SB Live Platinum PC system on DEALS page

[TLK914]

Greetings all...
Figured Id break this down for those who want to know more:

This is LAST YEARS Mobo/case system. It has SEVERAL major potential issues for new systems that should be considered:

1 - The Soundblaster Live Platinum soundcard is actually an ON THE MOTHERBOARD CHIP with the Blaster Board...So NO...you CANNOT swap it to your current system and save 10-40 bucks over the retail cost of a Live Platinum. Now will the PLATINUM CONTROLLER pack it comes with fit on any platinum card...this is the version designed for the ON THE MOBO chip, and it also wont fit into a standard ATX case.

2 - The Mobo is an older BX board...and I do mean OLDER! Only supports DMA33, AGP2x, 100mhz FSB speed, and has only 4 PCI slots and 2 ISA slots. BX means its perfectly fucntional and stable, but as far as future expandability...dont expect a ton. PC133 is the current standard for FSB, and even that is dwindling fast...and DMA 33 went out well OVER a year ago.

3 - The case is a medium tower...but Ive seen em...its a TIGHT midtower...with only 3 5.25 slots, and the power supply is a weakish 215 watt(If its like the early version) that probably couldnt support an Athlon or a GeForce if you wanted to reuse the case...youd almost have to update the power supply to 250w or more. Further, this Mobo was not rated well for overclocking...though thats always a guess as to when it will work for anyone.

4 - Again...the other pieces are not re-useable. The FM Tuner is simply a basic radio tuner add-on, and the IR remote is neat...but will ONLY work with this case and Mobo...so dont plan on piecing a new system together with these parts. This could be the foundation of a VERY DECENT system core with wonderful sound for ANY user...but it IS NOT for the performance or PC tweaking enthusiast...so keep in mind.

Kelly
http://www.INMATRIX.COM
The PC DVD Info source!

[M_A_C]

Good info TLK914.

[legend]

THIS IS NOT THE PLATINUM CARD 5.1 THE REMOTE ISN'T THE SAME THERE IS NO OPTICAL OUT AND THE VOLUME ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE HEADPHONES AND THE MIC INPUT ARE NON EXISTENT. I hope noone got in on this. Very false information on the Front of the deals page. I think we've come to expect a bit more from the Apex team. I would clarify on the front page the things that have been said here as some of the users here may not be as technical as others. Once again this is not the platinum 5.1 sound card so comparison can not be submitted on the pricing structure. BUYER BEWARE!!!

[IrishSS]

Originally posted by legend
THIS IS NOT THE PLATINUM CARD 5.1 THE REMOTE ISN'T THE SAME THERE IS NO OPTICAL OUT AND THE VOLUME ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE HEADPHONES AND THE MIC INPUT ARE NON EXISTENT. I hope noone got in on this. Very false information on the Front of the deals page. I think we've come to expect a bit more from the Apex team. I would clarify on the front page the things that have been said here as some of the users here may not be as technical as others. Once again this is not the platinum 5.1 sound card so comparison can not be submitted on the pricing structure. BUYER BEWARE!!!

That was my thinking too. It seems to be as if the SB Live is the first-generation Platinum, not the Platinum 5.1. Only on the G|A? pages here does it state it is the 5.1, and on their pages, they use the 5.1 a little deceptivly. They say it does 5.1 sound, which it does, but there is a difference in doing 5.1 sound and being the Platinum 5.1.

[CDX74]

hmmm, good thing my dad wouldn't let me get it then... ;)