Audigy Series

I know that there are couples of different Audigy packages--Platinum EX, Platinum, XGamer, MP3+, Digital Entertainment, and OEM...please tell me that all of these cards are the same, except each goes with a different kind of package...if not, then please point out the differences between these cards...also, i've been looking all over for the Digital Entertainment card, but none of the retailer carry it in Pricewatch.com...i do all sort of things, that's why i'm looking for the DE card...will the MP3+ handle everything i want to do?

i really want the platinum ex but it's way too expensive compares to the others...

I try to smile everyday but I can't...

the card itself is the same for all the retail boxed versions. the difference between the Platinum EX and Platinum has to do with software i do believe. both come with the bay drive.
the difference between the other three non-bay drive retails is again, simply software.
i've heard that the OEM's don't have the gold plated connections on the card, so that would be the difference with the OEM over the retail.

i use an Audigy Gamer and it's a great sound card. can't wait for games that support EAX HD, it's amazing technology. plus, if you compare on a decent set of speakers, the difference between a Live card and an Audigy is HUGE. it's like going from cassette tape to CD (well, maybe not that drastic). the sound is a lot better though. it seems to have more depth to it, only way i can describe it.

where oh where have all the intel's gone?

The Platinum has an internet drive unit whereas the Platinum EX has an external one. It's supposed to allow people more flexibility for where they want audio inputs to be placed, as well as reducing the amount of noise created by unsheilded componentry inside the computer.

the Hercules is not a better card than the Audigy. it's competition is the Sound Blaster Live!, which is just pitiful when compared to an Audigy. of course the Hercules is cheaper though, it's outdated technology compared to the Audigy. only reason to get the Hercules over an Audigy is if you happen to be a Creative hater.

where oh where have all the intel's gone?

Audigy is great card. Creative have introduce new feature with Audigy. Most of the new feature of Audigy should be supported by game manufaturers soon. It is not going to become obsolete when new games come out.

Oops! exsuuse myy typping. I'd go with that. The GTXP has just as good a quality (if not better) and is cheaper than the Audigy. If you only want that external drive unit, it's definately a better option.

But GTXP does not have the new effect Audigy have.

So because you don't have stability problems, he won't? I have, Crash has, etc. Every single person I've ever talked to who has had a Live has had some sort of problem (including me). Audigy's seem to be a lot better, but there are still a couple of problems laying around.

Advanced HD is the only advantage that the Audigy has over the GTXP. The GTXP is also a better deal, has a better external rack, less CPU usage, etc.

Which would you pick? Advanced HD isn't even currently used in games.

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i'm currently running PIII@1GHz with CUSL2-C and SBLive!Value....so i don't think the driver problem of creative will affect me...

I try to smile everyday but I can't...

Sure, but they are not used! How can you know Advanced HD is a great feature when you've never heard it in games? lol

AMD technology + Intel technology = Intel/AMD Pentathlon IV; the <b>ULTIMATE</b> PC processor

no problem at all...but the bad thing is it only supports 4.1...

I try to smile everyday but I can't...

If you only play games 4.1 will be good enough.

The newer SB Live also have digital output.

The Audigy EX has an external box with lots of inputs/outputs that are great for the person who does a lot of home recording studio stuff. It also comes with a lite version of Cubase (a very high-end professional music composing application). If you are a serious musician, get the EX. If you aren't, it would probably be somewhat of an overkill. I've seen the EX for around $200 though (a ridiculously low price if you are a serious musician).


Also, Creative does have a track record of being lazy about upgrading their drivers, BUT, to be fair I must mention that a lot of people who have problems with their drivers also have VIA chipsets on their motherboards. VIA chipsets are often known to cause instability/incompatibility with many pieces of hardware and software. If you go the "troubleshooting" section of many hardware or software sites of any consequence, you will usually (though not <i>always</i> ) find some comment about how "If you have a motherboard with a VIA chipset you may experience a problem with...", or "Some motherboards based on VIA chipsets have been known to have stability issues with..." etc. Not that I have any agenda against VIA. It's just what my own experience and study has shown me.


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First of all, are you going to use 5.1 speakers ? they are about $100. Good card with cheap speakers isn't worth much... You can get audigy OEM(without fancy software) for about $70 or SB LIVE 5.1 for around $35 .I don't notice much difrence between those two using same high quality 5.1 speakers. There is no difrence between audigy cards, they just come with difrent software bundle. If you care for the external drive, than is cheaper to buy it with card rather than add it later.

MP3s are only stereo, which is why when you encode a DVD to Divx, you lose the 5.1 surround.

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