A sound card is that component of the computer that is not only responsible for the presence of sound, but also for its quality and the ability to connect a good, high-quality audio system. Naturally, few people can allocate more than 5 thousand rubles to the sound, because you want basically how? That it was cheaper and good. The Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Fx sound card just falls under these criteria. Let's get to know her in more detail.
Description
Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy Fx Sound Card was released in 2014. Despite this, the card is successfully sold in many component stores and, by the way, very successfully. Her main goal at the time of the release was this - to create competition in the budget segment of Asus. And apparently, Creative did it.
Another interesting note is that the audio chip installed on this board is not from Creative itself, but from another manufacturer - Realtek. At first glance, it might seem foolish to issue a card with such a chip, since many motherboards already have Realtek codecs, and some even have top-end ones. But do not forget that such motherboards are usually more expensive than 5000 rubles and it’s more profitable to buy a motherboard cheaper + a budget “sound card” for it.
Equipment
A review of the Creative Audigy Fx sound card should begin with the bundle. It comes in a rather small, neat box of thin cardboard. Looking at the packaging, the name of the model, which is written in front in large print, immediately catches the eye. If you look at the back side, then you can find all the main characteristics of the card, its features and even the delivery kit. So, if there is something inside, and it is clear that the box was opened (it was originally sealed with adhesive tape), then you can safely present it to the seller in the store and demand a replacement for the goods.
The package includes a disk with software and drivers, a card in an antistatic bag, an additional bracket for installing the card in low-profile computers, and waste paper in the form of instructions and a warranty card.
Sound card design
Sound card Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Fx looks, at first glance, usually and unremarkable. Actually a similar design could be seen on many other cards of this manufacturer, for example, Audigy SE or Sound Blaster Live !.
The only thing that attracts attention here is the black textolite, which actually highlights the card. As for the connectors, there are 5 of them. The set is more than standard. The only thing that has changed in Creative is the separate microphone and line inputs.
Characteristics
Here are the main features of the Audigy Fx sound card:
- Noise / reproduction - 106 dB.
- Connection to MP - PCI-E.
- DAC (Central Sound Processor) - Realtek ALC898.
- The number of channels is 5.1.
- Headphone Amplifier - MAX97220A.
- Dimensions (L / W) - 130mm / 64mm.
On the board itself, you can see the chip labeled Creative - you should not rejoice, because it is a regular bus controller. The sound processor here is Realtek ACL898, which is not so bad for a budget option. Another nice addition is the presence of the MAX97220A chip, which acts as a headphone amplifier. This microcircuit could already be observed on Creative's ZX / Z models, where it proved itself very well.
Connection and software
It's time to tell how to connect a Creative Audigy Fx sound card. This is done very easily. Just insert the card into any free PCI-E slot. Some additional food is not required here.
Setting up a Creative Audigy Fx sound card is also straightforward. But before you configure anything, you must install proprietary software from the disk.
If you open the control panel of the sound card, you can notice a nice design in the corporate style of Creative and a small number of tabs, because the card is budget. The menu contains various improvements for the sound, which can be customized as you wish or disabled. There is also an equalizer, by the way, very convenient and other "chips" like a mixer and the choice of the type of audio system connection.
Price and conclusion
As for the cost, today you can buy this sound card from 2600 rubles, although in some stores the price tag reaches even 4 thousand in space. This price is absolutely not justified, the maximum how much you can pay for this card is 3000-3200 rubles.
To summarize, I would like to note that the card for its money is very good and is capable of producing decent sound both at 16bit / 44kHz and 24bit / 192kHz. In its parameters, it is very similar to the card from ASUS - Xonar DGX, but Creative has more convenient software, although at some points the card is still inferior to the competitor. But again, all these points are not related to sound, but to technical specifications. In any case, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Fx is a great solution for any computer for pretty little money.