New Vrs Old. This is in between. Better or Worse?
Written: Oct 17 '01 (Updated Oct 19 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cheep, PC Standard, Nice Sound
Cons: Seems to buffer sound, poor Win 2k drivers
The Bottom Line: Affordable, Compatible, Decent Sound, I would recommend to anyone who needs a basic sound card that is reliable, and compatible. For the price it cant be beat.
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| Syntax's Full Review: Creative Sound Blaster PCI128 |
I've owned Sound Blaster cards in all my machines. Computer after computer I built I ripped my SB32 out and moved it to my new machine. Finally ISA slots were completely removed from motherboard architechture. I was forced to buy another Sound Blaster. I personally was completely satisfied with my SB32 I had for 4 years.
Compared to my SB32
I loved my Sb32, never had a problem with it.. Right off the bat I had a problem getting the SB 128PCI installed in Windows 2000. The cd it came with had Windows 2000 drivers but I had a few problems getting them working correctly.
I downloaded updated drivers from Creative's website. They worked great. I only wish I didnt have to have downloaded them at first.
Another thing I liked about my Sb32 was the IDE controller it had on it.. It worked great for CDrom and Zip Drive, It freed up my IDE cables on the motherboard for more critical devices like DVD, Hard Drives and Burners. Installing slow devices on those cables will slow down your hard drives. Which is why having a ATA33 controller is an advantage. I lost that with the PCI, and now Im going out to buy an additional controller for my computer.
Function of the SB128, Good and Bad
So far Ive used my new card for a few things, Ive played MP3's of course, they sound about the same as my SB32.
I played some games, the sound on those is much better than before, my only complaint it when I play mp3's stop them, and then click something, the first click sounds like part of the song. Im guessing this is due to some type of buffering the card does. It dosnt seem to clear the buffer though when you move to another task.
A little Technical Info
Soundblaster names thier cards by the number of samples within the wavetable. The 128 has a synthesis of 128 voices within its wave table. The PCI bus with 64 bit technology lets the soundcard use more bandwith and less processor.
The card has a (Mic In)(Speaker Out)(Line In) and then 1 port which is selectable as a (Aux In) or (Aux Out) via the speaker setup menu in the sound playback settings of the control panel.
Also for use as a rear channel output. The other benifit is that on retail versions there is a jumper to amplify the port. The OEM version does not support it.
The card itself has 3 inputs. Support for Aux input inside the computer via cd audio cable, CD input, and TV/Tuner input. Which came in handy for my All in Wonder video Card.
How it Ranks Against Other Cards
Ive used the 128 Live card, the SB16 SB32, and cards by other companies than Creative Labs. I myself have never heard a large difference in these cards. However lately, sound card companies have been putting out support for Dolby, Digital inputs, fiber, Firewire, Multi speaker outputs, as well as many other features. The SB128 offers multispeaker support, front and rear, but not true surround, its simulated. As far as the other features those are only offered by the new Audigy and Panasonic cards.
As far as its comparison to its predicesors, its a good card, I cant say great because of the buffer problem and the install problem I had. Compared to the newest cards, its basic, it does its job, and its dirt cheep. The cheepest audio card I can get is 14.00 and its pretty cheep as far as design and function. The Sb128 is only 10.00 more wholesale and offered alot more s far as quality and function.
Overall
Overall this card meets my needs, and does everything I need, it was affordable, it is compatible, it sounds good, and Im overall satisfied with the product. I can see improvements. Nothing major, but for such low cost, it was well worth the upgrade.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 24.00
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Epinions.com ID:
Syntax
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Member: Paul Germer
Reviews written: 181
Trusted by: 11 members
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