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General discussion

A Few Questions

Dec 3, 2009 4:20AM PST

I have a Dell C521 desktop with a bad integrated sound card and am looking for a new USB Sound Card. I was toying around with purchasing http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102020 which is a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 SB1090 5.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz USB Interface Sound Card.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Discussion is locked

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Two names and no names.
Dec 3, 2009 4:49AM PST

I stick to Creative Labs, Turtle Beach and then I carry a cheapie for emergency or testing. Here's the cheapie that is NOT going to cost much.
http://www.geeks.com/products_sc.asp?cat=762 (I have the current 7 dollar black one.)

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Uh....
Dec 3, 2009 4:56AM PST

I like the small ones can they be used on Desktops?

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Probably can but, for that price,
Dec 3, 2009 7:12AM PST

I don't see it as solving your problem. You said your not happy with the sound quality of your MB audio so I can't see that a cheap solution will fix that.

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I want to stick to my answer.
Dec 3, 2009 8:32AM PST

I use the cheapie in a pinch or for testing. The preferred names are still my favs but to sniff out issues those cheap things do help.

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Well....
Dec 3, 2009 9:31AM PST

I had an integrated sound card that came with an older dell that I had. The port for which things are plugged into broke and now I can plug things in but they dont stay plugged in. So the work-around was to buy an external sound card.

Thats it in a nutshell!!

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Then the cheapie.
Dec 3, 2009 10:20AM PST

Would stand in as replacement but not an upgrade to the onboard sound.

I prefer these sub 10 buck solutions for older gear.
Bob

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So....
Dec 3, 2009 8:08PM PST

The $10 job you told me about or the Creative one that was $50?

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One's a replacement
Dec 3, 2009 10:20PM PST

The other an upgrade. The prices reflect this.

The final choice is yours.
Bob

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So....
Dec 3, 2009 10:23PM PST

The $10 is an upgrade and the $50 is the replacement? Or do I have that reversed?

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If you say so.
Dec 3, 2009 10:46PM PST

Sorry but if this is unclear which is the value choice and which is the upgrade I think you should replace the entire PC.

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Eh
Dec 3, 2009 11:07PM PST

I know the value option is obvious cheaper of the 2. I do not want to get a new PC as its my parents PC and all they use it for is the internet and email.

Thanks

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Got it.
Dec 4, 2009 12:58AM PST

You are new ready to decide.