Go into bios and DISABLE the Microsoft default sound drivers. I had to use PC Tools to get rid of a particularly troublesome Creative tools file.
Uninstall all previous sound drivers from your computer, especially if you had a previous Creative card. Go to to download latest drivers and application files. Overall Review: Don't use the included disk unless you've never had a sound card before this one installed in your machine. Saved a x16 PCIe slot since the card works in a X1 PCI slot.Ĭons: Installation instructions need some work since it appears that many of us had problems installing the drivers in Vista 64 machines. So the other factors have to persuade you. If you don’t’ believe me, go to creative site and pull up the specs of both cards on two separate tabs and see for yourself. However, I want to emphasize that this card has THE EXACT SAME technology in it as the Fatal1ty Xtreme Gamer (except for the DDL). It makes you feel like you are more in the game. DO IT! I demand premium sound and I will pay the price for it. If you want the DDL, a separated mic port, Optical In and Out, Front Audio and Mic capabilities, improved (but not perfect) drivers, the auto mode switchers, a 4th input for your 7.1 speakers (yep it has another line for that), and you think its worth the extra money.
Like I said above, anyone will hear a drastic improvement from the Audigy or XtremeMusic, but the other cards not as much. Overall Review: Hopefully this review helps you I may post a video review to do an in-depth look at the card. If there weren’t any cons, it’d be 5 eggs. I have tried in both Entertainment and Game Mode, yet it still doesn’t comply.
However, to get around it, I still program the settings that I want, then I find a full server, try to enter it, when I get the “full” screen, the sound comes back. When I do that, it says that I don’t have the hardware for the settings. I have to redo the sound settings every time I run the game.
But creative….Get a driver for a mic boost:) Lastly, with battlefield 2142, the sound card is not recognized right away. However, probably 80% of the time I have been fine. I do voice chat with my friends on Xfire, and sometimes I am crystal clear, other times I am really soft. I had to format:( As other reviews have stated, there is no mic boost yet, but I have only had problems with that off and on.
The Auto Mode Switcher is great! The Default mode changes based on your preferences to game or program.Ĭons: I tried to strip the drivers before I installed the new card to get a fresh start, but I may have done it wrong, but the card’s software was not fully functional. The software and drivers are better, but still room for improvement (see below). I own the Z5500's and while I have a tuned ear, the average person would still be able to tell the better utilization of the center channel and the rest of the speakers. If you like the idea of a Digital signal encoded in real time, DDL does that! I have a 25' optical cable and it works beautifully.
However, PCI-E was an improvement for my system, IT MAY NOT BE FOR YOURS. If you get the "crackle" from a crummy bus system (like the ASUS P5B Deluxe), UPGRADE. If you own the first two, and you care about premium sound, UPGRADE! I upgraded for the separated mic port, the Digital Dolby Live, and the PCI-E. I have owned the Audigy 2, XtremeMusic, XtremeGamer Fatal1ty, and now the Titanium. Pros: I hopefully can write this review to help those of you decided whether or not to upgrade. Internet connection to download PowerDVD softwareĪccurate 3D positional audio with X-Fi CMSS-3DĪdditional Information Date First Available
Intel Pentium 4, AMD Athlon or equivalent 1.6 GHz processorĪvailable PCI Express slot (x1, x4 or x16) Microsoft Windows Vista (Service Pack 1) or Windows XP (圆4, Service Pack 2 or Media Center Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Learn more about the Creative Labs 70SB088600002 Model Brand