Sound card suggestions??

[sl2lover]

Seems like I need a new sound card on my pc! The volume it puts through my speakers is like half what it should be, and one speaker is louder in one than the other! I've gone through all the adjustments/levels control panel bullshit, and it just won't work like it should!
Anyways whay suggestions on a new oneI should shop for? I don't wanna an entry model, but don't want a studio grade one either!

[rjohnstone]

I've always been a fan of the Sound Blaster cards.
The Audigy or the X-Fi are great cards. Many levels to choose from with either series.

http://us.creative.com/products/welcome.asp?category=1&WT.cg_n=Campaigns&WT.mc_id=8859

[sl2lover]

What about the XtremeMusic??

[rjohnstone]

I've only seen/heard the X-Fi Platinum in person. It's basically the XtremeMusic with the front access add-on panel.
Sound quality was pretty damn good.

[sl2lover]

Cool! Are they easy to install??

[rjohnstone]

Piece of cake.
Is your current sound card built into the motherboard or is it a separate card?
If it's built in, you will have to disable it in the BIOS before you install the new card.
Again... not that hard.

[Mordor]

M-audio Audiophile 2496. Cheap and good for semi-pro recordings too.

[sl2lover]

Piece of cake.
Is your current sound card built into the motherboard or is it a separate card?
If it's built in, you will have to disable it in the BIOS before you install the new card.
Again... not that hard.

No it's built in! How do I disable it in the bios?? Will I, or should I wipe out the software for the current one?? If so, how do I do that??

[rjohnstone]

Methods to disable in your BIOS will vary depending on the make of your PC.
Let's start their first.
To answer your other question, yes, it's always wise to uninstall the drivers and software before you remove a device.

[sl2lover]

Thanks for the help Rick!

[rjohnstone]

Just shoot me a PM when you decide on a card and I'll walk you through swapping it out.
Seriously, unless you have some f'd up proprietary PC from hell, it will be a piece of cake.