If there wasn't the Fatality BS with the card and the associated extra costs, I would probably buy one now. Hey its great for someone who wants a flashy red computer, with 450 different logos of Fatality plastered all over it that idolize thier hero, but to me its just another way for me to pay more money so some other guy can get a better computer. At the very least they could have made a Fatality version and an Identical mainstream version without the marketing hype, so all the Fatality fanboys could be happy while the rest of us get more of what we paid for. Unfortunately thats not the way it works. Think Ill stick with the Audigy for now and see if they come out with a regular Gamers card.
This card is nice and all, but I've still not seen a card that would work in my type of setup...
Here's my situation: a main set of 5.1 speakers in my computer room, a 2 channel lead out to my amp in my living room, and another 2 channel to my TV (to go with the video lead from my computer), and yet another lead for my headphones. In my current setup I've got to modify all my speaker settings when I want to watch a movie from my TV, dumbing it down from 5.1 to 2 channel, same deal with my headphones.
Currently what I do is run a splitter on my front speaker plug, run one line to my TV, and the other to my front speakers. My amp still doesn't have audio, so I've got to run that through my TV (wich results in extremely low quality), and I've got to boost the volume on my front speakers as they're now quieter.
Originally Posted by dom_ no one would buy the fatality one though if a normal one was offered for less.
The Fatal1ty is pure branding, the price is irrelevant when looking at performance. The Elite Pro version costs more but adds higher quality components where as the platinum version offers the same features minus the X-ram for less. Plenty of choice for everyone and that does not include the Music Xtreme without the I/O module which is even less expensive. ;)
If I had other cards then I would but the Emu range of cards are strictly pro whereas the X-Fi is a consumer card. I do have an original Live but I did not compare it due to its age and obsolescence. I actually think that this is the best all rounder for the majority of folks. I personally would not upgrade from an Audigy 2 card purely on sound quality grounds. It is the extra features which make the X-Fi desirable.
ok, but it would still be nice to have some reference to how good the sq is.
its like saying a sandwich tastes real nice, but without saying this sandwich is nicer than a subway's blah blah i would have no idea what nice meant.
For everyone blaming Fatal1ty because this card is £160, just stop. Yes, he will be getting some sort of royalty, but margins in the PC industry are thin, so it's not even going to be £5 per card tbh.
If you think this card is more expensive to make because of the LED Fatal1ty logo, you should know that on the other cards, it's a blue X-Fi logo, so no difference there. It's just marketing: not to make you pay more *because* it's Fatal1ty, but to generate some interest from gamers because he's on the box.
In the history of selling stuff, it's hardly a new tactic. Creative could've branded it 'Xtreme Gamer' and put some sort of CG dragon on the box like all the graphics card guys do, but it's easier for people to just say "I want the Fatal1ty version". Plus, for people who don't understand the techie bits, they might be swayed from having the CPL World Champ on the box.
Either way, the card still kicks ass, whoever is on the box. If you can't afford it just now, I'm sure the pricing will settle down over time. Audigys were this pricey to start with, as was the LIVE! so just keep an eye on things.
Originally Posted by The_Pope Plus, for people who don't understand the techie bits, they might be swayed from having the CPL World Champ on the box.
Maybe it's just me, but I think that if they recognize on sight #1 computer gamer in the world (supposedly), they would know about the tech bits. Maybe that's just my way of thinking though.
No, what I mean is, bloke walks into PCWorld / Best Buy and wants to buy a soundcard and / or spec a new PC up.
Bloke: I don't know nothing about sound blasters - which one is good?
Salesman: It depends on your needs, sir. Do you want to make music on your PC, or do you maybe play lots of games like DOOM3 and F.E.A.R.?
Bloke: Yeah, I'm well hardcore, me - I 0wns j00.
Salesman: Ah, you'll be wanting the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatl1ty FPS then.
Bloke: What's a Fatal1ty?
Salesman: He's the #1 professional gamer in the world, sir. He is multiple CPL World Champion, and tours the world playing games for a living, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money and endorsements. This is the soundcard he uses.
Bloke: OMFG - I want one!!!111
Salesman: Would you like fries with that?
------------
Basically, informed techies, like bit-tech readers, will understand that this is a kick-ass card with a 'celebrity' endorsement - they'd buy it even without the name. But for the less techie Joe Publics, it adds some weight to the sales pitch, beyond just "it's the best for games, honest".
Basically, informed techies, like bit-tech readers, will understand that this is a kick-ass card with a 'celebrity' endorsement - they'd buy it even without the name. But for the less techie Joe Publics, it adds some weight to the sales pitch, beyond just "it's the best for games, honest".
why would they put his name on it, besides for that reason
I just want an X-Fi with an external breakout box :'( (and obviously don't want to spend a months wages on a sound card).
I'd personally not buy one of these, purely because of the Fatal1ty branding on it. I was hoping that Abit was the only company to be using this cheesy marketing.
Meh, I'll stick to buying my M-Audio sound cards. At least when I buy M-Audio, I know I'm getting the specs that are on the box unlike with the first Audigy.
Originally Posted by DivineSin I wonder how this would compare with the EMU (0404, 1212M) line or even a AV-710 for sound quality?
