|
Sound Blaster X-Fi Issues Explored - TechAmok
Sound Blaster X-Fi Issues Explored - [hardware] 04:36 PM EST - Jan,02 2007 - post a comment 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."
|
|
Add your comment (free registrationrequired)
Short overview of recent news articles |
Apr,17 2024 These games carry REAL security risks! BEWARE! Apr,17 2024 Visible First to Offer Annual Payment Plan, with Discount up to 26% Apr,17 2024 Is Coding Still Worth Learning in 2024? Apr,17 2024 All New Atlas - Boston Dynamics Apr,16 2024 The NEW Chip Inside Your Phone! (NPUs) Apr,16 2024 XPS 14 vs 14" MacBook Pro - Apple just KILLED Intel! Apr,15 2024 The Most 2024 Laptop - Razer Blade 14 Review Apr,15 2024 NEVER install these programs on your PC... EVER!!! Apr,14 2024 Use Live Translate on Galaxy S24 series to translate a call's Apr,14 2024 I Tried a Non-Invasive Blood Sugar Watch. Miracle or Scam? Apr,13 2024 Samsung Galaxy Ring - This Just Got Interesting Apr,13 2024 Piracy Is Over Party - WAN Show April 12, 2024 Apr,13 2024 Conan O'Brien Needs a Doctor While Eating Spicy Wings Apr,13 2024 Beatbox Jcob recreats every sound Apr,13 2024 Intel is Gunning for NVIDIA Apr,13 2024 Building a Budget DIY Home Surveillance System Apr,12 2024 Lenovo Yoga Buyers Guide - What's the Best Thin and Light Laptop Apr,11 2024 DARK MATTER Trailer (2024) New Sci-Fi Movies 4K Apr,11 2024 How to Build a PC, the last guide you'll ever need! (2024 Update) Apr,10 2024 Intel 300 CPU Review - The Pentium Replacement is Finally Here... Apr,10 2024 Wubuntu, the Dubious Linux Windows Apr,09 2024 A Lite Version Of Windows 11 To Be Released This Year Apr,09 2024 This $150 Smartphone might be All You Need Apr,09 2024 I Can't Believe These are Real - Reacting to Ridiculous PCs on Apr,08 2024 A new video shows AirPower prototype charging an Apple Watch Apr,08 2024 Google Deleting Incognito Data, Intel $7B Foundry Loss, $350+ Curved Apr,08 2024 20 COOL GADGETS YOU SHOULD SEE Apr,08 2024 New HTTP/2 vulnerability leaves servers in danger of devastating DoS Apr,07 2024 3D Printed PC Fan Test: Does the Anti-Stall Ring Boost Performance? Apr,06 2024 The Greatest GPU of All Time: NVIDIA GTX 1080 Ti & GTX 1080 2024 Apr,06 2024 Top NEW RELEASES on Netflix in APRIL 2024 Apr,05 2024 Magician vs Slow-Mo Camera (Skill Challenge) Apr,05 2024 Re-Ranking All Current GPUs From Worst to Best (2024 Update) Apr,04 2024 Ripple to ISSUE STABLE COIN utilizing XRP AUTO-Bridging Function Apr,04 2024 HW News - Intel Battlemage Appears, Open Source GPU, Xbox Handheld Apr,03 2024 Vivo X Fold 3 Pro Hands-On: The New Best Foldable Hardware Apr,02 2024 OPNSense: Protect Your Home LAN With a Transparent Filtering Bridge Mar,31 2024 Ultimate Guide to Virtualization: Run MacOS, Linux, and Windows all Mar,31 2024 This MIGHT be the best NAS on the market Mar,31 2024 What do Zen 5, Arc Battlemage and NVIDIA RTX 50 GPUs Have In Common?
>> News Archive <<
| |
|