picking a sound card, advice

Hi
i recently bought a computer and have been getting into the gaming scene,
spending endless hours playing a game that i think is truly excellent -
Americas Army. Anyway, i just realized that my sound card probably doesn't
compare much with what's out there. it's an onboard AC97 ALC650 sound card
(on the motherboard). I'm looking to get a new sound card that will be
excellent for game playing. Could someone tell my what are some good
options, and also how my existing sound card compares to these. when i play
AA, i currently get 3d sound using a headset, but i'm hoping that a beefier
sound card will improve this greatly (will it ?). i currently get 3d
directional sound (ie can hear from what direction enemy is coming from),
but i still think it's poor, as sometimes i can't tell what direction their
coming from and get killed. So if someone could share some of their
knowledge in finding the right sound card that would be great.

thanks
Jole

I bought an Audigy Z2 Platinum and it really is an improvement over my older
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. I like the controls on the front panel too.

B~

If your main reason for buying a new sound card is playing games, I would
recommend a card from Creatives Audigy 2 ZS range (but please dont touch the
Audigy LS with a barge pole, its awfull). Creatives Audigy 2 ZS cards offer
better 3D sound than any of the competition.

Crimson Liar

"jole" wrote in message
...
Hi
i recently bought a computer and have been getting into the gaming scene,
spending endless hours playing a game that i think is truly excellent -
Americas Army. Anyway, i just realized that my sound card probably
doesn't
compare much with what's out there. it's an onboard AC97 ALC650 sound
card
(on the motherboard). I'm looking to get a new sound card that will be
excellent for game playing. Could someone tell my what are some good
options, and also how my existing sound card compares to these. when i
play
AA, i currently get 3d sound using a headset, but i'm hoping that a
beefier
sound card will improve this greatly (will it ?). i currently get 3d
directional sound (ie can hear from what direction enemy is coming from),
but i still think it's poor, as sometimes i can't tell what direction
their
coming from and get killed. So if someone could share some of their
knowledge in finding the right sound card that would be great.

thanks
Jole

I'm really happy with my Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.
You can find them on eBay starting at $15

"jole" wrote in message
...
Hi
i recently bought a computer and have been getting into the gaming scene,
spending endless hours playing a game that i think is truly excellent -
Americas Army. Anyway, i just realized that my sound card probably
doesn't
compare much with what's out there. it's an onboard AC97 ALC650 sound
card
(on the motherboard). I'm looking to get a new sound card that will be
excellent for game playing. Could someone tell my what are some good
options, and also how my existing sound card compares to these. when i
play
AA, i currently get 3d sound using a headset, but i'm hoping that a
beefier
sound card will improve this greatly (will it ?). i currently get 3d
directional sound (ie can hear from what direction enemy is coming from),
but i still think it's poor, as sometimes i can't tell what direction
their
coming from and get killed. So if someone could share some of their
knowledge in finding the right sound card that would be great.

thanks
Jole

I'm really happy with my Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.
You can find them on eBay starting at $15

"jole" wrote in message
...
Hi
i recently bought a computer and have been getting into the gaming scene,
spending endless hours playing a game that i think is truly excellent -
Americas Army. Anyway, i just realized that my sound card probably
doesn't
compare much with what's out there. it's an onboard AC97 ALC650 sound
card
(on the motherboard). I'm looking to get a new sound card that will be
excellent for game playing. Could someone tell my what are some good
options, and also how my existing sound card compares to these. when i
play
AA, i currently get 3d sound using a headset, but i'm hoping that a
beefier
sound card will improve this greatly (will it ?). i currently get 3d
directional sound (ie can hear from what direction enemy is coming from),
but i still think it's poor, as sometimes i can't tell what direction
their
coming from and get killed. So if someone could share some of their
knowledge in finding the right sound card that would be great.

thanks
Jole

I'm really happy with my Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.
You can find them on eBay starting at $15

"jole" wrote in message
...
Hi
i recently bought a computer and have been getting into the gaming scene,
spending endless hours playing a game that i think is truly excellent -
Americas Army. Anyway, i just realized that my sound card probably
doesn't
compare much with what's out there. it's an onboard AC97 ALC650 sound
card
(on the motherboard). I'm looking to get a new sound card that will be
excellent for game playing. Could someone tell my what are some good
options, and also how my existing sound card compares to these. when i
play
AA, i currently get 3d sound using a headset, but i'm hoping that a
beefier
sound card will improve this greatly (will it ?). i currently get 3d
directional sound (ie can hear from what direction enemy is coming from),
but i still think it's poor, as sometimes i can't tell what direction
their
coming from and get killed. So if someone could share some of their
knowledge in finding the right sound card that would be great.

thanks
Jole

hi
the other day when i played AA, i was in this 'tunnel' and i heard a noise.
although i couldn't distinquish from which end of the tunnel the noise came
from. if i knew, i would have had a better chance at beating the enemy.
currently my sound device (on the motherboard) does provide 3d sound, but,
as in the above case, it could be better. I'll be looking into those cards
mentioned. hopefully there is a card out there that provides detailed
directional 3d audio sound.

