Also keep in mind the X-Fi utility adds overhead and uses memory, including startup items. There is one constantly running service that uses more memory than AV software. Having used both the X-Fi software (on the GENE-Z) and an actual X-Fi Titanium sound card before, the software utilities are exactly the same. IMO, a bit of overhead is worth it for the benefits of an actual X-Fi sound card, but NOT for what is essentially a spiffy interface for the Realtek ALC889 codec.
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