Review
- Introduction
- Specifications and Photos
- Hardware/Software Installation and functionality
- Gaming and Audio Performance
- Conclusion
Hardware and Software Installation.
Even though I use a micro ATX board and full length sound cards (like the ASUS Xonar DG) cannot fit as it interferes with the ram slots, there were no such problems with the Creative as its a full height but half length card.
The card seats itself on an empty PCI-E x1 slot and thankfully the sound card is fully powered by the PCI-E slot and doesn’t require any additional power.
The card was instantly detected upon boot and driver installation was hassle free.
Software functionality
The drivers provide features voice processing, Dolby Digital Live surround sound, THX TruStudio Pro Surround plus the usual bass enhancement, equalizer settings and volume normalisation that you’ll find in most audio drivers.
Dolby Digital Live surround sound adds extra effects for movie buffs but whether you will like these effects or not is not certain as I frankly preferred not to use them.
THX TruStudio Pro Surround adds the feeling of having a surround sound system even if you are using just a headphone or a two speaker system. Again its something of a hit and miss as some would like the effects but some may not.
There’s also a rather nifty Scout mode, which enhances the sounds made by other players – such as footsteps and gunshots – thus making their position easier to pinpoint in games. This is one feature I quite liked and made life a wee bit easier in Call of duty. This is useful for FPS games only. Didn’t feel of much use in 3rd person shooter games like the Mass Effect series.
