ASUS Xonar HDAV1.3 7.1 Channel PCI-E HDMI 1.3A Compliant Audio / Video Enhancement Sound Card

Comment:
This card was a god sent when I first bought it, to be able to hear movies in next gen audio from my HTPC was awesome. The card is full size and in my particular setup it means I have to run my memory in single channel mode or the back of the card is butted right up against the memory, not cool.Total Media Theater is the only software that works with this card for watching Blu-Ray, no big deal it works perfectly. IMO this is a HTPC audio card and not a gamer card, I don't play games so no issues for me just using it for movies and music.Now with the ATI 5 series cards passing next gen audio correctly through the HDMI out you can by-pass this card and put the $200 into a video card.

Comment:
NOT TRUE PCIE, it sucks that ASUS XONAR's still are not true PCI-E, they rather use that PLX chip, and as well u need to run a 2nd power cable to it! Now if they were true PCIE they would not need a power cable, and would get better bandwidth. I also have a Creative Labs X-FI and it get way better FPS in games and EAX 5.0 is like 50 times better (well ASUS een admitted they have NO EAX 5.0 http://techgage.com/article/creative_eax_vs_asus_ds3d_gx_20/ )all in all this is a GREAT sound card for MUSIC and MOVIES, but or Games Creative Labs stomps all over this thing!

Comment:
A great sound card coming from an XFI card that really blows my 555s away! Only downside is the high price on this card.