Audigy 4 vs X-Fi Fatal1ty

[madden95]

What are the advantages for a gamer hoping to use 5.1 sound in using a X-Fi Fatal1ty over an Audigy 4 soundcard? Tell me if I am being too general. What I mean specifically is performance and sound quality.

 

[astrallite]

The paper specs for the DACs are similar, the differences lie in newer generation EAX5 (rather than 4; although who knows what the differences really are) if you are inquring for gaming differences.

I can't remember but I believe the Fatal1ty is the one with X-RAM; in that case it might have some benefits in some games, although I am unsure of how or what they would be.

 

[Rustol3um]

My question is for the price are you really gonna notice the difference.......? How much for the X-Fi Fatility and how much for the Audigy 4?...hmmmmm.....I don't believe the hype...I think its another way to try and get your money.....imho..

 

[astrallite]

Generally speaking putting money into speakers rather than electronics is probably going to net you a lot more utility.

It's kind of the "get a BMW M3, or get a Honda Civic and spend $40,000 on upgrades so that it's as comfy, posh, handles and performs like an M3" sort of thing. I prefer the prior.

 

[Rustol3um]

me too.....

 

[uncle_ben]

Latest X-Fi cards handle 128 voices simulanously each with reverb, occlusions etceters; that's twice as many as Audigy 4. When playing e.g. Quake 4 it does make audible difference. There should be more games using this technology coming in future, i think there are only few titles that fully support X-RAM.

I do not have Audigy 4 to blind test it but if I select Open AL (that means all of my X-Fi is used) in Quake 4 sound is way better then plain DirectX, every single sound gets real and very precise, I mean you instantly know the direction Stroggs are coming from.

I agree Audigy 4 is probably better value compared to X-Fi.
Still X-Fi is best performance card plus it comes with bery good surround sound for headphones. I got it and have no regrets about it sofar