With all that audio horsepower, one needs an application. I have that here. Testing methodology for games is to run through a section of each game and count frames with FRAPS. At least 3 runs were averaged to reach a final number. Since FRAPS is highly gameplay dependent, a well defined set of activities is adhered to while playing.

A new wrinkle of using 5.1 surround sound for the default test mode is now standard. This tests how well the cards (or games) support this output mode, including subjective impressions.

I compared the X-Fi Prelude to the regular X-Fi XtremeMusic, and the X-Meridian 7.1 on several different games, set to 5.1 surround, including:

• Bioshock, 1024x768, EAX on, 5.1 surround
• Battlefield 2142, 1024x768, EAX HD and software, 5.1 surround
• Half-Life2: Episode One, 1024x768, 5.1 surround

Applications used in this test:

• RMAA 6.0.5
• RM3D 2.3
• FRAPS 2.9.1, build 6682

The test machine is quite ancient, but it is functional, and if you let Valve collect statistics on your computer, it is right in the majority.

• AMD X2 3800+ S939
• Asus A8N-SLI
• 2GB DDR RAM
• nVidia 7800GT (6.14.0011.6218)
• 120GB Seagate HDD
• X-Fi Prelude (6.0.1.1281)
• X-Fi XtremeMusic (5.12.6.1187)
• X-Meridian (5.12.1.8)
• DX9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
• Windows XP Professional (all patched)

Onward and awkward.