Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2023-08-07, 18:17:

From what I gather, this indicates EFX 1.0 support, which may supersede EAX 5.0 (not entirely sure about that). The same entry appears in my log file, and it may explain why UT3 and Gears of War behave that way. Since both games were released in 2007, around the time when Vista started shipping with new PCs, it could have made sense for developers to use this approach.

Since I was doing some EAX testing, I decided to revisit Unreal Tournament 3 today. As before, here's my UT3 Launch.log when using an X-Fi Titanium:

1Init: ALAudio device requested : 
2Init: ALAudio device opened    : SB X-Fi Audio [0001]
3Init: AL_VENDOR      : Creative Labs Inc.
4Init: AL_RENDERER    : SB X-Fi Audio [0001]
5Init: AL_VERSION     : OpenAL version 1.1
6Init: AL_EXTENSIONS  : EAX
7EAX1.0
8EAX2.0
9EAX3.0
10EAX4.0
11EAX5.0
12
13Init: Device supports: EAX4.0
14Init: Device supports: EAX-RAM
15Init: Device supports: ALC_EXT_EFX
16Init: Found EFX extension with 4 effect slots and 4 potential sends
17Init: ...'reverb' supported
18Init: ...'equalizer' supported
19Init: ...'low pass filter' supported
20Init: XRAM           : YES
21Init: ALAudioDevice initialized.

And now, here's the same log when using an Audigy 2 ZS:

1Init: ALAudio device requested : 
2Init: ALAudio device opened    : SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [EC00]
3Init: AL_VENDOR      : Creative Labs Inc.
4Init: AL_RENDERER    : SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [EC00]
5Init: AL_VERSION     : OpenAL version 1.1
6Init: AL_EXTENSIONS  : EAX
7EAX1.0
8EAX2.0
9EAX3.0
10EAX4.0
11
12Init: Device supports: EAX4.0
13Init: Device supports: ALC_EXT_EFX
14Init: Found EFX extension with 2 effect slots and 2 potential sends
15Init: ...'reverb' supported
16Init: ...'equalizer' supported
17Init: ...'low pass filter' supported
18Init: XRAM           : NO
19Init: ALAudioDevice initialized.

Note this line on the X-Fi:

1Init: Found EFX extension with 4 effect slots and 4 potential sends

Versus this line on the Audigy 2 ZS:

1Init: Found EFX extension with 2 effect slots and 2 potential sends

The slots that the log file is referring to are described here. To summarize, with EAX 4.0, two out of the four slots are permanently assigned to reverb and chorus, leaving the other two slots free. However, with EAX 5.0 all four slots are always free to be used as the developer sees fit, which is what this log reflects. In conclusion, my hunch that Unreal Tournament 3 uses EFX to utilize EAX 5.0 functionality seems to be correct, and my previous assessment that it tops out at EAX 4.0 was wrong.

Lastly, note how the game actually detects EAX 5.0 capabilities on the X-Fi, while not finding that on the Audigy 2 ZS (see the lines right below Init: AL_EXTENSIONS : EAX).

And since we're comparing EAX 4.0 to EAX 5.0, here's another example from Prey (2006). The first screenshot is with the game running on an Audigy 2 ZS:

The second screenshot has the game running on an X-Fi Titanium:

The number of mono and stereo voices on the X-Fi is more than doubled compared to the Audigy 2 ZS. In practice, this provides a richer soundstage, as more sounds can be played back simultaneously. Additional details regarding the use of hardware voices on Creative's cards can be found here. Furthermore, the official page for Prey on Creative's website goes in depth about the use of EAX in that game.

I've been doing some more EAX testing over the last couple of weeks and updating the list on the Vogons Wiki. The current count of EAX games is as follows:

• EAX 1.0 - 268 games
• EAX 2.0 - 207 games
• EAX 3.0 - 180 games
• EAX 4.0 - 88 games
• EAX 5.0 - 31 games

For clarity, I've been using a WinXP retro rig with an X-Fi Titanium sound card for testing EAX capable games, and also referencing Creative's old "EAX Featured Games" and "Sound Blaster Gaming" pages whenever possible.

Unfortunately, it looks like Creative made those pages mostly flash based at some point in 2008. And the Way Back Machine doesn't process those flash pages that well. We can still see the featured games as thumbnails, but clicking on them doesn't seem to open the relevant page, instead showing a flash ad for an X-Fi sound card. Additionally, it appears that Creative stopped adding games to that page somewhere between 2009 and 2010, so any further references after that point need to come from the game's documentation or sound options.

P.S.

From the hundreds of EAX capable games on this list, 98 are supported by ALchemy, while 41 use OpenAL natively. These should retain their EAX functionality under Windows Vista and up, at least in theory.

I'm glad I saw the screenshots of the console command history. My QX9650 PC has an x-fi card inside. It's a SB0880, of which there seems to be two versions.

https://support.creative.com/kb/ShowArticle.aspx?sid=10846

I had thought these were both 16MB variants, but looks like this SB0880 has the full 64MB according to Doom3:

I'll have to pull this card out and check the model number. I do have an SB0886, but I thought that was in the E8600 system.... Time to check.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2024-11-04, 05:57:

In terms of EAX, Quake 4 is one of the few games that can actually make use of X-RAM on X-Fi sound cards.

