I would like to hear you opinions on...

[Commander Hunt]

... what sound card I should get? I really would like a pretty good sound card because my onboard sounds sux bad and the jac for my mic doesnt work.... Input?

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Risk is my business...
My Baby (http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=19935)

[Cool Matty]

Soundblaster Audigy is great
Soundblaster Audigy 2 is even better, if you got the tons of mula, and are a sound freak.

[Commander Hunt]

my bad i shoulda mentioned budget... I wanna keep it under $120 or so...

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Risk is my business...
My Baby (http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=19935)

[Cool Matty]

SoundBlaster Live! isn't too bad ... its cheaper, but its basically an old Audigy.

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"The future is not determined by a throw of the dice, but is determined by the conscious decisions of you and me."
I am addicted to ellipses!!! AHHH!!! ...

[Emon]

I got my Audigy 2 on sale at Best Buy for $100. The X-Mas or after X-Mas sales should have it at $120 the most.

[Commander Hunt]

Is the Extigy any good?

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Risk is my business...
My Baby (http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=19935)

[Malus]

I wouldn't get an Extigy if you can use a regular PCI card.

Personally, I would buy a nice card like Philip's, Hercules, or Turtle Beach. Not only do they sound great, but they're so cheap you'll probably have the money to buy new speakers too.

If you want to go the Creative route, the Audigy2 would be the best way to go. Just make sure you only install the drivers and none of the bloated crap, otherwise you'll probably have problems.

[Emon]

Bloated crap, like what? The Creative Media player? I don't doubt you'd have problems with that stuff, but if you're referring just to the advanced sound control like the EAX panel, there are no problems with that.

[Aglar]

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduct.asp?description=29-102-154&depa=1

$108 + $6 shipping = $114

[Malus]

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Emon:
Bloated crap, like what? The Creative Media player? I don't doubt you'd have problems with that stuff, but if you're referring just to the advanced sound control like the EAX panel, there are no problems with that.</font>

The drivers themselves are fine, the extra software has loads of bugs. Most people don't even need the extra software anyway, so why install the crap in the first place?

[Is_907]

the Santa Cruz card that turtle beach makes is comparable to an SB Live.
I got this SB Live 5.1 for $32 USD back early this year so they're nice and cheap... i'd say get an Audigy if you want something that'll last a while.

[Commander Hunt]

Thank you everyone for the advice and stuff. I think I am Gonna go with the Extigy...

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Risk is my business...
My Baby (http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=19935)

[Aglar]

Why? Do you have a laptop?

The Extigy is more expensive and quality isn't quite as good as the vanilla Audigy, let alone the Audigy 2.

[Emon]

Yeah, and the Audigy 2 is Creative's first TRUE 24-bit card, it's really the best to get.

[Commander Hunt]

Oh really? When comparing the Audigy2, to the Extigy it seemed that the Extigy was better... Well in that case I will go with the Audigy2. Thank you very much.

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Risk is my business...
My Baby (http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=19935)