Better than the AV-710 (the onboard DACs are better, it doesn't have a problem with 44KHz resampling anymore at least in Creation mode, the digital outs are still probably on par though). The Elite Uber Platinum Pro (or whatever it's called) has the same DACs as the 1212M, but as for sound quality I'm not sure. I'd guess that the 0404 and 1212M are both slightly better than this when it comes down to it.
Apparently the E-MU guys will be getting their hands on the X-Fi technology and making a proper music card in the near future, though I'm not sure if that's just idle rumour or not.
Maybe you are future-proofing by buying this for the X-RAM feature, but possibly by the time you find something to use this you'l be wondering why its a PCI not PCI Express card.
I'm just wondering why the reviewer didn't mention the Platinum version? The only difference I can spot is half the X-ram. Or are there more differences?
But I'm looking forward to having the X-Fi in my setup, be it in a week or a year, I'm getting it.. :)
I'm building a computer and have chosen to put this card in there. I was going to go with an audigy 4, but I wanted to move up to the X-Fi and want the front interface.
As I was in Portsmouth I decided I would pop into Novatech and buy the X-Fi Fata1lty and OMG it's fabulous, the sound quality is just so good it's unbelievable. Playing BF2 with the sound set to ultra just produces much more realistic sounds than my onboard audio on the lanparty.
Even though it's a bit expensive, I would say it's worth it for the gaming experience. Dell 2005FPW + 7800GTX + X-Fi FPS = cool gaming, even though that now means I have 2 Fatal1ty products in my computer :o
Comments 26 to 50 of 54
Here's my situation: a main set of 5.1 speakers in my computer room, a 2 channel lead out to my amp in my living room, and another 2 channel to my TV (to go with the video lead from my computer), and yet another lead for my headphones. In my current setup I've got to modify all my speaker settings when I want to watch a movie from my TV, dumbing it down from 5.1 to 2 channel, same deal with my headphones.
Currently what I do is run a splitter on my front speaker plug, run one line to my TV, and the other to my front speakers. My amp still doesn't have audio, so I've got to run that through my TV (wich results in extremely low quality), and I've got to boost the volume on my front speakers as they're now quieter.
I just can't win :'(
The Fatal1ty is pure branding, the price is irrelevant when looking at performance. The Elite Pro version costs more but adds higher quality components where as the platinum version offers the same features minus the X-ram for less. Plenty of choice for everyone and that does not include the Music Xtreme without the I/O module which is even less expensive. ;)
its like saying a sandwich tastes real nice, but without saying this sandwich is nicer than a subway's blah blah i would have no idea what nice meant.
If you think this card is more expensive to make because of the LED Fatal1ty logo, you should know that on the other cards, it's a blue X-Fi logo, so no difference there. It's just marketing: not to make you pay more *because* it's Fatal1ty, but to generate some interest from gamers because he's on the box.
In the history of selling stuff, it's hardly a new tactic. Creative could've branded it 'Xtreme Gamer' and put some sort of CG dragon on the box like all the graphics card guys do, but it's easier for people to just say "I want the Fatal1ty version". Plus, for people who don't understand the techie bits, they might be swayed from having the CPL World Champ on the box.
Either way, the card still kicks ass, whoever is on the box. If you can't afford it just now, I'm sure the pricing will settle down over time. Audigys were this pricey to start with, as was the LIVE! so just keep an eye on things.
http://www.lowestonweb.com/Products/DisplayInfoMain.asp?e=231AA27A-604C-49B9-8BBA-EF104310BC45
Bloke: I don't know nothing about sound blasters - which one is good?
Salesman: It depends on your needs, sir. Do you want to make music on your PC, or do you maybe play lots of games like DOOM3 and F.E.A.R.?
Bloke: Yeah, I'm well hardcore, me - I 0wns j00.
Salesman: Ah, you'll be wanting the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatl1ty FPS then.
Bloke: What's a Fatal1ty?
Salesman: He's the #1 professional gamer in the world, sir. He is multiple CPL World Champion, and tours the world playing games for a living, and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money and endorsements. This is the soundcard he uses.
Bloke: OMFG - I want one!!!111
Salesman: Would you like fries with that?
------------
Basically, informed techies, like bit-tech readers, will understand that this is a kick-ass card with a 'celebrity' endorsement - they'd buy it even without the name. But for the less techie Joe Publics, it adds some weight to the sales pitch, beyond just "it's the best for games, honest".
why would they put his name on it, besides for that reason
I'd personally not buy one of these, purely because of the Fatal1ty branding on it. I was hoping that Abit was the only company to be using this cheesy marketing.
Better than the AV-710 (the onboard DACs are better, it doesn't have a problem with 44KHz resampling anymore at least in Creation mode, the digital outs are still probably on par though). The Elite Uber Platinum Pro (or whatever it's called) has the same DACs as the 1212M, but as for sound quality I'm not sure. I'd guess that the 0404 and 1212M are both slightly better than this when it comes down to it.
Apparently the E-MU guys will be getting their hands on the X-Fi technology and making a proper music card in the near future, though I'm not sure if that's just idle rumour or not.
I'll hold to bu Audigy 2 for a while yet.
BTW, agree the Zalman headphones are great stuff.
But I'm looking forward to having the X-Fi in my setup, be it in a week or a year, I'm getting it.. :)
<A88>
Even though it's a bit expensive, I would say it's worth it for the gaming experience. Dell 2005FPW + 7800GTX + X-Fi FPS = cool gaming, even though that now means I have 2 Fatal1ty products in my computer :o