According to https://xfi.blogspot.com/2006/01/x-ram.html, anything using OpenAL will load sounds to X-RAM by default, assuming Creative's OpenAL implementation (ct_oal.dll) is used. I don't think there's any direct relation between X-RAM and EAX.

UCyborg wrote on 2024-12-13, 12:54:

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2024-11-04, 05:57:

In terms of EAX, Quake 4 is one of the few games that can actually make use of X-RAM on X-Fi sound cards.

According to https://xfi.blogspot.com/2006/01/x-ram.html, anything using OpenAL will load sounds to X-RAM by default, assuming Creative's OpenAL implementation (ct_oal.dll) is used. I don't think there's any direct relation between X-RAM and EAX.

That makes sense, since Doom 3 can use X-RAM as well, even though its 1.3 patch (which introduced EAX and OpenAL support) predates X-Fi cards.

I should rephrase my previous statement. Quake 4 (and Prey and Doom 3) are among the few games which explicitly tell you that they are using X-RAM (if available).

I started looking up some Creative X-Fi cards on Ebay but It seems there are over a dozens versions! Which one is actually the "good one"? I know that Dell OEM versions are not the ones to buy but how about the rest? From Wikipedia there is only one model with 64mb of RAM- but it is very rare! Is that the top of the line or it is enough one with only 2mb of RAM?
I already have several Live and Audigy models and it seems that EAX 5.0 was implemented in very few games? X-Fi is worth all the hype?

nd22 wrote on 2024-12-14, 05:43:

I started looking up some Creative X-Fi cards on Ebay but It seems there are over a dozens versions! Which one is actually the "good one"?

Yeah, Creative kinda messed up with the marketing of their X-Fi cards, so it can be hard to pick out the good ones. First off, are you looking at PCI or PCIe? For the PCI versions, the best cards are the X-Fi Elite Pro and the X-Fi Fatal1ty. The other SB0460 models (Xtreme Gamer and Xtreme Music) aren't bad either, but they only have 2MB X-RAM. I don't think this is a huge issue, and most games won't be negatively affected by it. However, be sure to avoid "Xtreme Audio" models like the SB0790. Those don't have hardware acceleration and only support up to EAX 4.0 which they provide by using CPU power and slowing down your entire system.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a PCIe card, the answer is simple: X-Fi Titanium SB0880. The OEM versions of those cards have 16MB X-RAM, while the Fatal1ty branded ones have 64MB. Both are excellent for WinXP gaming. Once gain, avoid the PCIe "Xtreme Audio" models like the SB1040 for reasons already mentioned above. More details about the entire X-Fi line of products can be found here.

I already have several Live and Audigy models and it seems that EAX 5.0 was implemented in very few games? X-Fi is worth all the hype?

By my latest count, around 30 games support EAX 5.0. But that's not the main benefit of the X-Fi. Due to the improved resampling algorithm and the increased number of hardware voices, even older EAX games will sound better on an X-Fi card. Also, thanks to PurePath, positional audio is more precise and subwoofer use is much improved when using a set of 5.1 or 7.1 surround speakers. Additionally, Creative made some enhancements to CMSS-3D for the X-Fi, which are most noticeable when using headphones.

To summarize, yes X-Fi cards are worth it, and don't worry about the X-RAM amount. Just avoid the "Xtreme Audio" models.

To add to that, if you ever want to go from "good" ones to "best" then Auzentech made some using the same DSP but cranking up the quality of all the other parts and also piling on more features. They're hard to track down though (I had an eBay alert going for the last year or two and only ever saw two of them, though that may be in part due to my setting a price limit) and the driver situation is a bit iffy, so I'd recommend sticking to JJ's suggestions for the time being and only look into Auzen if you actually end up finding the Creative cards to be lacking (which is not likely). I.e. treat this as more of a FIY than a recommendation.

Some SB0880 models have a shroud covering the card while some don't have it. Which is the "good one"?
This is a picture from Ebay; the seller has many SB0880 for sale; does this model has 16mb of RAM or only 2mb?
The price is OK - especially shipping which is free!!
I am obviously looking for a PCI-EX card.

nd22 wrote on 2024-12-15, 10:20:

Some SB0880 models have a shroud covering the card while some don't have it. Which is the "good one"?

The ones with the shroud (it's an electromagnetic shield) are the Fatal1ty versions, and they have 64MB X-RAM. Those were Creative's top of the line products back in the day.

This is a picture from Ebay; the seller has many SB0880 for sale; does this model has 16mb of RAM or only 2mb?

The model in that picture has 16MB X-RAM.

P.S.

