Creative Labs SB0790 PCI Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Card

So I have finally purchased this Soundblaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCI (to distinguish from PCI-Express, the card that is a quality card.) It worked to expectations, but like Audigy and Audigy 2, has microphone issues on Windows 7, 64-bit editions. I stress the use of Windows 7 built in WDM drivers only. The funny thing was, is that if you attach the internal connector which usually goes to the case front panel, you will have a working microphone. I never did get the flexijack option in the Audio console, which may have solved the problem. I tried like 4 times with drivers, etc, but no luck. I also tried the Console Launcher, and it gave me a 'device not supported' error, even with Creative drivers. Altogether a good sounding card. If you are not going to use a microphone for now, and the price is right, you may want to use this.

I bought this card to replace the native audio card built into my ASUS motherboard.The reason I chose Creative was the great experience I had with their earlier sound card the "Audigy MP3". I would like to have purchased a new "Audigy MP3" card but I trusted Creative Soundblaster to provide a product of equal or better sound quality and ease of use.My main complaint is the fact that in order to record through the new card on to my audio recording-editing application needed to turn OFF my monitor speakers audio amplifier. A means tp control the analog audio level coming off the line out plug is not controllable independently of the digital wav record level feeding Adobe Audition and or Sound Forge or the other lesser audio recording aps I use in my restoration work. That caused me to uninstall and remove the Creative Soundblaster X-FI Extreme PCI card and revert to the onboard audio of the ASUS motherboard.I would have reused the old Soundblaster Audigy MP3 card but it died some years ago.More complete printed instructions and a working support group to call on would be nice. But I guess there is no need for excellence in service and support any more.Tom

I am a 60 year old male who enjoys using computers but is not computer savvy about the internal workings of a CPU. Basically, I want to buy something, install it with minimal problems, and run it. I don't like troubleshooting etc. After buying several sound cards from a local retailer, going to a computer repair store and buying a rebuilt card, none of which installed properly, I decided to contact Creative Labs for support. I gave them the model of the 10 year old computer, the specifics of the sound card and they made a suggestion. I will say that I was not looking for maximum performance or outstanding gaming sounds, just something that would allow my wife to hear sound on the computer. The SB0790 arrived, I installed it per the simple instructions, downloaded the drivers and bingo, it works like a charm. That is the kind of product, we old timers love.Enough said

I have had much experience with Creative labs, Inc. in that I have been a MIDI enthusiast. I always come back to Creative in spite of their horrid software drivers, bug-ridden software, and so forth, because they support SoundFont technology that I use the most.I am actually pleased with this card. The drivers work great and the installation was a breeze (unlike the X-Fi Pro Elite on my other PC...I won't even go there...). For the price, I cannot complain.No, this is not a true "X-Fi" card, and the EAX effects are not up to even the Audigy standards. For this cause, the Audigy would have been a better choice for me in music making (since the price was the same). The MIDI polyphony is only 64, not 128 as in true X-Fi, and none of the X-Fi driver improvements apply to this card.On the other hand, I can easily load up a 130MB soundfont with ease, and the MIDI playback is good. The sound quality of the card is satisfactory.One other significant advantage: I needed a small form-factor (SFF) PCI card for a SFF HP computer. This card meets the SFF size spec, even though the bracket is full-sized. No problem...simply remove the bracket, cut to length with tin snips, and bend over a new tab and drill a hole to make your own bracket to fit. The simple hardware modification is easy enough for the mechanically inclined, and it works great.

After contacting the Creative Store via e-mail an being assured the SB X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Card worked with Windows 7 I ordered it, received it, and installed it. As a prior PC tech I have experience installing products. My primary need was for my microphone and speakers to work in Windows 7 as I had just upgraded from Windows XP. I got everything to work in Windows XP, but the microphone portion would not work in Windows 7.After three weeks of trying everything and reading many forums I came to the conclusion that the microphone portion of card will not work in Windows 7.I returned the card via a RMA and expect a full refund. I was also, disappointed that after three weeks I have not received a response from Creative's tech support. Also, Creative has no chat or voice tech support. I'm also disappointed that they farm out their purchasing to Amazon.I have sence purchased a Diamone XTreem Sound Audio Card, installed it and it works fine. They have a chat and voice support. I will never purchase a Creative product again or recommend it to anyone.