PC Sound card recommendations (for games use)

[FourWheelDrift]

I've currently got a Hercules Digifire 7.1 soundcard with 2 speakers and a sub woofer plugged in but I'm getting more and more white noise when playing games, especially driving games where the constant engine noise makes it very noticable. It might be the card playing up, it could be the speakers (which are older than the card).

Can anyone recommend a card, not a stupidly expensive one as I have no use for the additional features as a standalone or even in a card/speaker pack.

Needs to have good compatibility with things like GPL, GTL, GTR, rFactor, BF2, Far Cry type games.

Thanks

PS I only get the white noise increasing when playing games, MP3 and video playback seems fine so does some bright spark know if it's a non hardware problem (all latest drivers for DX9 and sound card installed)

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Tuesday 4th July 22:38

[rebelstar]

Try using headphones, that'll highlight any white noise coming from the card itself and eliminate the speakers.

[FourWheelDrift]

I still want to replace the card and the speaker (which must be 8+ years old now), I hate headphone anyway. Don't think I have any in the house to even try.

[xiphias]

X-Fi? I know they're not cheap, but by golly do they sound good (BF2 - mm yes). You should only need the basic edition - 80quid ish? Failing that grab yourself an audigy 2 or something - cheap as chips nowadays.

[xiphias]

And if you're getting new speakers - do a proper job, you don't know what you're missing in GTL! Or BF2...dakkadakkadakka

[chris watton]

xiphias said:

X-Fi? I know they're not cheap, but by golly do they sound good (BF2 - mm yes). You should only need the basic edition - 80quid ish? Failing that grab yourself an audigy 2 or something - cheap as chips nowadays.

to the X-Fi, have just bought one when I updated my system, the is a noticable difference in sound, especially in games, to the Audigy 2 I replaced it with, plus it takes more of the load, so higher frames too (potentially - having a GF 7950 helps though! )

[FourWheelDrift]

I rather like the look of this then. - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music + Inspire T6060 5.1 Speakers for £82.50 (£96.94 Including VAT) from Overclockers.

[chris watton]

That seems like a good deal, Darren! I bought the card only for over £70!