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    Upgrade my Sound Card

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Kazalor, Dec 18, 2011.

  1. Kazalor

    Kazalor Notebook Consultant

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    Hey guys, I have the stock M15x sound card, ( I have a GPU and CPU upgrade) and I was wondering if I could just purchase a separate external card and run it through the laptop? I am very newbish when it comes to sound cards, so please correct me if I am horribly wrong. Would I need anything else? cables, adapters,etc? Thanks.

    Kazalor
     
    Kazalor, Dec 18, 2011
    #1
  2. xeroxide

    xeroxide Notebook Deity

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    you mean an external soundcard?
    sure something that either connects to usb or expresscard will work.

    i have a soundblaster X-Fi pro go usb stick which works well for a nice pair of cans i bought many years back.


    in terms of cables and stuff, that depends on the card you buy. some will need lots, others... almost nothing. i've seen full 5.1 aux out setups from usb ports which would require many cables and then on the other hand mine just requires a single 3.5mm jack.
     
    xeroxide, Dec 18, 2011
    #2
  3. Kazalor

    Kazalor Notebook Consultant

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    So the sound blaster connects to an external USB and is then good to go? Do you need to DL drivers, and once it's connected, it will improve sounds for everything, games, and music and stuff? Could you link me to the one you bought? Thanks.
     
    Kazalor, Dec 19, 2011
    #3
  4. JohnnyFlash

    JohnnyFlash Notebook Virtuoso

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    For playback, the onboard chipset is pretty decent quality. Unless you're running speakers in the $600-800 range, you're not going to notice the difference.
     
    JohnnyFlash, Dec 19, 2011
    #4
  5. Kazalor

    Kazalor Notebook Consultant

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    I'm using headphones, would I notice differences in games like skyrim and bf3?
     
    Kazalor, Dec 20, 2011
    #5
  6. djan84

    djan84 Notebook Consultant

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    Buy CREATIVE X-FI EXTREME NOTEBOOK 7.1 PCMCI EXPRESS. You will definitely notice differences.

    Amazon has it.
     
    djan84, Dec 20, 2011
    #6
  7. Kazalor

    Kazalor Notebook Consultant

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    Is it as simple as plug and play?
     
    Kazalor, Dec 20, 2011
    #7
  8. djan84

    djan84 Notebook Consultant

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    windows 7 recognizes it plugnplay. But you better download latest drivers from creatives web site.
     
    djan84, Dec 21, 2011
    #8
  9. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    Get a USB DAC like the Nuforce uDAC2. The sound is amazing and I love playing BF3 with it and my Bose QC2 headphones. :D Sounds like angels dancing on my eardrums.
     
    DR650SE, Dec 21, 2011
    #9
  10. csin

    csin Notebook Consultant

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    That sounds painfull.
     
    csin, Dec 21, 2011
    #10
  11. Kazalor

    Kazalor Notebook Consultant

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    Kazalor, Dec 21, 2011
    #11
  12. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    Mexic00ls, Dec 21, 2011
    #12
  13. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    These are very gental and graceful Angels, complete with harp music :p
     
    DR650SE, Dec 21, 2011
    #13
  14. Kazalor

    Kazalor Notebook Consultant

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    Kazalor, Dec 22, 2011
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  15. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    Mexic00ls, Dec 22, 2011
    #15
  16. fatboyslimerr

    fatboyslimerr Alienware M15x Fanatic

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    fatboyslimerr, Apr 2, 2013
    #16
  17. ModularMix

    ModularMix Newbie

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    Echo Audio Indigo DJX Express Card Audio Interface, its an audiophile card primarily meant for music production and DJ-ing ie DAW. It comes with an ASIO driver to ensure low audio-latency within Windows Vista/7. These are no longer produced but you can find them new on ebay. I owned the pcmcia version, and can recommend these. You may need to check for Windows 8 compatibility but i guess it will work, its Windows 7/Vista/XP/OS X(Hackintosh). The saleprice is on the high side if you want tho use them only for normal audio purposes under windows.

    Here an review: https://www.digitaljockey.it/dij/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=487:recensioneechoindigodjx&catid=101&Itemid=56&lang=en
     
    ModularMix, Apr 3, 2013
    #17
  18. fatboyslimerr

    fatboyslimerr Alienware M15x Fanatic

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    Bit pricey for me but thanks anyway. Think the Creative one will do just fine. Read many excellent reviews on it.
     
    fatboyslimerr, Apr 3, 2013
    #18
  19. mrigankp

    mrigankp Notebook Geek

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    Sorry to dig up this old thread. I am currently looking to purchase an external sound card. After a little bit of research, it appears that the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Notebook Sound Card and the Creative Soundblaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro USB Audio System with THX SB1095 seem to be the 2 affordable and best options.

    Does anyone have any other suggestions for under AUD 80? My main use would be for my headphones while gaming and also when my laptop is connected to my TV/5.1 Home Theatre for movies.

    Any suggestions/comments would be highly appreciated.
     
    mrigankp, Jun 8, 2013
    #19
  20. mrigankp

    mrigankp Notebook Geek

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    bump sound
     
    mrigankp, Jun 12, 2013
    #20
  21. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Most of the ones available will require drivers to be downloaded. I personally use the Soundblaster X-Fi Pro Go USB and has worked wonderfully so far.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jun 12, 2013
    #21
  22. mrigankp

    mrigankp Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for that!
     
    mrigankp, Jun 12, 2013
    #22