soundstorm vs Fortissimo III vs Santa Cruz

[shawshank62]

replacing sound card (ac97) in moms computers and i wanted to know. Soundstorm nforce 2 (what is on my mobo) vs. GameSurround Fortissimo III 7.1 vs. (what i currently have) Santa Cruz.

I am very pleased with the Santa Cruz, but would getting the Forissimo be better? I do a lot of gaming btw. or would i be best off just using the onboard nforce2 soundstorm? Speakers are PM 4.1

Well, there isn't any use in having a 7.1 if you've only got a 4.1 system, if you still need to buy the Fortissimo. But on the other hand, I'm using the Soundstorm on my new board, and it seems to have a reverb that I just can't get rid of. Something to ask around about maybe. I couldn't find anything on the web, but who knows?

Otherwise, I've got an AL 4.1 setup (641s) and the Soundstorm works beautifully in surround gaming mode. Scares me playing Unreal 2 when things come up behind me. Heh.

[shawshank62]

i have read some reviews about the hercules and everyone says its excellent for gaming....and im not really concerned about the nstorm....cause i probably wouldnt use it anyway....it doesnt have enough plugs for my speakers and microphone. just curios to see how it compares. so i guess its just the hercules vs. santa cruz.

is there any type of benchmarking utility for soundcards that i could use?

yeah i know 7.1 is useless, but so is 5.1 (to me that is)....its nice to have the extra crap if you need it.

[shawshank62]

well since no one else really has anything to weigh in on....i decided to order the Fortissmo III....ill write a review too