Good 5.1 Sound card for $30?

[Twigglish]

Anyone know of one? I'm not big into sound cards, and really don't know what I'm looking for.
Right now I'm using onboard on my Asus P5B Deluxe

[Aynjell]

Anyone know of one? I'm not big into sound cards, and really don't know what I'm looking for.
Right now I'm using onboard on my Asus P5B Deluxe

Not for 30$. What OS do you use?

[pejsaboy]

I'm going to keep an eye on this thread. I've never been sold on the idea of a sound card, especially when I've seen some that cost more than any of the video cards I've bought ;) That said, I've been more and more interested in what they can offer lately since people seem to swear by them even for simple gaming use.

[MongGrel]

To be honest I doubt the words "good 5.1" "soundcard" and "30$" together exist.

This about the best thing I could think of for something good and affordable, I'm using it's big brother for sound for movies etc.

Hmm guess that was discontinued. Forte then I'd say.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156010&Tpk=Auzentech%20Forte (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156010&Tpk=Auzentech%20Forte)

That or a Auzentech Forte that's mid range, unless you want SB built crap, haven't used SB in probably 10 years myself. Least anything they put on a PCB, most Auzentech's have a SB chip.

I'd think the Asus onboard would be better than most 40$ soundcards personally.

[A-Dub]

DO NOT buy this sound card, my on board audio sounded much better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829270006&Tpk=SIIG%20IC-710012

[Twigglish]

I don't mean for EXACTLY $30. I guess i should have emphasized the word CHEAP and not an actual price.

Also, using XP.

[Whisky]

look into the audigy series offerings

[MadMan007]

A used X-Fi xtrememusic might do well. I think you'll get the most for your money used unless there's some hot deal sale, otherwise most <$40 soundcards aren't great. *Maybe this one isn't bad? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829126006

[A-Dub]

look into the audigy series offerings

I agree, I have an old audigy in my HTPC and it performs quite well. I paid around $40-$50 for it and I am very happy with it.

[Aynjell]

Audigy 2 ZS for XP, X-Fi Titanium for Windows Vista and beyond, at this point.

[BobbyBubblehead]

To be honest I doubt the words "good 5.1" "soundcard" and "30$" together exist.

Hitting the nail firmly and squarely... gave me a bit of a belly laugh.
7 out of 10 for funny, 8 for directness.
harmless.
Like it.

I tried 5.1 once but four amps and a room full of speakers & 100ft of trip wire later with standing room only... I gave it a miss.
(only have two ears anyway #Grins#)

I`ll get me coat....

later.

[Twigglish]

Audigy 2 ZS for XP...

Having trouble finding that for less than $90... Know of a place selling them?

[Twigglish]

Would my options change at all if I was looking for a 2.1 instead?

[Freezer7Pro]

Not really. All the decent cards cost a buck.

[Aynjell]

Alternatively you can be an SB-Live, I recall them not sucking back in the day. And they sold for about 30$ at wally world.

[Mr. Roboto]

What are you hooking this up to for speakers? If it's a receiver, just use the SPDIF out on your motherboard now.

Depends on what 5.1 sources you'll be playing, too.

[Rattle]

i got a xtreme music 7.1 for sale in the classies. nice card Never had an issue, used mainly for gaming and music, in xp, vista 64 and w7 it worked great for me.

[Quailane]

Look on ebay for the X-Fi xtreme audio in PCI or PCI-E for crazy cheap. Nor really an X-Fi and not even an Audigy because it doesn't really do much of any audio processing on the card itself but it is what you are looking for. For $19 shipped it can't be beat.