Realtek R2.16 X-Fi mod driver

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satyanjoy

satyanjoy

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I found this interesting piece of Driver mod - where you can get the Creative X-Fi features in your Realtek HD onboard sound.

The Crapative software does NOT work in Vista. You may try running it in compatibility mode, but if that doesn't work your out of luck.

I said I would, and here it is ! Very nice little upgrade from standard crappy Realtek drivers
wink.gif
There is just one issue though, the Creative software is a 30 day trial. These drivers may miff Creative something fierce, do I care? Nah. I suggest Creative actually start making decent products with the right components (ie; use proper audio caps and the like not normal caps) instead of hyping their cards as this an that when in reality its 90% software driven.

To clarify, what I've done here is not illegal for the following reasons;

1. I'm not asking any money for this.
2. I'm not changing any DLL files or the like.
3. What I'm doing to enable this stuff is just text file editing .
4. I'm not "stealing" anything. ( How can you steal whats volintarily and readily available as free downloads ? )
5. Its not Creative drivers I'm messing with, just Realteks own drivers.
6. The crapative software suit is available as free download from gigabyte.

Install size variations

All Realtek HDA codecs are different in some way, thus your final modded driver install size may vary from mine (60MB), but rest assured the modded driver install size will be bigger than a generic Realtek install and sound quality *WILL be quite significantly better.

* Overall sound quality improvements will be subject to how good your speakers / headphones are.

Install issues

If your having trouble installing the modded driver ensure that;

- Your onboard codec is a Realtek chip and that it is *HDA capable
- Be SURE the Realtek codec is set to work in *HDA in your BIOS
- Disable digital signing in Vista

* HDA = High Definition Audio
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As usual, let me know how it all works for you.
Click to expand...

Main Article is Here

I have downloaded the Mod and Creative software - will try tonight.
 
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thanks mate :) This is really interesting & exciting. I did some digging on this topic yesterday and found this - guys claimed that 97% of creative sound performance is software based - Azuntec are asus are the real soundcard maker- this is hugely debatable so far.
 
virus32win said:
Soft mod Working in XP, Sound quality also improved :hap2:

Here are snapshots

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wow - congrats mate !! btw which mobo are you using ?

what process did you followed ? Is it like the same as we do for ATI to Nvidia or visavis in graphics card ( uninstall the current driver,restart in safe mode - driver cleaner >shutdown/restart > install new device +install new driver > install new software (if required)
 
ASUS M2N68-AM with ALC662/883 audio chip.

Procedure i followed

1.Uninstall Realtek Drivers reboot

2.Installation of Realtek XP X-Fi mod R2.21 reboot

3.Now Final reboot with installation of X-Fi Software Suit.

Sound really improved with modded drivers.
 
I have done it !!!! ..sound is comparativly better. However I am not able to fully realize it - as I am using my an old pair frontech speaker..I will try with my creative 4.1 as soon as got a new pair of cable
 
Installed the drivers on xp, working well as of now...sound quality has noticably increased on my Panny HT265 headfones, will try on my T6060 and win7 in the morning.
Any resumable download links for the creative x-fi software suite?

Thnx:hap2:
 
iGo said:
This is too tempting to let go without trying... has anybody tried this on Win7?
Click to expand...

exactly what i wanna know too. has anyone tried this on win 7?

anyways, im downloading this now and will try it tomorrow. :D

satyanjoy said:
I have done it !!!! ..sound is comparativly better. However I am not able to fully realize it - as I am using my an old pair frontech speaker..I will try with my creative 4.1 as soon as got a new pair of cable
Click to expand...

but you have done it on xp na?

the original thread on that forum was closed and a new one is open. heres the link.

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=92384

the driver seems to work on windows 7. only the software doesnt work on vista or 7.
 
i have installed the driver on Windows 7.

there does seem to be a little difference in sound. with my speakers, i noticed the bass got better while not much difference in mids and highs. ep-630 sounds better too. im sure it would have been more noticeable with better speakers/earphones.

ill compare with my vista installation and check.
 
I tried in Xp. I hope it will work with Vista and Win7 as well. Try all the different versions - start with the latest one. I installed 2.18. (tried 2.21 but not able to install - freezed in between). In the vista the problem is with the Creative X-fi suite and Rege suggest to run it on compatibility mode.

X-Fi software is trial for 30days -when i followed the buy option - it was quoting me $ 29.9

To experience the sound - we need a good pair of speaker with really good bass. There are lots of tweaks to play around - I just waiting for the cable for my creative 4.1

I am not sure it will be better the Audigy 2..hey but there's no harm in give it a try - weekend ahead ,try it.

If someone has a good 5.1 , they can try the surround feature - let us know how good it works
 
my mobo is under RMA

will try realtek Xfi and comapre it with the audugy and report back.

will be trying on ep 630, philips shp 1900, creative t6060 5.1:-)
 
dOm1naTOr said:
DO i have to remove my Audigy 2 to see the realtek do magic?

plz tell, if it is/can be better than a real Audigy 2 ?
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Rofl, i doubt a realtek soft-mod can beat a Creative Chip.

But Yes you should try and post a review for Sure.. Wil be highly appreciated :)
 
i have installed the latest one, 2.21 without any problems on win 7.

from what i see the creative software only is useful to add some effects to the sound. it doesnt help with the actual sound quality, so i havent bothered to download and install that one. the audio driver is sufficient.
 
^^+1, the software only adds the usual Creative 'glitter'. Pretty much useless, specially if like me you are using the digital output. The driver also seems to have had a very small effect on the audio quality, presumably placebo. I'd rate this as a nice trick, though not a very useful one in actual fact. The driver offers full control over the chip and is not castrated in any way over the regular Realtek driver, so the creative software is bloatware (why did I expect anything else) and is being hereby uninstalled. It just looks prettier, which is about the same as having a bimbo around. And a bimbo would be a little more ummm... creative?
 
I still have to try these, but like Cranky mentioned, I am also wondering if it's just a placebo effect. Does it really differ in audio quality "noticeably" or are most of the people just reporting the "effect" of creative audio effects software?

I think one of our audiophile gurus should try these and throw some light over it... but then again, I'm pretty darn sure that none of our audiophiles will be using realtek chipset in first place, and no matter what driver you use, it won't satisfy these buggers. :P

Anyway... forget the apparent SQ gains, what I would like to know is... does this driver make any significant changes in EAX implementation under any EAX optimized games? has anyone tried this? If it does, then I suppose it's worth giving a shot, rather than just going subjective "quality" gains offered by these.
 
most of the audiophiles wud be having realtek as onboard, but might not have used it even once[might be using better card].
They can always try it by removing their favorite cards for some hours:D
 
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