X-Fi Zone
X-Fi Models

Discover the SoundBlaster X-Fi models. What are the differences, what do the models have in common.

X-RAM Explained

What does X-RAM really do? Read about the extra 64MB onboard RAM on the SoundBlaster X-Fi.

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Tuesday, January 03, 2006

The Four X-Fi Models

Creative Labs introduced 4 SoundBlaster X-Fi sound cards: The X-Fi XtremeMusic, the X-Fi Platinum, the X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS and finally the X-Fi Elite Pro.

 XtremeMusicPlatinumFatal1tyElite Pro
» Differences on the card itself
X-RAM (64MB)    

» Package content differences
Remote Control    
X-Fi I/O Drive    
X-Fi I/O Console    

» Software differences
Music Creation Guide    
X-Fi Music Creation Software CD    

The first difference when it comes to the sound card itself is the amount of onboard RAM (X-RAM) on the Fatal1ty FPS and the Elite Pro versions. The goal is to boost performance even further by loading sounds into dedicated audio RAM rather than system RAM. The XtremeMusic and the Platinum cards come with 2MB onboard RAM.

The other more technial difference is the use of different converters on the Elite Pro model. It has Cirrus Logic CS4398 D/A converters and an AKM AK5394 A/D converter. The other models are equipped with Cirrus Logic CS4382 D/A converters and a Wolfson WM8775 circuit.

X-Fi X-RAM
This is how the X-RAM looks on the card.

 

X-Fi I/O Drive
The I/O Drive which is featured in both the Platinum and the Fatal1ty FPS version is the same model only having a different name printed in the upper right corner.

The X-Fi Music Creation Software CD only comes with the Elite Pro card. It contains Steinberg Cubase LE which is a powerful music creation tool, Steinberg WaveLab Lite a sound editing application and IK Multimedia's Amplitube LE.

Comments

Blogger Unknown said...

The shown black box in the upper corner of the card called here the X-RAM is NOT the X-RAM.
This is just for the nifty glowing X-FI logo.
The X-RAM itself is in another chip on the card.

2:29 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

you say that they only have 2 meg of xram in the body of the article

4:32 AM  
Blogger v1ewer said...

About the X-Fi Xtreme Music card:
it has the I/O box interface [just an old (P)ATA style connector] on the card, all you need is plugin any X-Fi, Audigy or Audigy2 I/O box, they all work properly.
I'm using my older Audigy2 Platinum external I/O box with my new X-Fi Xtreme Music.

Hope this helps

7:10 PM  

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