USB sound card

[Glenn]

Does any have have any experience with USB sound cards?

I need a 2nd sound card in my gaming PC for voice chat (so it doesn't get drowned out by other noise), I have been recommended the Asus Xonar D2x, but with a crossfire setup, I have no PCi slots available, hence the request.

[Steve]

Only USB DACS, providing you can direct the application to use a  particular device I don't see why it shouldn't work.

[zappaDPJ]

I use a Plantronics headset which contains an in-line USB sound card. I run the games sound through the PC's internal sound card to speakers and route comms traffic through the headset.

It's probably not the cheapest option but for coordinated multiplayer games it's the best solution imho.

[Glenn]

What model, Zap?

[zappaDPJ]

I'm currently using an old model DSP 400 Glenn which fold up for travel use. It's important to note that the new model does not contain a USB soundcard. Looking around the old model has dropped in price considerably e.g. http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?cm_mmc=Feed-_-GoogleMerchant-_-GoogleProducts-_-Product&utm_source=base&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=base&src=FRO1&product_id=PLALM37859

[Glenn]

Cheers, I'll take a look

[zappaDPJ]

 

[Fox]

I dont know if you are aware but the Asus card is available in a couple of flavours, the D2X which uses a 1X PCI Express slot, and the D2 which uses the old style PCI slot. I would have thought that your mobo even with crossfire would have one or the other available. If you can get one to fit you will find it is an excellent sound card and has the added bonus of not being from Creative.

[Lance]

Could you not just tweak  the individual programme settings so the voice is louder than anything else?