rec.autos.simulators

> reckoned:

> > I gave up on Creative and
> >went with a Hercules Fortissimo III.  A whole new world of frustration
> >was opened up.  The sound in GPL was improved but not fully rectified,
> >but worse it introduced real *** GPL stutters.  

> Hmm, I have a FortissimoII and never experienced those problems. You
> did get the latest drivers, right?

>Hercules Game Theather XP 6.1

> If ya want all that Larry mentions and a little better sound at a higher
> price then go with the Audigy2.  I never had any problems with the Santa
> Cruz though and can recommend it for the price.  If quality sound is what
> you want then the Audigy 2 has an edge.  Im no audiophile by any stretch
but
> I can tell a difference for both MP3's and games.  In NR2003 I run all
> sounds including 3d and get no noticeable FPS hit.  You can really pickup
> the small ambient sounds while still getting the full roar of the engine.
I
> don't run any old software so I cant comment on whether GPL/F4 will work.
I
> paid $99 after a rebate and would say it's well worth $20 more than the
SC,
> although I got my SC for $49 almost a year ago.

> Yeah yeah I know all about creative and there***poor driver updates
(had
> em all since the original 8bit) but the Audigy 2 was designed for XP and
XP
> will be around till 05' so I feel pretty safe as far as compatibility for
at
> least 3 years.   When longhorn ships my advice will be to wait on any
> Creative purchases ;))

> Mitch

> > Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.

> > Solid hardware, solid drivers, NO PCI ISSUES!, and it plays nice with
> other
> > hardware.

> > Supports 5.1, Digital, and most common formats.

> > $79 Retail.  Ya can't beat it.

> > Larry

> > > Your recommendations.

> > > /Igor

> Same here: TBSC.  Best sound card I've ever used.  Low cpu utilization,
> excellent stability, compatible with everything and sounds GREAT.

> BTW, anyone remember buying their first sound card?  I remember using the
> built-in PC speaker (playing Wing Commander IIRC) until a guy at a
computer
> game store about 13 years ago convinced me that a sound card makes a big
> difference.  So I ran out and bought a sound blaster 16 (?) and slapped it
> in my 286 12 Mhz speed demon.  It's amazing how far we've come.

> --
> Joe M.

> > Turtle Beach/Santa Cruz

> > >>Your recommendations.

> > >>/Igor

> > > A bit like ATI (drivers - but they're getting there)or Gainward (huge
> > > numbers of returns) Gfx cards, IBM Hard drives ( had 6 at work. All 6
> have
> > > died), myself, I steer clear of the Sound Blaster range

> > > I have a Hercules Game Theater XP - and it's fantastic

> > > Doug

> something like this:

> >Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.

> >Solid hardware, solid drivers, NO PCI ISSUES!, and it plays nice with
other
> >hardware.

> But there are issues with GPL and Hitman 2 in WinXP. GPL issues are
> easy to overcome, but with Hitman 2 it's either no music (which is
> pretty essential in this game, IMO), or no hardware acceleration (hit
> on fps and no 3D sounds).

> Other than that, it's a great card. Couldn't notice any difference in
> sound quality when compared to SB Live 5.1 though, but that's probably
> due to my poor monitor speakers (Nokia 447XPro)... but I did get rid
> of the stuttering in GPL when I ditched the SB card =)
> --
> - JKo -

> On Thu, 20 Feb 2003 09:34:01 +0100, "Ed Solheim"

> >Hercules Game Theather XP 6.1

> I had one of those and it kicked ass.  Currently running a Hercules
> Fortissimo III 7.1 and it kicks ass as well.  I could never say a bad
> thing about either Hercules or Turtle Beach.

> Jason

>No GPL/WinXP issues here.

>Larry

>> something like this:

>> >Turtle Beach Santa Cruz.

>> >Solid hardware, solid drivers, NO PCI ISSUES!, and it plays nice with
>other
>> >hardware.

>> But there are issues with GPL and Hitman 2 in WinXP. GPL issues are
>> easy to overcome, but with Hitman 2 it's either no music (which is
>> pretty essential in this game, IMO), or no hardware acceleration (hit
>> on fps and no 3D sounds).

>> Other than that, it's a great card. Couldn't notice any difference in
>> sound quality when compared to SB Live 5.1 though, but that's probably
>> due to my poor monitor speakers (Nokia 447XPro)... but I did get rid
>> of the stuttering in GPL when I ditched the SB card =)
>> --
>> - JKo -