bit-tech Shopping: Creative SB X-Fi XtremeGamer

• Dolby Digital EX
• DTS Digital Theater Systems
• THX-Certified

• Audio - Bass Audio Out Jack
• Audio - Center Audio Out Jack
• Audio - Front Surround Audio Out Jack
• Audio - Headphone Out (1/8" Mini)
• Audio - Line In (1/8" Mini)
• Audio - Microphone In (1/8" Mini)
• Audio - Optical (S/PDIF)
• Audio - Rear Surround Audio Out Jack
• Audio - Side Surround Out (1/8" mini)

Rating: 6

Time with product: 1 Year

Strengths: Great performance, sound, price, and size

Weaknesses: Needs support for Vista environment

Summary: Overall I'm thrilled with this card, but since having to upgrade from XP to Vista, drivers are still in need of work for the Vista system. I've gotten everything to work except for the microphone input, so no voice chat while you're gaming on a Vista system. I've had to revert back to the on board sound and disable my SB card in order to handle voice. If you've got Vista, might want to hold off on this card purchase until you know the drivers are working for it.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1

Strengths: low cpu usageexcellent audio

Weaknesses: limited inputs

Summary: I replaced the onboard audio with an Audigy2 ZS card, but that started making pops and crackles under Vista. Replaced that card with this xtremegamer and I couldn't be happier. Works great, sounds great, no real CPU usage. Buy this one!

Rating: 10

Time with product: 7 Days

Strengths: Decent price, a boat-load of features, optical and coax outputs. easy to use software

Weaknesses: None

Summary: This device, coupled with my Z-5500 Logitech speaker system can really make my windows rattle! The only problem is that my wife won?t let me use it to its full potential while she?s home =( I use my system mostly for gaming and the surround sound, crisp audio, booming base, and directionality is awesome! Now that I?m playing games with the new sound card/speakers, I feel like I?m hearing whole new games.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1

Strengths: Low price, no frills, huge improvement over onboard sound.

Weaknesses: This is the entry level card in the X-Fi series, and it being the basic one, it has no onboard x-ram like the higher priced X-Fi cards do.

Summary: Once I put it in and started up the computer I went straight to Creative's site and downloaded the latest drivers, I didn't even touch the CD that came with it. I can notice a HUGE improvement in sound quality in games and in music playback. However, the card is incompatible with my front panel audio inputs, and I have not gotten the mic to work with it yet, but for the price I'm not complaining.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Week

Strengths: Excellent sound, reduced size comparing to other SB sound cards, front panel connector.

Weaknesses: Line-in and microphone share the same jack.

Summary: I brought this soundcard to replace my SB Live. Like what many of the other reviewers said, the difference is really quite amazing. MP3, movies sounds a lot better and clearer than my old card. For Vista users, make sure you download the latest driver from Creative. The driver online is actually smaller (still 50mb) than the one that came with the disc, which I actually like better, it has all the functionalities I need and uses less system resource.