Quote:
On Windows XP I might agree, but this is 2012 and EAX is dead. The Creative advantage just doesn't exist on Vista/Windows7 like it did on earlier versions of Windows. Notice the absence of Creative logos on modern games? It hasn't been a selling point for some time. However, I think there is some benefit with OpenAL game engines . . . assuming said game is CPU and not GPU limited. Of course, if we are talking OpenAL, then ASUS is probably the better option as it directly supports OpenAL - which hasn't always been the case with Creative. As for music sound quality (remember the OPs 50% use case?), at least a couple models of the ASUS Xonar line have got some pretty good reviews from no one less than John Atkinson. I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss ASUS.
As to Dolby Surround versus CMSS-3D with headphones for gaming . . . I disagree completely. You are entitled to your opinion of course. Please allow for the possibility that those with differing opinions might be just as informed as you are.
While the OP didn't explicitly mention console gaming, I don't know too many PC gamers that don't also own at least one console. Thus the mix amp's versatility might prove useful in ways an internal PC sound card never can.
Incorrect on several fronts. You might think EAX is dead, just like countless people who don't know better and tie EAX with DirectSound3D. Or people who think game EAX is the same as multimedia EAX, or even people that are completely unaware that separate features of several EAX specs are spread and used all over, without specific indication, precisely to favor the less gaming audio capable cards, such as all cards made by Asus. But that's a subject for another discussion.
Your second mistake is stating wrong information regarding Asus and OpenAL. Asus only has software OpenAL support, the same as a measly onboard audio chip, while Creative and Creative licensed chips are the only products that support hardware OpenAL.
Third, there isn't any internal soundcard made by Asus that outperforms Creative's top card, namely each consumer flagship product, the Asus Xonar Essence STX and the Creative X-Fi Titanium HD.
Dolby Headphone (not "Surround") and CMSS-3D are similar techs with rather different implementations. I don't consider any to be better than the other, rather than different sounding with rather similar results.
Mixamp is a low quality product, easily beaten by even an average internal soundcard, and the only useful field for the Mixamp is consoles alone, therefore it's very much non recommended.
Before you come here and post uninformed statements, I advise you to do your research prior to posting.