   new SoundBlaster Audigy
  I just bought a SoundBlaster Audigy from Wallmart. I know the card it’s self is pretty old because their in 5th generation now. But it does sound better then what I did have: VIA Intergraded Sound using Realtek Drivers. I may be wrong on the VIA part, but I do know that the part of the intergraded sound is called AC’97.The old sound sucked! I lost it all the time, mostly because of an error by application. I would have to restart my computer to get my sound back. Sound though, could still be heard in windows themes (i.e. shutdown). I’m very happy with my new purchase because it was a cheap and good replacement for what I had. Now I have two sound cards; technically. But one of which is useless.I’m just wondering if there would be any good motivation to pick on the new Audigy Xfi? I would probably go for the Elite Pro because it has the most features. Then again, I may not because that means more to break. But I’ve never had a problem ONCE with a Creative Labs card. I still have a working SoundBlaster from back in the day, I think the very original one. It came with like 6 3.5 floppy install disks. They had a parrot and some doctor thing + a MIDI piano.What do some of you think?   
  As a long-time (2-3 years) owner of an Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, and a previous owner of an original Audigy, I think that unless you have any real need of 7.1 channel sound or the latest EAX features (which only a handful of games use), you should just stick with the card you have.The original Audigy is still a pretty good sound card, regardless of its age, and it's obviously better than what you had before.Above all, from a casual gamer's perspective, given the list of extra features in the Xfi, I don't think there is any measurable advantage or justifiable difference in owning an Xfi over an Audigy.Of course, I haven't owned an Xfi myself, so my opinion may not be as valuable as others, but I think the differences between the Xfi and the Audigy are not much greater than the differences between the Audigy 2 ZS and the Audigy, of which I myself, a casual gamer, have noticed little over the years.At any rate, congrats on your purchase!   ;  Well thanks for your reply. I wasn’t planning on purchasing the newer X-fi in the near future; but later-maybe. I wanted to get a new sound card any ways because the Intergraded Hardware Components I had was nothing. I mean, I broke down all the time. Plus, I also new I wanted a new Creative Labs sound card because I always remembered good quality from them; and some cool ads about the Audigy. So when I seen it at Wally-World for $30 I had to get it. I do like the card, so I will stick with it until I really need to change. For $30, you can’t complain. I just wish I could pick up more good hardware like that. Like maybe a new DVDR, or HD. NOTE : I had to buy a new keyboard the same day because mine mysteriously quite working. Wally had one for $10 even (including tax, cool huh?). Total I spent was $40. Not to shabby.;  I like their higher end audigy cards.  Well, Mainly because of the front panel they come with.  That thing is so useful it's scary at times.   