Technical Help - Sound Cards

[bscox00]

Okay, since I couldn't post this in the Apothecary, I'll post this here.

I have a via based mobo, the KT7-RAID from Abit and a Soundblaster Live X-Gamer (the original). Those who have a VIA mobo already see where this is going. Battle Scenes and the Campaign Mode both are very choppy and full of ugly white noise.

So yesterday, I got fed up and decided to start buying for the future - I bought an Audigy 2. Same/Worse problems.

Yes I've updated my drivers. Yes, I'm using the latest 4-in-1s. yes I have the PCI patch. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Will a different type of sound card help? Like Turtle Beach or Hercules? I love this game, but playing the battles without music is like watching Cubs baseball without Harry Carey. (You still get the same action, but less interesting)

I'm looking at the Hercules Game Theater 7.1 or something along those lines. (I like the breakout box).

Any help would be appreciated. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif

[MonkeyMan]

you need to turn the hardware acceleration off in your soundcard settings under control panel. This a a known problem with MTW and soundblaster cards.

http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin....2;t=591 (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=2;t=591)

http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin....2;t=447 (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=2;t=447)

http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin....2;t=597 (http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=2;t=597)

[bscox00]

If I turn off the hardware acceleration, will I lose any sound quality?

(Thanks for the quick response, too.)

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[MonkeyMan]

My best answer is i don't think so. I think the hardware acceleration attempts to take some load off the main processor and mem. But i don't really know. This has worked for me though with my SB128 super budget cheapo card.

[bscox00]

Seriously - thanks. I usually have to wait several days on other forums for a response.

But anyway - I'm an audiophile, so I'm considering getting a newer card to last me longer. I may get one of those 7.1 cards and add on a pair of nice speakers that I have laying around.

I just don't know if I like the thought of changing my soundcard acceleration for every game I play. I also play max payne, deus ex, thief, Civ3 and MDK2.

I may just bite the bullet and spend some money. What do you all think?

[MonkeyMan]

I share your sentiments, but I'm not much of a sound person myself. If you've got the money to spend and will take advantage of the extra features over a basic stereo card than that's good. I tend to plug my PC into my hi-fi so only have 2 speakers, and i have no interest in making my own music or sounds or watching DVD's on my PC. If you feel you will get your moneysworth out of something then I say go for it. Make sure you shop around for the right deal and do some research into just what you want first of course as with any hardware purchases.

Anyway so far as MTW is concerned i think for some reason its only creative cards that have probs and i don't know if it will be fixed with patches or drivers. I agree that it is a pain if you want to play something else, but i don't really notice the difference, probably something to do with my habit of watching TV and playing on the PC at the same time.

p.s. you'll find this forum is very active compared to what your used to.

[bscox00]

I've been researching over the last few weeks. And naturally, there is a computer trade show next to where I work, so I'm gonna go hunt for a deal after work.

When/how am I able to post in the apothecary, by the by?

[MonkeyMan]

http://www.totalwar.org/cgi-bin/forum/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=2292

look up my friend look up.

[bscox00]

Gracias. I'll just be patient. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Nikola Barac]

Quote[/b] (bscox00 @ Nov. 22 2002,12:23)]...
I may just bite the bullet and spend some money. What do you all think?
Audigy2 is very good choice but not on VIA chipsets.
all KT chips up to 333 have very slow connection between
Southbridge and Northbridge and that is the main reason for that ugly white noise. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif
However, VIA corrected this 'bug' with KT400 chip wich now have bridge connection on 533mb/s.
But as audiophile you should more seriously consider
buying mobo with nforce2 chip since it has 800mb/s http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif
comunication northsouth (SPP Northbridge and MCP-T Southbridge),
btw. Chaintech Zenith (nforce2) is my fav.

Now is up to you http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[bscox00]

Hmm...that's some good food for thought. I'm just considering my budget and the simplest solution may be a new sound card. I mean, a new mobo would mean new RAM, etc.

[Nikola Barac]

You asked, I answered :-) LOL

however, if you decide to buy this be sure not to buy only one
RAM stick, rather buy two same sticks (e.g. CorsairMicro DDR3200 2x256 meg) since nforce2 supports Dual Channel, bla bla... :-)

[bscox00]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pissed.gif

Okay....so I bought a Santa Cruz. Now i'm getting choppy play in the battles. Argh.

I've got 512 Megs of Memory, A Geforce4 4200. 900mhz Athlon

Argh.

Thoughts?

[Basileus]

Might be hardware acceleration, seriously though you shouldnt be having problems with that set up hhm, which OS are you using.?

[MonkeyMan]

He has a point, that set up should kick MTW into touch and laugh at it. Check out the apothicary for tips on sound card and graphics card settings. Really the hardware acceleration, graphics mem settings and the antialiasing are the real factors in performance. I don't rally know what a santa cruz is but never-mind. I'm pretty sure with your system that MTW should run good, it really is a case of settings. Feel free to post here any questions i'll be back in a day or so to see if i can help.

In the meantime i have a athlon 550 and it's just plain not up to it regardless.

[KukriKhan]

MonkeyMan and Nikola Barac, you've earned major 'props' for the able assist.

bscox00 and Basileus: you'll be able to post everywhere soon. Welcome to the Org http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[bscox00]

Latest updates - I did a little tweaking last night and this morning. I force turned off FSAA and set my nvidia drivers to 30.82. That seems to have REALLY helped.

The only time i get slow downs in battle now are when I'm focused on a few hundred soldiers in one place. Like i'll start a random battle, order all men forward (running) and i get some pretty good slow down. Not unplayable, just...well...annoying. Like 3/4 speed or 1/2 speed.

Any thoughts?

I'm running WinXP Pro
KT7-RAID
512 Megs PC133
Geforce4 4200 64meg version
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz (I'm liking the programmable port)
3com Network card (i'm NOT connected to the internet)
My HD is a Seagate with less than 8.9ms access speed (don't remember the model number)

When I play, I always turn off every program possible.

Any help would be appreciated. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Nikola Barac]

bscox00
Don't be surprised, cos i've
XP1800+@1650MHz
512DDR Samsung PC2700@144MHz
Asus A7V333/R/U/F
Maxtor 2*40Gb 7200 RAID 0
Radeon 8500
Win XP SP1
and occasionally I run on some slowdowns,
and on the other rig (PIV 1.6, 256Mb) sometimes
games is almost unplayable.

However, you may try to enable Sideband Adressing,
Fastwrites, check that your AGP setting is on 4x
and something like that (do little experimenting
with your bios settings) also you can download
RIVA Tuner, NVMAX or PowerStrip and try to change
your Graphic Adapter settings. There's lots of stuff
you can try. And... if you're not to afraid of
OverClocking and have decent cooling for your CPU
you could try to raise little bit FSB speed.
(memory latency could be problem here? but that's
one BIG could)

KukriKhan
What does mean that major 'props' I've earned?
Sorry on my ignorance http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[KukriKhan]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Heh, Nikola Barac, 'major props' is an American slang for: proper respect, meaning, I see a good deed or outstanding accomplishment, and will credit that person in public and hold him in high esteem.

Sorry, no money involved...but I will buy you a beer when/if we meet. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Nikola Barac]

So you're playing safe cos' there's no chance I'll be visiting
States soon http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif

I'm thinking about putting small disclamer on the bottom,
just under my signature: Broken English involved in this post,
please don't laugh to loud
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[Spetulhu]

Wrong approach. You should always go for the I`m proud of my particular accent http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Nikola Barac]

LOL I'll try to remember that http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif