KT400 & sound cards

[randy66]

I have an Asus A7V8X w/via kt400 , I want to upgrade sound from the on-board solution. on my 2nd computer it has a sound blaster live value on Asus a7v-kt133a and had no problems at all , but I read that the newer creative cards ( audigy 1&2 )can cause lock-ups and problems with the newer kt400. Do you think I'd be better off going with a turtle beach or hercules card ? thanks for your opinions

 

[Andyddr]

Creative and VIA`s KT series have never got on well. Although on my Soltek DRV4 (Kt266a) and Epox 8k9A (KT400) I`ve never had a problem with my Creative SB Live! 5.1. I was looking into getting other soundcards (just like you) instead of Live! and there are really three other to get:

<A HREF="http://europe.hercules.com/showpage.php?p=41&b=0&f=1" target="_new"> Hercules </A>
<A HREF="http://www.consumer.philips.com/global/b2c/ce/catalog/product.jhtml;jsessionid=1CDAE5XBFE2JECRQNAVRYUYKGBUTSHD0?divId=0&groupId=CONNECTIONS&catId=PCSPEAKERSSOUNDCARDS&subCatId=PCSOUNDCARDS&productId=PSC706_17" target="_new"> Philips </A>
<A HREF="http://www.turtlebeach.com/site/products/santacruz/indetail.asp" target="_new"> TurtleBeach </A>
<A HREF="http://www.soundblaster.com" target="_new"> Creative</A> Just for reference

If price is a factor then the SB Live! would be first choice (South Africa prices). The problem with Philips is poor driver support although the card is pretty good and in some reviews I`ve read it comes out ahead of the Live!. I`d say go for the Hercules if you want a nice mix of sound quality and price (and as far as I know they have the only 7.1 soundcard on the market).


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