 64 and it cracks and pops in games and music. I would not recommend this card if you are running Vista.

You might want to consider HT Omega. I just purchased a Claro Plus and it's so much better sounding than the X-Fi it replaced. Newegg has the Claro+ on sale for $154.99 at the moment.

Check out HT Omega - The Next Generation in Audio. for more info. They just released two more cards based on the C-Media Oxygen HD CMI8788 chipset.
 

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  • CPU
    Phenom II 940 BE
    Motherboard
    Asus M4A79 Deluxe BIOS 1702
    Memory
    8 gigs OCZ DDR2 PC2-6400 Reaper
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire 4870 512meg cards
    Sound Card
    HT Omega Claro plus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Asus VH236H 23 inch HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    WD Raptor 150gig
    PSU
    Antec 850W TruePower Quattro
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    Antec PlusView II Black SOHO File Server
Thanks a lot guys,

Wow, I never ran into these cards. Everywhere I went I only heard Creative. But it seems there's definitely more reliable choices. This is exactly the information I've been hoping for : )

It's 'good' to know more Vista users can confirm the X-Fi's aren't recommended. Removes all consideration towards buying one of them ;). I'll be purchasing a new soundcard in about two weeks, so until then I'm open for more suggestions ;D

Thanks a lot, again!
 

My Computer

System One

Both the Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 and the HT Omega Claro Plus work with Vista x64 and more than 4GB of RAM. I have used both of these on my machine and both sound fantastic. The X-Fi Platinum sounded like a bowl of Rice Krispies on the same hardware.

The Claro is a well rounded sound card that sounds great in games and media (music, movies). I think the Claro sounds better than the Auzen X-Fi in media applications. I think the Auzen holds the upper hand in Games. And the Auzen has all of the features and adjustments that the X-Fi has, without all the crap. Auzen X-Fis are not re-branded Creative stuff. They are re-engineered and use higher quality components. Auzen also has standard digital inputs and outputs (both optical and coax) as does the Claro Plus. Either would be better than any Creative X-Fi offering.

Read up on both:

Welcome to HT OMEGA Inc. > soundcards > CLARO plus+

Auzentech, Inc. Sound Cards. Audio You Can Believe In. World First soundcards for Music, HTPC, and Gaming.
 

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System One

  • CPU
    Q9450 SLAWR
    Motherboard
    XFX 780i
    Memory
    8GB OCZ SLI 5-4-4-12@800
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    XFX 8800 GTX 768MB (2)
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    Auzen X-Fi Prelude / Logitech Z-5500 Digital 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung Syncmaster 214T
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    Antec 900
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    4 x 120mm, 1 x 200mm
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    Microsoft Entertainment Desktop 8000
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    Logitech G7, Razer Lachesis
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    3Mb
Hm, it'd appear the HT Omega cards aren't sold here (Netherlands). So I'll be limited to the Asus one and Auzentech X-Fi which are both similair in price. Both of them seem to have good ratings so definitely good that I have the choice between some excellent sound cards without having to worry.

Thanks so much for this valuable information!
 

My Computer

System One

Igsaa said:
Hm, it'd appear the HT Omega cards aren't sold here (Netherlands). So I'll be limited to the Asus one and Auzentech X-Fi which are both similair in price. Both of them seem to have good ratings so definitely good that I have the choice between some excellent sound cards without having to worry.

Thanks so much for this valuable information!
Click to expand...

Just to balance things about the X-Fi -I run the Xtreme music and with the last set of drivers everything works fine, on nvidia chipsets even
-before the last set of drivers , a modded OpenL was needed
-the EAX in BF2142 seems the same to me as in XP3, foot steps in the right rear , mean I'am about to die from the right rear.
-but the drivers were a long time coming .
 

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    FX Xtreem music--Logitech 5.1 surround
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