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External Sound Card Questions

post #1 of 6
7/18/07 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a decent set of 2.1 speakers for my 9890 but as most people already know the onboard sound is well... awful.

So my questions is this. Should i get a PCMCIA sound card or should i get a USB sound card? Advantages or disadvantages, if any of each?

And also some recommendations please. I'm not looking for something really fancy or expensive just something that will output good quality sound. Two models i noticed are the Creative Audigy 2 ZS (PCMCIA) and the Audigy 2 NX (USB).

Thanks!

Giannis
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post #2 of 6
7/20/07 at 11:09am
The big question is gaming. The Creative products are best for gaming but there have been known issues with the Audigy2ZS PCMCIA card due to bandwidth limitations over the PCMCIA slot. You can read about it in the tech support forums here.

I think the USB product would be fine and since most people can't run EAX effects over the PCMCIA card anyway it would make it a non issue. There are other options as well such as Turtle Beach.

Probably anything you get will be fine and the amount of money you spend should be dependent on what you want the audio to do.
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post #3 of 6
7/20/07 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 
Thanks Woody. I just bought the USB Audigy 2 NX yesterday. Others also recommended a USB card due to the fact that you can simply use it in pretty much any other machine whereas PCMCIA is almost completely phased out for the new ExpressCard format.

I'll only use it for gaming, movies and listening to music, no studio applications or whatever so i think the USB should be ok. At first i was worried that maybe USB wouldnt have enough bandwidth but the Audigy 2 NX is USB 2.0 so i should be ok.
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post #4 of 6
9/12/07 at 3:29pm
Although you've already made your purchase...
I have the Audigy 2 zs and have been very happy with it.
I typically have all sorts of usb accessories plugged in,
so the ZS is a great way to keep those ports free.
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post #5 of 6
9/12/07 at 7:06pm
Thread Starter 
Yes i have quite a few USB devices on too but its ok i manage with the Audigy 2 NX. The ZS would'nt be convenient for typing and would generaly be in the way due to the placement of PCMCIA slot. Anyway im enjoying my NX and im really happy with it.
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post #6 of 6
9/13/07 at 3:15am
I liked the onboard sound on my 98xx. . . it worked well for my 2.1 speaker systems fine. Though i have never considered my self a picky person on audio. Are you haveing a specific problem w/ your onboard? Perhaps you can find a cheaper avenue by just using different settings on what you got. . . just imho.
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