You might be content with your onboard sound chip, but Creative is out to convince you otherwise with its new X-Fi (short for extreme fidelity) range of soundcards.

By housing 51 million transistors, Creative makes the claim that X-Fi is as big a jump from current technology as Soundblaster Live was from the original Soundblaster range.

The changes mainly relate to increased fidelity through support for higher frequency recording and playback, and more audio channels. X-Fi is a modular design, which means the card can load and unload sections of its own system software as required. This leads to three software-switchable modes ­ gaming, entertainment and audio creation.

So the big question is, does it sound better? Games need to be written (or patched) to take advantage of the technology, but in those that are, such as the X-Fi edition of Unreal Tournament 2004, the sound is noticeably more atmospheric, which results in truly immersive gameplay.

In entertainment mode, X-Fi uses its CMSS-3D technology to up-mix a standard two-channel input in real time for surround-sound speakers. It will also provide virtual surround sound with a two-channel system, such as a set of headphones. CMSS-3D is definitely an improvement on previous virtual surround-sound processing techniques, but its effectiveness varies depending on the type of audio.

The third mode, audio creation, allows for realtime effects processing and makes use of the huge number of inputs on the supplied breakout I/O box (PICTURED). All audio creation features are accessed through a dedicated interface.

Creative’s X-Fi is undoubtedly a huge step forward, but it’s expensive and still waiting for mainstream software support. Great for audiophiles and dedicated gamers, but our advice to everyone else is to hold off until support increases and prices fall.