>On my current machine, I have a T2 plugged into the gameport of an old
>SB16. This was quite ok for ICR2, but I feel I need all the help I can
>get when GPL arrives here. In calibration, it seems as if the wheel is
>a bit too nervous around the center.
>I heard that digital gameports will help reducing CPU workload as well
>as eliminate random spikes. I don't have the money to buy that
>fabulous digital gamecard I read about here (don't remember the name,
>though), but since it's about time to upgrade my soundcard anyway, I
>thought I might get one with a digital gameport. What card would you
>suggest?
>--
I've had good success with the gameport on my Turtle Beach Montego
A3DXstream, and it sounds pretty good to me also. While it won't do
anything for GPL, the Aureal 3D sound in games that use it is pretty
amazing. It does work better with a faster system (mainly the 3D effects),
so might not be the trick for a P200 or less, works real well on my P2-400,
but you'd still probably see faster framerates than with the SB 16, and
better joystick response. I've seen in some reviews that the Montego
gameport acheives about 66% of the acceleration that the PDPI gameport does,
and of course helps your sound too :-)
If you can wait a while, there are a number of newer soundcards coming out
soon. My built-in on the motherboard Ensoniq Audio PCI started getting
weird on joystick response, and then weird with sound, so I had to have a
new card, and couldn't wait. This card was $100, a very similar card can be
had for $60 or less (Xitel Storm VX and Aztech 338 PCI use the same Vortex
chipset, as do some others) - and I'd imagine if you wait awhile, they'll be
even cheaper. A newer Vortex 2 chipset is coming soon, and will be in cards
such as the Diamond MX300 and TB Montego 2, and should work better on slower
systems. Another card out now is the Soundblaster Live, which can be had
for $100 for the Value edition, and has had many good reviews. The gameport
ISN'T accelerated like on the Vortex cards, but has been reported to work
well.
The thing here is game support, right now the Vortex and A3D have more
support, but the SB Live and it's EAX may get more in the future. You might
want to wait a bit, see how this sorts out, and for prices to settle a bit.
But I'd say a MX300 or a Live Value for $100 would be a good purchase.
Ken
