ASUS Xonar DX 7.1 PCI-E Sound Card
Packaging & Contents
Published: 6th May 2008 | Source: Asus | Price: £60.00 |
Packaging & Contents
The exterior of the box is what we have become accustomed to with Asus. Very professional layout with a picture of the card along with the signature Xonar ‘blue-wave’ splashed across the front of the box along with a brief list of features. The rear of the packaging again shows a brief feature list, translated into various languages.
The side panels display the specifications for the more technically curious along with contents and the obligatory system requirements
The box has a pop up layer that delves further into the packed feature set of the card along with a brief explanation of the DX’s primary feature D3D GX 2.0 which we will come to later in the review. It also goes onto explain another of its features, VocalFX which further enhances the appeal of the card to prospective buyers.
Opening the box up we are greeted with the card loosely packaged in an anti static bag seated in a black cardboard frame which while serving its purpose I couldn’t help but feel a blister style pack would be more presentable and provide a sturdier package. It is however a snug enough fit to ensure the card won’t rattle around during transit and should reach the consumer in perfect condition.
The side panels display the specifications for the more technically curious along with contents and the obligatory system requirements
The box has a pop up layer that delves further into the packed feature set of the card along with a brief explanation of the DX’s primary feature D3D GX 2.0 which we will come to later in the review. It also goes onto explain another of its features, VocalFX which further enhances the appeal of the card to prospective buyers.
Opening the box up we are greeted with the card loosely packaged in an anti static bag seated in a black cardboard frame which while serving its purpose I couldn’t help but feel a blister style pack would be more presentable and provide a sturdier package. It is however a snug enough fit to ensure the card won’t rattle around during transit and should reach the consumer in perfect condition.
Taking the cardboard frame out of the exterior box we find the accessories:
• Asus Xonar DX support CD
• Additional low profile bracket
• S/PDIF TOSLINK optical adapter
• Quick installation guide
So everything you need to get you started. The guide is presented in 7 languages, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Greek. While it’s brief, the A5 size pages are clear enough to enable even the novice pc builder to install the card with the minimum of difficulty aided with well presented pictures and concise instructions (albeit in B&W) provided.
Most Recent Comments
Nice review webbo.
Good move by Asus tbh, but they need to be on top of the driver support!
Creative could slip further down the pan.
Good move by Asus tbh, but they need to be on top of the driver support!
Creative could slip further down the pan.
Nice review, good to see some soundcard action.
Manufs need to make these cards with; front panel support; connection for internal HMDI support; low profile; solid drivers for XP/Vista 32/64bit - as almost a standard.
Asus are not particularly some1 I`m wanting to either look for support or driver upd8s. They`re are exactly Creative in that department, but they don`t personally fill me with enthusiasm either. That`s just me, I don`t buy their products when there`s a viable alternative for just that reason.
£60 is an ~ok~ price for me. I`d be happier if it settled around £40-£50, but that`ll take some time.
Like to have a comparison playoff with ASUS, Auzen, Creative - and let`s say an Abit IP35 Pro onboard, as a look into the qualities, drivers, performance and price.
For the +/- using Vista 64bit and these choices, I`m edging towards taking the soundcards out of the systems tbh.
Manufs need to make these cards with; front panel support; connection for internal HMDI support; low profile; solid drivers for XP/Vista 32/64bit - as almost a standard.
Asus are not particularly some1 I`m wanting to either look for support or driver upd8s. They`re are exactly Creative in that department, but they don`t personally fill me with enthusiasm either. That`s just me, I don`t buy their products when there`s a viable alternative for just that reason.
£60 is an ~ok~ price for me. I`d be happier if it settled around £40-£50, but that`ll take some time.
Like to have a comparison playoff with ASUS, Auzen, Creative - and let`s say an Abit IP35 Pro onboard, as a look into the qualities, drivers, performance and price.
For the +/- using Vista 64bit and these choices, I`m edging towards taking the soundcards out of the systems tbh.
I was a little hesitant about the price too but when you consider you are virtually getting a D2X (minus the frills) for half the price then it works out at a half decent price point. What most should consider I guess is the need for high performing audio over 'adequate' onboard solutions. IF all you do is surf the net then I guess onboard is fine but if your PC is a multimedia gateway then a dedicated solution is much better imo.
I am also concerned about driver support but we can only hope Asus keep on the ball with this one, either way it surely can't be as bad as Creative.
I am also concerned about driver support but we can only hope Asus keep on the ball with this one, either way it surely can't be as bad as Creative.
