Sound Card Help

[terraphile]

I need a sound card, and I'm very conflicted. I will game and listen to music, and Money is also a concern.
The cards I'm considering far:

M-Revolution 7.1
SB audigy zs
Chaintech 7.1
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz

Most people say the ZS is the best for gaming, but I've vaugely heard something about using the audigy drivers or bios flashes with the other cards to get improved gaming directional sound. Is this possible?
Also I've heard cards other than the audigy get big framerate hits with EAX maybe this is because of software?

Lastly, I heard that doom III does not care about what sound card you use, that it's EAX will always be the same. Is this the case with HL2, because if it is, and it is a trend, I will probably just get the chaintech.

 

[Blain]

 

[Algere]

M-Audio Revolution 5.1/7.1 if music is 1st priority
Chaintech AV-710 if you're on a budget
Creative Audigy 2 ZS if gaming is 1st priority
TBSC is too old to put into consideration

I've vaugely heard something about using the audigy drivers or bios flashes with the other cards to get improved gaming directional sound. Is this possible?

Highly doubt it.

Also I've heard cards other than the audigy get big framerate hits with EAX maybe this is because of software?

Audigy w/ hardware acceleration vs. sound card without hardware acceleration.

Lastly, I heard that doom III does not care about what sound card you use, that it's EAX will always be the same. Is this the case with HL2, because if it is, and it is a trend, I will probably just get the chaintech.

Last time I had/played Doom 3 it didn't have EAX or I didn't see that option (EAX patch update?) & I don't think HL2 utilizes EAX as there's no mention of any EAX options in game nor are there any on my HL2 [retail] box.

 

[BFG10K]

Also I've heard cards other than the audigy get big framerate hits with EAX maybe this is because of software?

It's still a lot faster than it is on other sound cards.

 

[BOLt]

I have a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS PCI Sound Card and it r0x0rz mi b0x0rz.

...

But seriously, it's so amazing that I don't think I could recommend anything else. Retails for about $65 USD after a rebate if you can find one. I've seen it for $70 USD without rebate and not on sale, so your choices are pretty good as far as price.

Good luck, hope you find the one to fit you!