NGOHQ grabbed an X-Fi XtremeMusic from the closest hardware store and checked it out on the following motherboards: Asus M2R32-MVP, Asus A8N-SLI, Asus A8N32-SLI, ECS RS482-M and Gigabyte GA-965P. They used Windows XP SP2 with the latest updates and the latest drivers for all the devices. They also used the latest BIOS versions and ensured that the X-Fi was not sharing an IRQ with any other device by plugging it into a non-shared PCI slot. Here's an excerpt:

In our test we saw that two motherboards out of five caused the X-Fi to produce crackling and popping noises. But, beyond that, we saw that X-Fi's driver is simply bloatware and amateurish code. Personally, I have nothing against Creative Labs. I honestly believe that there is a place and need for audio solutions. There is a place for the latest X-Fi products and I've always thought that. I even remember the good old days of the Sound Blaster Pro, 16 and AWE. However, Creative has to do a lot of thinking and make a lot of changes, because they are currently disappointing and losing users of their products. They have a lot of potential and I believe in them. But, they must make some changes for the next product launch. They must get rid of that bloatware thing that they call a driver. They need to lose all the current developers, hire new ones and get some good hotshot software development manager; and write new and professional software for their hardware.

Software is not enough here - they need to start following books and standards and make their products run on EVERY motherboard. They need to test it on every motherboard before they launch it to the market to ensure their products are working and bug-free. They need to improve their cooperation with motherboard manufacturers and make their products 100% certified for the PCI (or PCI Express) specification - including making their hardware/software capable to work with PCI IRQ Sharing.

Beyond software and hardware they need to treat their customers better because too many people are complaining about lack of support. Their forums have turned into a full time battlefield (Why play Battlefield 2142 when you can fight for free on their forums?). That includes proper driver updates and public relations. (Not these viral marketers/employees that are sent to flame us on a few forums).

In addition, their X-Fi prices are extremely overpriced and unattractive. Why would anyone pay so much to buy some product that doesn't even have native SPDIF/DDL outputs? So, instead of making front panels, ridiculous Fatal1ty marketing, they should do something useful and smart. Anyway, if Creative Labs will start making these changes I mentioned they might have a chance and convince us to stop using the onboard Realtek audio, and to buy their products. Creative has to make changes and shake the entire company if they wish to impress us. Instead of blaming other manufacturers and DDR Dual Channel and IRQ Sharing, they should investigate research and make changes because they are the ones selling the cards, not the others. Blaming others is not helping. They should take action themselves. Until then, if anyone asks me what I think about X-Fi, I will simply say, "Crap, it isn't worth your money."