thanks all
Jole

"jole" wrote in message
...
Hi
i recently bought a computer and have been getting into the gaming scene,
spending endless hours playing a game that i think is truly excellent -
Americas Army. Anyway, i just realized that my sound card probably
doesn't
compare much with what's out there. it's an onboard AC97 ALC650 sound
card
(on the motherboard). I'm looking to get a new sound card that will be
excellent for game playing. Could someone tell my what are some good
options, and also how my existing sound card compares to these. when i
play
AA, i currently get 3d sound using a headset, but i'm hoping that a
beefier
sound card will improve this greatly (will it ?). i currently get 3d
directional sound (ie can hear from what direction enemy is coming from),
but i still think it's poor, as sometimes i can't tell what direction
their
coming from and get killed. So if someone could share some of their
knowledge in finding the right sound card that would be great.

thanks
Jole

Try the Audigy Z2 Platinum. My speakers are only 2.1 but the software makes
it appear as though there are more. There is a setup test where you can
actually move the sound of the speaker to where it appears it is more of a
right angle to your ear than coming from the front (a slider control). I
swore it wouldn't work but it really does appear to move the speakers around
your head. Can't wait to move into the Creative Gigaworks 7.1 speaker setup
(another $400-500).
Also, having come off the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz there really is a
difference in quality (higher bit-rate). It's as though you just made the
move from non-stereo to CD, the difference is that great. They do provide a
demo CD in the setup where you can hear the difference between a CD audio
and a 5.1 or 7.1 DVD audio. Great difference!
Check out the reviews on TomsHardware.com

B~

Most sound cards offer reasonble "directional sound", and most have some
kind of "occlusion" effects too. Unfortunatly on may cards though the
effects are quite flat, equating to simple panning and use of filters

The best example I can think of is listening to the in base radio in the
game Battlefield Vietnam. Using a Santa Cruz card, the sound pans but the
quality remains the same where ever you are, but even with the panning it it
hard to pinpoint the source of the radio. With a Soundstorm equipped
motherboard, the radio is clearer and if you close your eyes you can locate
the speakers in the base, it just that the spacialisation doenst sound
realistic. Now doing the same test with the Audigy is quite weird; for a
start the sound quality while apparently "less clean" is much more as it
would be in that environment in real life, closing your eyes and finding the
speakers is a doddle, and rather than the flat panning provided by the other
two choices you do get a more realistic soundscape. Thats not to mention
the fact that walls, hangars even vehicles bring in their own occlusion
effects.

Crimson Liar


"jole" wrote in message
...
hi
the other day when i played AA, i was in this 'tunnel' and i heard a
noise.
although i couldn't distinquish from which end of the tunnel the noise
came
from. if i knew, i would have had a better chance at beating the enemy.
currently my sound device (on the motherboard) does provide 3d sound, but,
as in the above case, it could be better. I'll be looking into those
cards
mentioned. hopefully there is a card out there that provides detailed
directional 3d audio sound.

thanks all
Jole

"jole" wrote in message
...
Hi
i recently bought a computer and have been getting into the gaming
scene,
spending endless hours playing a game that i think is truly excellent -
Americas Army. Anyway, i just realized that my sound card probably
doesn't
compare much with what's out there. it's an onboard AC97 ALC650 sound
card
(on the motherboard). I'm looking to get a new sound card that will be
excellent for game playing. Could someone tell my what are some good
options, and also how my existing sound card compares to these. when i
play
AA, i currently get 3d sound using a headset, but i'm hoping that a
beefier
sound card will improve this greatly (will it ?). i currently get 3d
directional sound (ie can hear from what direction enemy is coming
from),
but i still think it's poor, as sometimes i can't tell what direction
their
coming from and get killed. So if someone could share some of their
knowledge in finding the right sound card that would be great.

thanks
Jole

hi

when i play AA i actually use headphones (cheap $20 AUS), so i wont have to
use the speakers. although, if the card can simulate speakers at right
angles using your standard 2-speaker setup + 1 bass speaker, than i'm
probably better off using them. although everyone plays with a headset as
they reckon it's better. i'm not sure though whether i should be getting a
really good sound card if my speakers aren't top quality as well. is it
still worth it? my speakers are your standard desktop speakers (sound
okay). maybe it's a bit silly getting a top sound card if you ain't got
special speakers.

also, what other alternatives are there that will support EAX and are also
cheaper than the audigy beast ? i saw a dolby EAX card (called
udacity' ). this was about 119 $AUS. i was hoping to find a 50-70 dollar
card that would be a great improvement from my onboard motherboard sound
card.

thanks
Jole


"jole" wrote in message
...
Hi
i recently bought a computer and have been getting into the gaming scene,
spending endless hours playing a game that i think is truly excellent -
Americas Army. Anyway, i just realized that my sound card probably
doesn't
compare much with what's out there. it's an onboard AC97 ALC650 sound
card
(on the motherboard). I'm looking to get a new sound card that will be
excellent for game playing. Could someone tell my what are some good
options, and also how my existing sound card compares to these. when i
play
AA, i currently get 3d sound using a headset, but i'm hoping that a
beefier
sound card will improve this greatly (will it ?). i currently get 3d
directional sound (ie can hear from what direction enemy is coming from),
but i still think it's poor, as sometimes i can't tell what direction
their
coming from and get killed. So if someone could share some of their
knowledge in finding the right sound card that would be great.

thanks
Jole