Looking to buy a Sound Card for the first time ever

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slayerbizkit

slayerbizkit

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Sep 26, 2009
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So, I just bought a 8-speaker sound system. I usually game/listen to music on headphones or tabletop mic's, but my on-board sound is dying, so I figured this would be the time to try out a soundcard for the first time.
 
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

http://www.amazon.com/Blaster-Performance-Headphone-Forming-Microphone/dp/B009ISU33E

The Xonar will offer you proper 7.1 audio while the Soundblaster Z is limited to 5.1 channels but has a better AMP for when you use headphones, both have 116dB SNR. I have a Soundblast Z myself and let me tell you, it sounds good but Creative's driver support is absolutely hideous.

I understand Asus is slightly better in the driver department but there's also a couple of modded drivers for the Soundblaster Z that help people having problems with the official drivers.

It boils down to what you prefer in terms of features.
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slayerbizkit

slayerbizkit

Distinguished
Sep 26, 2009
54
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18,530
My budget is $50-$70, willing to go lower if I can get away with it :). It's mainly to replace my on-board sound, which is dying right now, but I want to see if it will make a difference with my 8-speaker setup that I'm about to try
 
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SonSon1

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Nov 29, 2013
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132006

http://www.amazon.com/Blaster-Performance-Headphone-Forming-Microphone/dp/B009ISU33E

The Xonar will offer you proper 7.1 audio while the Soundblaster Z is limited to 5.1 channels but has a better AMP for when you use headphones, both have 116dB SNR. I have a Soundblast Z myself and let me tell you, it sounds good but Creative's driver support is absolutely hideous.

I understand Asus is slightly better in the driver department but there's also a couple of modded drivers for the Soundblaster Z that help people having problems with the official drivers.

It boils down to what you prefer in terms of features.
 
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Solution
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SonSon1

Honorable
Nov 29, 2013
134
1
10,710
Do a web search for "PAX Sound Blaster Z".

If your 8 channel set up is good quality, I would give the Xonar a try, no headphones surround emulation will beat the real thing, I have a good 5.1 setup and these days I use headphones only for online gaming, no more. I have nothing bad to say about the Soundblaster Z in terms of sound quality, quite the contrary. Nevertheless, I did have to fiddle with a lot of different drivers and swapping slots on the mobo until I managed to get it stable.

There's a thread here in which you will be able to see potential problems you will be facing:

http://forums.creative.com/showthread.php?t=699420

In the end, if you decide to go for it and you can get it running well on your computer, it will be worth the effort and current price.

Cheers.
 
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gamerk316

gamerk316

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Jul 8, 2008
13,233
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Between the ASUS Xonar DX and the Creative Soundblaster Z, I'd almost always recommend the Z unless you can find the DX for about $50. It's still a VERY solid option, but it IS getting on in years now. The amp the Z has also makes it a more attractive option.
 
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