Creative 5.1 sound + Windows XP = poor Jedi Outcast performance

[CGMneon]

It has been discussed previously in this section how poor the performance of Jedi Knight 2 can be when using Creative sound cards. There may be hope out there yet, though, if this web page is to be believed. (FYI: there have been several pages that have said new Creative 5.1 drivers are in the works, and already new Live drivers came out in mid-July. An Audigy update is set for mid/late August.)

 

http://www.3dsoundsurge.com/drivers/Audigy/Windows2000.html

 

Of particularly interest on this Windows 2000/XP page is the part that discusses new Audigy drivers that are available on a Compaq CD. The section says of the new Compaq disc: "If you still want to give it a shot you can find download links and some details on Warp2Search. Words on the newsgroups so far is it does (at least for Audigy users) include the OpenAL support and it (the OpenAL support) does deliver on the promise of noticeable faster performance in Jedi Knight 2."

 

So if you have an Audigy and suffer from poor performance, see if you can find the Compaq CD to give yourself a lift (at least until Creative releases drivers on their web site later). Be warned, though - the Compaq CD is 377 megs!

[CGMneon]

My game performance in games like Star Wars Jedi Outcast is STILL pathetic.

I have left now just two reasons to conclude that the Audigy is indeed the problem causing the less-than-expected Frames Per Second. (1) There is a DRASTIC drop in frames per second when I switch on EAX - from mid 30s down to upper teens.

(2) Reports from other posters that getting a different brand of sound card have increased their speed.

 

My specs:

*VisionTek Xtasy GeForce 4 Ti 4600 (128)

*Pentium 4 1.6 gig

*1.5 gigs Ram

*4 hard drives, each at 7200 (60/80/60/80)

*MSI 6528 LE motherboard

*Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum

*Windows XP Professional Edition - with latest updates

 

I know I've given little info to actually solve my slow Frames Per Second problem (assuming it even is a sound issue), but just offhand do you have any suggestions as to how I can speed up game speed? Is there a sound card out there that can perform better than an Audigy Platinum in a game like Jedi Outcast? If perhaps I have Windows/Audigy software configured incorrectly, is there something I should look for to fix?

Thanks for your help in advance.

[Spore Cloud]

I get this problem even without EAX, and I too am using a Sound Blaster Audigy. Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum to be more specific. and this problem does not happen unless I patch JKII.

[Emon]

Your problems are probably due to Win XP, seeing as it sucks ass.