Kitz Forum

Computers & Hardware => PC Hardware => Topic started by: Floydoid on September 20, 2007, 12:18:09 PM

Title: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: Floydoid on September 20, 2007, 12:18:09 PM

Now I've got my graphics sorted, I think it's about time I upgraded my soundcard.  I currently have a SB Live! 5.1 which has served me well for about 5 years, in 2, if not 3 machines (I lose count).

Again, I want to go for cheap and cheerful (my budget is no more than 20 quid), and am looking at this one:

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/98938

Not being a sound buff, I would appreciate comments, suggestions to alternatives, etc.

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: roseway on September 20, 2007, 12:30:30 PM

I'm not a sound buff either, but that's a popular card at a good price.

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: mr_chris on September 20, 2007, 01:02:46 PM

The Audigy is a nice all-rounder card, with higher quality output than the Live, which was reasonably good anyway.

Incidentally why do you want to upgrade the Live?

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: Floydoid on September 20, 2007, 01:36:11 PM

Quote from: mr_chris on September 20, 2007, 01:02:46 PM

Incidentally why do you want to upgrade the Live?

I think it's time for a change, and the Live! will go in my second PC which has an even more ancient soundblaster in it.

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: Floydoid on October 08, 2007, 09:14:44 AM

Had the new soundcard fitted for a few days now... very impressed with the 24-bit sound.

[edit]
Though why it costs an extra tenner to put the same card & CD in a fancy box (and presumably with an instruction leaflet) is totally beyond me.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/123088
[/edit]

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: kitz on October 08, 2007, 10:36:32 AM

>>> Though why it costs an extra tenner to put the same card & CD in a fancy box (and presumably with an instruction leaflet) is totally beyond me.


I know exactly what you mean - and why for years I tend to get OEM stuff if possible to save money.
Boxes and multi-lingual leaflets normally get binned anyhow.

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: Floydoid on October 08, 2007, 10:52:42 AM

And what is simpler than whacking in a new card and running the cd-rom?

Actually I didn't even use the cd, I just got the latest driver set-up .exe off the creative site.

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: panomania on October 15, 2007, 06:09:02 PM

all you need now is some desent speakers  :lol:

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: Floydoid on October 15, 2007, 10:37:55 PM

New speakers will be next, but the ones I already have are pretty good, and you know it. :P

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: jabns on November 30, 2007, 08:14:55 AM

With Intels quad cores the difference between OEM and Retail is £25  ??? Why would i want that box and leaflet??? It must be gold plated.

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: Floydoid on November 30, 2007, 09:12:17 AM

The current prices for that soundblaster are £15 for the OEM and £30 for the retail boxed, and I sure don't need a leaflet telling me how to install a PCI card.

Title: Re: Budget Sound Cards
Post by: jabns on November 30, 2007, 09:36:11 AM

LOL exactly.