Something that I forgot to mention earlier. Don't buy X-Fi Titanium HD cards (SB1240) if you intend to play games under WinXP. The HD versions (different from regular X-Fi Titanium cards) don't have WinXP drivers. I'm only mentioning this because they also have the electromagnetic shield, and can look a bit similar to X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty cards, when viewed from above.

nd22 wrote on 2024-12-15, 10:20:

Some SB0880 models have a shroud covering the card while some don't have it. Which is the "good one"?
This is a picture from Ebay; the seller has many SB0880 for sale; does this model has 16mb of RAM or only 2mb?

The "shroud" is a shielding that prevents some electromagnetic interference. It seems like the shielding was removed to expose card's PCB for the pictures.

SB0880 = 16 MB X-RAM. Still not a 64 MB model, but better than cards with 2 MB.

analog_programmer wrote on 2024-12-15, 10:41:

The "shroud" is a shielding that prevents some electromagnetic interference. It seems like the shielding was removed to expose card's PCB for the pictures.

From what I recall, only the Fatal1ty branded X-Fi Titanium cards had the EM shield. The regular and OEM X-Fi Titanium models came without it from the factory. Relevant pics:

X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty

Regular X-Fi Titanium

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2024-12-15, 10:55:

From what I recall, only the Fatal1ty branded X-Fi Titanium cards had the EM shield. The regular and OEM X-Fi Titanium models came without it from the factory.

On a second thought, you're right. I just saw on fleabay those chineese offers and there was a picture of a X-Fi shielded card in buyer's feedback. This fooled me that SB0880 model comes with shielding.

Great thread thanks OP, it prompted me to dig out my trusty old XtremeMusic and install it in my P4 XP machine, where previously I'd been using an Audigy 2 ZS. I've been having a great time messing around with Prey, DOOM 3, etc - they really do sound fantastic with the X-Fi. I've ordered myself a SB0880 (with shield) based on the advice above - I don't expect to hear any difference but the PCI-e slots are further from the GFX card so better from a cooling perspective (that's how I justified it anyway).

I really miss the days when buying a sound card was a major event. That XtremeMusic was the last one I bought and I used it for years, but ultimately Windows 7 stopped getting along with it ~2014, so I ditched it.

analog_programmer wrote on 2024-12-15, 11:54:

On a second thought, you're right. I just saw on fleabay those chineese offers and there was a picture of a X-Fi shielded card in buyer's feedback. This fooled me that SB0880 model comes with shielding.

I just bought this SB0880 and it has the shield: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/326364839182

badmojo wrote on 2024-12-15, 12:04:

I just bought this SB0880 and it has the shield: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/326364839182

That's a Fatal1ty model.

Notice the red "F" on the EM shield and the SB0886 in the long serial number (below the model number) on the white sticker at the back of the card.

badmojo wrote on 2024-12-15, 12:02:

Great thread thanks OP, it prompted me to dig out my trusty old XtremeMusic and install it in my P4 XP machine, where previously I'd been using an Audigy 2 ZS. I've been having a great time messing around with Prey, DOOM 3, etc - they really do sound fantastic with the X-Fi. I've ordered myself a SB0880 (with shield) based on the advice above - I don't expect to hear any difference but the PCI-e slots are further from the GFX card so better from a cooling perspective (that's how I justified it anyway).

Cheers!

I should note that there's a slight issue with the latest official driver for the X-Fi Titanium cards. It causes some games that use OpenAL to drop sounds on occasion. This is fixed in DanielK's most recent X-Fi driver pack, but it can also be bypassed by using an older driver version from 2010. I intend to make a guide regarding the driver installation procedure for the X-Fi Titanium cards sometime soon.

badmojo wrote on 2024-12-15, 12:02:

Great thread thanks OP, it prompted me to dig out my trusty old XtremeMusic and install it in my P4 XP machine, where previously I'd been using an Audigy 2 ZS. I've been having a great time messing around with Prey, DOOM 3, etc - they really do sound fantastic with the X-Fi. I've ordered myself a SB0880 (with shield) based on the advice above - I don't expect to hear any difference but the PCI-e slots are further from the GFX card so better from a cooling perspective (that's how I justified it anyway).

Having gone from XtremeMusic to X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty myself I think there is a slight audible difference in quality, but it's so tiny it's borderline placebo and probably comes mainly from the shield.

I only know because I once made an EMI shield myself and repeatedly put it on and off while using headphones, the difference was very small but I could just hear it. But I had to go full audiophile mode to notice it, it's meaningless while actually doing something like playing a game.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on 2024-12-15, 12:09:

I should note that there's a slight issue with the latest official driver for the X-Fi Titanium cards. It causes some games that use OpenAL to drop sounds on occasion. This is fixed in DanielK's most recent X-Fi driver pack, but it can also be bypassed by using an older driver version from 2010. I intend to make a guide regarding the driver installation procedure for the X-Fi Titanium cards sometime soon.

Good to know thankyou. I did try DanielK's pack with my XtremeMusic but it was problematic to install (windows XP) and some games were crashing behaving strangely, so I ended up using the drivers on Creative's site. I'd prefer to use original drivers - no particular reason I can name for this. I'll have a look for the 2010 version.