Do the numerous Sound Blaster AudioPCI clone models have any material difference? \ VOGONS

Do the numerous Sound Blaster AudioPCI clone models have any material difference?

Topic actions

First post, by appiah4

Posted on 2018-06-05, 13:01

appiah4 Offline

Rank l33t++

Rank: l33t++
Posts: 9221
Joined: 2017-02-19, 07:36
Location: Sea of Sorrows

I bought an SB16 today, and it came with an SB PCI64 installation CD in addition to the SB16 install CD. That got me wondering.. What exactly are the differences between these dozens of models such as the SB Audio PCI, PCI 64, PCI 128, Vibra 128, etc? I know that some Ensoniq chips are 44KHz and some are 48KHz but as far as I know aside from the very, very few that have the original ES1370 the rest are a wash? Then how does Creative differentiate these cards - how come the PCI 64 has a 64 sound wavetable while the 128 has a 128 sound wavetable? Different ECW sets? Different drivers?

Retronautics: A digital gallery of my retro computers, hardware and projects.

Reply 1 of 3, by Kamerat

Posted on 2018-06-08, 20:32

Kamerat Offline

Rank Oldbie

Rank: Oldbie
Posts: 1126
Joined: 2014-03-14, 19:09
Location: Oslo, Norway

If you see a card with a CT5507 chip it's just a ES1370 in disguise just like mine. The ES1370 uses different drivers than the ES1371/ES1373 both for DOS and Windows. You also got the EV1938 which is like an ES1371/ES1373 with an integrated DAC.

DOS Sound Blaster compatibility: PCI sound cards vs. PCI chipsets
YouTube channel