I've a number of Live! cards that have worked well, so I don't have a specific recommendation; but you will want to avoid the SB0200/0203. The SB0220 is fine, though some will say to avoid it since it is an OEM and the drivers are more difficult to find, but Vogons has both the WDM and VXD drivers for that card.

https://theretroweb.com/expansioncards/s/crea … dell-oem-sb0200

Sound Blaster Live! Install SB0220

I don't really care about drivers, I know here on Vogons I will find.
Some may be picky, but I can deal a bit with them.
I have a 0200 Dell, no EAX:)
I want to avoid all Dell..
If some one here on Vogons has a card to sell, I ll get it.
Trust, you know ...
Long time user, few messages, but still here.
So I trust Vogons users.

Avoid the Dell OEM cards. They aren't real Live cards and have a cut down chipset.

The Good (Full hardware acceleration, standard drivers)
Live: CT4620, CT4670, CT4760, CT4830
Live 5.1: SB0060, SB0100, SB0102, SB0220

The Bad (No Hardware acceleration)
Dell SBLive! CT4780, SB0200, SB0203

The Ugly (Hardware acceleration but non standard drivers)
Dell SB Live! 5.1 SB0220

Although I'd personally I'd jump past the mess that is SBLive! and get the Audigy SB0090 if on a budget.
Cost about the same, same dos compatibility, Windows drivers are less confusing and you get upto EAX4 vs EAX2 on the Live!

i'd also recommend a CT4620 and CT4760, i believe the CT4620 is the first live card and the CT4760 is the first 4.1 card (with the extra yellow jack), both work with the liveware 3.0 cd for 9x drivers, and can also work up to windows 11 with the KX drivers, which makes for a good all rounder if you are running multiple Os's, ive got both and i cant fault them.

chinny22 wrote on 2025-08-15, 05:12:

The Good (Full hardware acceleration, standard drivers) Live: CT4620, CT4670, CT4760, CT4830 Live 5.1: SB0060, SB0100, SB0102, […]
Show full quote

The Good (Full hardware acceleration, standard drivers)
Live: CT4620, CT4670, CT4760, CT4830
Live 5.1: SB0060, SB0100, SB0102, SB0220

The Bad (No Hardware acceleration)
Dell SBLive! CT4780, SB0200, SB0203

The Ugly (Hardware acceleration but non standard drivers)
Dell SB Live! 5.1 SB0220

Although I'd personally I'd jump past the mess that is SBLive! and get the Audigy SB0090 if on a budget.
Cost about the same, same dos compatibility, Windows drivers are less confusing and you get upto EAX4 vs EAX2 on the Live!

Yes this is what I'm talking about. However, the SB0220 can be made to install quite easily following the "universal" live driver thread.

i'd also suggest seeking a boxed Live 5.1 X-Gamer if you can. some real banger of games in there and it's a good model

Thanks guys !
I've read some have Surround, does any have the old analog Pro Logic ?
I really want to try Unreal 1 with Pro Logic.
I have an old 1998 Pro Logic amplifier/tuner, but I have to fix it first , found in garbage:)

nali wrote on 2025-08-17, 02:53:

Thanks guys ! I've read some have Surround, does any have the old analog Pro Logic ? I really want to try Unreal 1 with Pro Logi […]
Show full quote

Thanks guys !
I've read some have Surround, does any have the old analog Pro Logic ?
I really want to try Unreal 1 with Pro Logic.
I have an old 1998 Pro Logic amplifier/tuner, but I have to fix it first , found in garbage:)

I think the original Audigy cards had Dolby Pro Logic Passthrough. Lives only supported Directsound, CMSS, and EAX afaik.

That said, I don't think games supported Dolby Pro Logic. That's what EAX was for. Dolby Pro Logic was an analog encoding to encode 5.1 on a stereo signal. So, like a broadcast tv channel (stereo FM sound) could be decoded to Dolby Pro Logic by your receiver, if the station broadcasted with the encoding. Well, before analog TV died, anyway.

I know you said SB live, but I'm starting to like the SB0160 Audigy with a gameport.

Dothan Burger wrote on 2025-08-17, 03:08:

I know you said SB live, but I'm starting to like the SB0160 Audigy with a gameport.

Oh cool. That's an interesting option.

I know how Pro Logic works.
It a basic differrence with the 2 channels R and L.
R+L give center, R-L give rear.
Or revert, can't remember.
Was great circa 2000.
And I've been playing a lot with audio, since I know a bit about electronic.
Even my cars had active filter and amps in 1998:)
Not sure any sound card had Pro Logic decoder ...
And not sure anyway it's the best solution when an amplifier can deal with it.