sound cards


I've just got a new speaker system-- logitech Z5200e 5:1 and need advice as to whether to update my sound card.
I have a creative sound blaster live -value and am thinking of going to the
creative sound blaster X-FI xtreme gamer fatality pro.
Would the change be worth the money?
I would appreciate any advice.

redd

I can't vote on what you should do, as I can't find any "Z3200e" listed on logitechs site. They do have a 3200 laser mouse, but no 3200 speakers. Without knowing what speakers I'm talking about, I can't tell you what you should do.

I will give you my general guidlines however. You only need a sound card if your ears are capable of hearing the difference over onboard, and if the speakers you have are capable of "displaying" the better sound. (I said onboard, but in your case, its a matter of soundcards, same thing.) If your hearing is like mine, then the live card is fine. (96kbps mp3s sound fine to me.) If you have a good high powered speaker system, then you probably want the sound card. I hear people talk about how great the x-540s are from logitech, but I wouldn't want to use those. To make them loud enough, you'd have to crank the volume, causing distortion.

And i will give you my experience... I went from an SB Live 24bit to the X-Fi XtremeMusic... it feels like night and day! I am mainly using headphones for a greater immersion in gaming. All games that support EAX 4 and bove run much faster (SB Live only supports it in software mode), they sound better, and mp3's with X-Fi's crystaliser sound absolutely awesome!!! I will say it once more... it was worth every cent i spent on the card. And bizzarely (and luckily) i haven't experienced any of the "famous" crackles and pops that other users have. I guess i am one of the lucky ones.

Thinks for reply --speakers are logitech z5300e

The 5x00 series from Logitech is a tough one for me. They have lots of power and is the starting point for me of where good speakers start. My vote is to hook them up to your system and use them. If they sound good and your happy, then great. If they don't sound that great, then your hearing is good enough that a better sound card will make them sound like they should.