ExtremeTech takes a look at Creative’s newest audio processor – the X-Fi. This is Creative’s biggest architectural overhaul of their audio lineup since the introduction of the EMU10K1 audio processor way back with the Sound Blaster Live product. There are some interesting things about the new X-Fi processor. It has 11x the number of transistors from the EMU series; it has x the number of logic gates, 2x the clock speed and 24.4x the processing abilities. Ok.. so clearly the processor is bigger and badder.. but is it better?

X-Fi-based sound cards will certainly play a prominent role in Creative’s product lineup, and from its specs, X-Fi appears to be a very capable audio processor. But the company will need to clearly define what X-Fi’s killer apps are to make enthusiasts upgrade from their current sound card.

That’s very true. For most users today, our current generation of sound cards are more than enough for our uses. Creative is going to need to come up with a very good reason for people to upgrade their sound components – especially when not all the improvements can be necessarily heard by the human ear.

[Check it out]

No Tags