Now I remember why I never buy Creative Labs products. You would think that a company as big as Creative Labs would be bullet proof, but don't be mislead. It is all coming back to me...the old days of fighting to get their products working correctly with marginal driver support. This is why I have not bought a Creative Labs sound card for years.

A very large part of the Windows 2000 and Windows XP users are having serious sound issues with this card. A smaller number of Windows 98 users also have issues. This card can be a never ending trail of fixes and tweaks. Even when you get this card working you will hear occasional pops and hisses. There is no excuse for that in a $100 card. Read the side of their own box. "GAMES MAY NOT WORK OPTIMALLY UNDER WINDOWS 2000." Hmmm...sound like a warning sign to you?

Don't bother calling tech support unless your computer knowledge is zero. It is the usual group of guys who are looking at the same Internet support site that you can see at Creative Labs. Blah blah blah, they offer nothing of value above what is in the knowledge base.

Also, don't be fooled by some on-line retailers that show product reviews from users. Remember, they filter the reviews that are actually seen. Plus, many of those reviewers are advanced computer users who have the time and ego :) to trouble-shoot the card for weeks if not months.

Basically this card is a crap shoot. I have had some machines that it works very nicely on with great sound, but I have also had an equal number of machines become a nightmare of issues. When is works it sounds very good, but when it does not...look out.

One last thing. This review applies to all the Audigy based boards, Gamer, MP3+, etc... Also, be sure to check around about Creative Labs claims of 24-bit 96kHz/100dB SNR. I think you will be surprised.

Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 99.00