Auzentech Unveils X-Fi Forte 7.1 Native PCI Express Soundcard

[malware]

Auzentech has unveiled the X-Fi Forte PCI-Express sound card. The Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 is the first Low Profile native PCI express audio card that Auzentech has designed especially for gamers and audiophiles. Compared to the X-Fi chipset reference design, the Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 has improved circuitry and components.
"A large percentage of our customers are both gamers and audiophiles," said Stephane Bae, president of Auzentech, Inc. "Increasingly, they are requesting a low-profile sound card with 'mind-blowing' audio playback for music, movies, and games. We created the Auzen X-Fi Forte with these customers in mind."




The Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 marks the first time the Creative X-Fi Native PCI Express chipset has been available in a low-profile board, as well as the first time it has been available in a a third-party soundcard.

The Auzen X-Fi Forte 7.1 soundcard is scheduled for release before the end of December of 2008. The MSRP is planned at $149.99.

Key Features

• Low Profile Audio Card
• Developed around the Creative X-Fi Native PCI Express chipset
• Dolby Digital Live for Windows XP and Vista
• DTS NeoC & DTS Interactive for Vista
• Low-profile and standard-profile brackets included

For images and full specifications, see the product page at http://auzentech.com/site/products/x-fi_forte.php

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[blobster21]

The DB15 vga-like rear plug is a great idea to free up some place on the metal bracket, while providing a 7-in-1 minijack connectors solution. i'll keep an eye on it in the future

 

[DanishDevil]

Looks like the absolute PERFECT solution for a mATX board or HTPC! Way to go Auzentech!

 

[DrPepper]

The majority of thier customers are gamers and audiophiles. Most gamers don't have low profile cases since you cant get a low profile anything that can run games at high.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Except for the fact that the card comes with a full height bracket as well... doh!

 

[OnBoard]

"The MSRP is planned at $149.99" if it was $49,99 I might get it. My onboard sound is good enough, soundcard needs to be cheap. I only need S/PDIF and some positional sound for headphones in games.

 

[DrPepper]

Except for the fact that the card comes with a full height bracket as well... doh!

frick

 

[lemonadesoda]

"The MSRP is planned at $149.99" if it was $49,99 I might get it. My onboard sound is good enough, soundcard needs to be cheap. I only need S/PDIF and some positional sound for headphones in games.

Probably expensive due to the CREATIVE chip and all those licensing fees.

 

[WarEagleAU]

Like the color and layout but I dont understand two connectors one being some sort of midi port.

 

[OnBoard]

Like the color and layout but I dont understand two connectors one being some sort of midi port.

Look at the box picture and the port makes more sense. Just a way to get multiple connectors to a small space.

 

[newtekie1]

Combining the Coax and Optical digital out into one port is a good idea, but I would loose that adaptor on the first day.

 

[freaksavior]

Look at the box picture and the port makes more sense. Just a way to get multiple connectors to a small space.

You mean like this one

 

[Mussels]

lol the auzen uses a VGA port and the auzen uses a DVI. lol.

nice card, i'm glad its half height - less airflow restrictions in a case.

 

[department76]

You mean like this one

but that ones done that way so it can light up gay LEDs on razors special matching headphones. i love my prelude and i'd take an auzen any day over a razor POS.

 

[imperialreign]

surprised I missed this!

Anyhow, that's a damn nice looking card, for some funky reason, I'm diggin the neon-green caps . . . I wonder how UV reactive they are . . .

Asides, though, considering the size of "quality" PCB components, and a half-width PCB . . . I wonder how crammed tha backside is

Nice to see another native PCIE audio card to market . . . TBH, the Titanium has got to be the most solid Creative card I've ever had - no audio hiccups due to hardware BUS bickering . . .

I'm even more impressed that Creative is backing off their grip on the X-Fi APU even more, allowing Auzen to cash-in on the brand new APU as well . . . although, I'd love to see some more manufacturers start using the APU as well, or at least design somthing that can compete in the processing realm.