Excellent Review, much respect webbo: Wu-Tang Clan FTW!! 
I have a cheapo soundcard right now but if I'm looking to upgrade I'll definatley consider this, but tbh I don't know how much benefit I'd get running through the Aux on my 2.1 system, I wish 2.1 was listed as an option on my sound control panel but sadly I'm stuck with 2.0 or virtual 5.1 
I have a cheapo soundcard right now but if I'm looking to upgrade I'll definatley consider this, but tbh I don't know how much benefit I'd get running through the Aux on my 2.1 system, I wish 2.1 was listed as an option on my sound control panel but sadly I'm stuck with 2.0 or virtual 5.1 good review 
looks like a niceish card actually
and as for the comment about all the connectors being gold, you make a good point, but on the alternative side, green, pink and blue looks rather tacky ...
gold looks profesional, even if you dont know where to plug your wire
looks like a niceish card actually
and as for the comment about all the connectors being gold, you make a good point, but on the alternative side, green, pink and blue looks rather tacky ...
gold looks profesional, even if you dont know where to plug your wire
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='Kerotan'
Excellent Review, much respect webbo: Wu-Tang Clan FTW!!
I have a cheapo soundcard right now but if I'm looking to upgrade I'll definatley consider this, but tbh I don't know how much benefit I'd get running through the Aux on my 2.1 system, I wish 2.1 was listed as an option on my sound control panel but sadly I'm stuck with 2.0 or virtual 5.1 |
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by name='ionicle'
good review
looks like a niceish card actually and as for the comment about all the connectors being gold, you make a good point, but on the alternative side, green, pink and blue looks rather tacky ... gold looks profesional, even if you dont know where to plug your wire |
Thx for your kind comments guys - my first review (of many hopefully) on OC3D
ne1 recommend any DTS enabled cards?
Xonar D2X?
Cool review, interested in the newest model. Always nice to have alternatives from the Creative crap... Well, not crap. Hardware is ok, but software/drivers suck. I think Auzentech has a great card which is based on the Creative chip, but costs just as much as the most expensive one too.
I know this is reviving an old review/thread but i have been wondering for a while now if yall had to do anything special to get the certain sound settings in BF2 while using this card I've never been able to get them with out an error.Its never let me choose x-fi and ultra.
Reading this review when it came out helped persude me to choose this card instead of a xtreme gamer, I've just never been able to get the Bf2 settings right with any option config.
Reading this review when it came out helped persude me to choose this card instead of a xtreme gamer, I've just never been able to get the Bf2 settings right with any option config.
Change the settings in BF2 config. It's the only way you get Ultra settings to work but I have my doubts whether it actually does anything anyhow as I couldn't tell the difference between ultra and high
Do you mean in the config files themselves or in the BF2 menu, because when I try the xfi option it just tells me I don't have one. Ty for replying.
You wont get ultra settings on any card as it can only be enabled via the config files.
Your soundcard however should be recognised as an XFI, the review sample was.
Your soundcard however should be recognised as an XFI, the review sample was.
Yeah, that's the problem mine dosent get recognized as an xfi with or with out the gx enabled on the asus control panel, I don't know if its the card itself or what its currently set at hardware and high in the BF2 menu, is there a big change between that and xfi mode with the EAX enabled? Thanks again
What operating system are you using?
EAX can only be emulated in vista thorugh Alchemy software and the Asus exquivelant. The sounds are pretty much the same. Perhaps the easiest place to test it is in two areas.
Kubra dam - go into one of the tunnels and everything should echo/reverb.
Karkhand - Iirc you can here the occassional dog barking and a bell occassionally ringing.
The main effects though are the echo's that I could discern and a clearer more 'atmospheric' sound. There is little to choose between the XFI EAX and Xonar GX though so I wouldn;t lose sleep over it, especially as BF2 is now an aging game by todays standards anyway.
EAX can only be emulated in vista thorugh Alchemy software and the Asus exquivelant. The sounds are pretty much the same. Perhaps the easiest place to test it is in two areas.
Kubra dam - go into one of the tunnels and everything should echo/reverb.
Karkhand - Iirc you can here the occassional dog barking and a bell occassionally ringing.
The main effects though are the echo's that I could discern and a clearer more 'atmospheric' sound. There is little to choose between the XFI EAX and Xonar GX though so I wouldn;t lose sleep over it, especially as BF2 is now an aging game by todays standards anyway.
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Asus Xonar DX Review