Jump4h Posted May 3, 2009 Posted May 3, 2009 (edited) I have a trouble deciding which to pick. I obviously dont care about the price as they cost rougly the same. I focus in gaming, and I also want to know if the card's are reliable (my last x-fi card broke, though I got the money back). Edited May 3, 2009 by Jump4h Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirloganthestud Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 To me, they both look like great cards. The only real difference seems to be the interface. The Xonar uses PCI, whereas the Sound Blaster uses PCI x1. PCI x1 is a faster interface, so that might make a slight difference. I'm not to familiar with the ASUS Xonar cards, but I know that X-Fis have onboard memory, called X-RAM. This memory isn't utilized by a whole lot of games, but it is utilized by games like Quake 4, Battlefield 2, Prey, Unreal Tournament 3, and more. Another difference that tilts the scales in the X-Fi's favor is the 5.25" bay controller. With the bay controller you can switch to gaming mode while fragging, you can plug your headset/microphone in, and more. Another difference is the I/O jacks on the card itself. If you hook your sound card up to an A/V receiver, or you want to hook up a gaming console (why you would want a gaming console other than a PC I don't know), this can make a difference. The X-Fi has a fiber optic (TOSLINK) output for A/V receivers, whereas the Xonar has a digital output. The same goes for input, X-Fi has TOSLINK, Xonar had digital. As aforementioned, I don't know much about the Xonars, but the X-Fi looks like a high quality product. I'm not sure how reliable they are, but the do have a 1 year parts and labor warranty that can be extended within the first 90 days of ownership. This extended warranty lasts for 2 years and only costs $13. Personally, I'd go with the X-Fi, but it's up to your preferences and needs. Hope that helped! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardnrg Posted June 12, 2009 Posted June 12, 2009 The Xonar uses PCI, whereas the Sound Blaster uses PCI x1. PCI x1 is a faster interface, so that might make a slight difference. No difference at all, audio cards don't use anywhere near the bandwidth of PCI/PCIe Another difference is the I/O jacks on the card itself. If you hook your sound card up to an A/V receiver, or you want to hook up a gaming console (why you would want a gaming console other than a PC I don't know), this can make a difference. The X-Fi has a fiber optic (TOSLINK) output for A/V receivers, whereas the Xonar has a digital output. The same goes for input, X-Fi has TOSLINK, Xonar had digital. The D2's digital input and outputs are combo jacks supporting coaxial digital via RCA/Phono *and* optical digital via TOSLink (there are adapters included) As aforementioned, I don't know much about the Xonars, but the X-Fi looks like a high quality product. In terms of audio quality, the D2 is in a different (higher) league. I would buy the D2 over any X-Fi... and that's my next soundcard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xPETEZx Posted June 15, 2009 Posted June 15, 2009 I have the Xonar D2, and LOVE IT! I highly recommend it. Having said that, I havent owned a creative card since the Win ME days, so I cant comment on the X-Fi. However, as I said, the Xonar is AWESOME! Sounds incredible, and rock-solid NO BS drivers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirloganthestud Posted June 15, 2009 Posted June 15, 2009 Thanks for clarifying those things hardnrg. I haven't owned either of these, but from an outsider looking in, it looks like the X-Fi is a better sound card. Anyone had any personal experiences with X-Fis? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenica Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 Currently using X-FI Xtreme Gamers card.. Although it may not be the same as the titanium.. Other then the improved outputs i think it has roughly the same specs as the xtreme gamer.. I've been reading good reviews about the Asus Xonar D2.. Given a choice i would go with the Xonar D2.. That's just my opinion.. Have you considered geting the Asus Essence STX..? I've read that it sounds better then Auzen prelude and the creative x-fi elite.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Compxpert Posted June 26, 2009 Posted June 26, 2009 (edited) Take it from the guy who has the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty... Get the D2. X-Fi does support DTS and dolby digital but Creative breaks that in its latest drivers and not to mention I have a incessant audio static that comes about from time to time. Worse of all I can't even get YouP-Pax drivers to work with the card even though they should work. I might sell my card and get a D2 my self... I know that all the problems it is having are related to Creative 64bit drivers but I have yet to see if the 32-bit ones work any better. Bottom line Creatives driver support is horrible. Edited June 26, 2009 by Compxpert Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenica Posted June 27, 2009 Posted June 27, 2009 I know that all the problems it is having are related to Creative 64bit drivers but I have yet to see if the 32-bit ones work any better. Bottom line Creatives driver support is horrible. Agree with Compxpert.. Creative driver support is horrible for 64-bit.. I was lucky enough to get 64-bit drivers that are actually working and do not crash.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
xPETEZx Posted June 27, 2009 Posted June 27, 2009 Just to contrast, I was running my D2 in XP PRo 32-bit, with NO problems, and have now moved to Vista 64-bit, and still have NO problems. Drivers work perfectly, no crashes, weird sounds or no-working functions! I love this card! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenica Posted June 28, 2009 Posted June 28, 2009 Just to contrast, I was running my D2 in XP PRo 32-bit, with NO problems, and have now moved to Vista 64-bit, and still have NO problems. Drivers work perfectly, no crashes, weird sounds or no-working functions! I love this card! Glad to hear that.. Driver problems always seem to affect people's decision in buying hardware.. Atleast that's what i think.. I'm considering getting the Asus Essence STX or Xonar D2 for my next soundcard.. Anyone has any experience with the STX..? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hardnrg Posted June 28, 2009 Posted June 28, 2009 I reviewed the STX here on OCC It is the best quality soundcard I have ever heard, but you do pay a fair bit more money for the STX/ST vs the D2X/D2. I think the price difference is justified if you are driving high end full size circumaural headphones directly from the soundcard, as you benefit from the onboard headphone amplifier. If you already have a high quality headphone amplifier, or don't have high end headphones, or don't use headphones at all, then just get the D2X/D2. I built my own headphone amp, so I don't actually *need* the onboard headphone amp, and am going to get the D2 instead. The sound quality is extremely close between the two, not enough difference to justify paying for the STX/ST without making use of the onboard headphone amp anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenica Posted June 28, 2009 Posted June 28, 2009 Awesome review there btw.. :thumbs-up: Btw hardnrg i was wondering.. You said that the STX has an onboard amp.. Will it be able to drive those low impedence headphones..? Wondering if they are capable of driving the AKG701s, Grados RS1 and the Senn HD 600..? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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