Customer Reviews

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS Card ( 70SB046600002 )

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I would have given this sound card 5 Stars if it wasn't for two things:

1. The retail price is about $50-$75 too high for this card. I don't like how Soundblaster tries to price gouge the consumer.

2. Most of the online discount store still have this card priced at the retail price. What's up with that?

That aside, this card has its own CPU which means, like so many Nvidia or ATI video cards today, it takes a lot of the strain off your computer's CPU allowing for faster performance. Add the 64M XRAM and all the games that are programmed to use it will fly. Only the Fatal1ty or Elite Pro versions of this card have the 64M XRAM.

It would have been better for Soundblaster to offer the XRAM on their lower end card and price it at around $149 retail. Sadly, this choice is not an option yet. Maybe Soundblaster will wise up soon.

I agree that these cards are very pricey. The sound in games and music, however, is amazing. The "crystallizer" feature (included in the whole x-fi line) creates an amazing surround effect for gaming and music, especially for headphones. I purchased this card because I must play through headphones. I only went with the fatal1ty card because it was on sale as a preorder. Otherwise, I would have purchased the platinum because I am unsure if developers will actually utilize the onboard ram this card comes with. The presence of the ram doesn't effect the sound, it only theoretically offloads the CPU. If you have the means and play through headphones, I highly recommend this card.

My previous sound card was a Sound Blaster Audigy II (Gamer ZS). I saw the Fatal1ty and wondered "Is this thing worth the price?" So I started reading user reviews on tech topic forums, with most people saying "50 million transistors vs 5, what would you do? ;) " Not helpful, and knowing the only way to learn something is to do it yourself, I bought one.

Needless to say, I am floored with its performance.

Of course, as a cynical Gen-X'er, I felt the need to point out the quirk first! I use Windows Vista - when removing the Audigy II and putting in the Fatal1ty (different PCI slot), Vista blue-screened when loading the CL control panel. I rebooted into safe mode and removed the previous drivers. Rebooting afterward, I then installed the Fatal1ty software. I still received a prompt of some old CL Control Panel software, but it was overwritten without any problems. Maybe it's not a quirk; I could have removed the old software first.

As with the Audigy II software, my antivirus software thought the Fatal1ty software contained a virus (no, it didn't). Okay, we'll call that the quirk. Now, how does the card compare?

It blows everything else away. The few games I play (UT2004, Doom3, FS X) sound crisper and with far more background detail than with the previous card. The computer seems to run a tad faster too. The foreground detail really packs an extra depth.

Windows Media Player and MP3s do sound a lot better as well; it is an incredible experience.

But to make the long ramble short, if you have even the Audigy II, this upgrade is not a frivolous purchase.

Great Sound paired with 5.1 speakers. Easy Setup and Fabulous I/O panel for the front of the computer. Great deal for the $

I was skeptical at first that a sound card could improve my gaming ability, but I was amazed at how much of a difference it makes. I've had it for one day and already I've noticed much better response time sound-wise. I'm able to hear my opponents from further away and locate them easier as well. I play counter-strike source regularly, and my teammates have already begun to ask my how I know where the enemy is so quickly. This is a great enhancement to my gaming experience and I would recommend it to anyone who demands the best in gaming.

Awesome sound in gaming such as BF2 , BF 2142 also any racing game , good for , music entertainments.

this my 2nd X-FI sound card , also make sure that your board is supported because i have Nforce 4 32x motherboard asus a8n32sli with latest beta bios and its working fine , but i faced lagging while playing Bf2 , i have fixed that by increasing the NB and SB voltage and everything working fine and flawless.

great for gamers.

The Fatal1ty is almost exclusively designed for headphone use. Its sound processing is amazing for headphones. But if you have speakers, you have a good chance of not being able to use the card. If you have digital speakers (i.e. a digital connection) then you cannot connect a microphone or any "line-in" as they both use the same plug (why? I have no idea). If you have analog connections, you better have the one connection method supported, there are 3 plugs: 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 all use the same 3 plugs. If you have something other than 3 plugs for your speaker system, you are out of luck. If you have digital and want to use a microphone or any line-in device, your out of luck.

If you rely on your audio card for a firewire port, you are out of luck as this card no longer has firewire.

Like I said, the board is really designed for headphone users. If you have a good pair of headphones and use them for gaming or music then this card probably will work great for you.

I have been using a Creative X-Fi Elite Pro card with I/O control box for about six years. I process a lot of music for my DJ business and web site. I wanted another card for the desktop I use for dances. So, I went searching. I found a bargain on Amazon.com from Andrew Sugar for an X-Fi Fatality card and I/O Box. It was listed as "Used - Like New". So, I purchased it. Within days the card arrived. Only, it wasn't the Fatality card, it is the X-Fi Platinum Card with I/O Box instead. They look the same and come with the same software. So, I installed it and it works like a champ. This card, like the Fatality card I thought I was getting, have been discontinued by Creative. I am not sure why. I run Windows 7, Ultimate 64 bit and the drivers were all readily available from the Creative web site. I haven't had the card long enough to give a good critique; but, if it holds up like my Elite Pro, I think I will be very pleased. I certainly got a bargain price on it. The I/O Box works as advertised as does the remote control. I did notice a "pop" sound between songs that I searched out with the remote on my HD. I was not using the Creative Player or library. I was just testing the thing out. I'm not sure why the pop. But, I am not concerned as everything else is just fine.

Dave Strock
www.dj-by-request.com

I upgraded from integrated 8 Ch HD sound on the motherboard to this card and there is a big difference in the quality of the sound. This sound card gives you crisp clear surround sound with lots of features, you can enjoy surround sound on a headphone! EAX, CMOS, HD, Surround MIDI, etc....

Highly recommended, you gotta have it. Make sure you have the system requirements to get good performance.

The liquid crystal treble and deep, low (but no longer boomy\buzzy) bass brought a couple of tiny tears to my eye -- this card is that good. And that was just with listening to a rip of a favorite CD I own (Sasha | Airdrawndagger). AND, I should point out, those weren't even .mp3 files -- I use .m4a for 99% of my digital music, a file format that is almost completely lossless. I thought my Audigy 2ZS card was cool, and until this new card was released I wasn't considering upgrading. The X-Fi Fatal1ty card completely blows it away, seriously. With the Crystalizer feature enabled and set to 75%, the resulting gorgeous sweeping sounds of 'Airdrawndagger' washed over me in a completely new way - I heard parts of the tracks I'd never noticed before. What this incredible card does for games is just beyond belief. I admit, I was a tiny bit skeptical upon reading all the glowing reviews out there, but after hearing what the X-Fi Fatal1ty can do for my audio experience, I have to say I am definitely a believer of the well-deserved hype. Do yourself a favor - I know it's pricey, but if you have the means don't hesitate to pick up this card right away. If you are a serious gamer at all, like I am, you definitely need this version of the card. Don't hesitate!!