Creative Sound BlasterX G5From real comments

Name: Creative Sound BlasterX G5
Rating: 2.6 (13 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 13 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment46%

PROS 46%

CONS 54%

Rank based on 13 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want a feature-rich external DAC/amp with legacy EAX/OpenAL and Dolby Digital decoding
You need portable-ish external audio for a laptop or a PC without a good internal card
You can find it discounted or refurbished around $48-100

What users love

Good headphone sound quality0 mentions

Widely praised

Affordable when discounted or refurbished0 mentions

Widely praised

Rich feature set and DSP effects0 mentions

Strongly positive

Dolby Digital decoding for console surround0 mentions

Widely praised

Skip this if...

You expect true battery-powered portability
You need reliable plug-and-play on Windows 10 without driver troubleshooting
You plan to use surround mode and need full 24-bit/192kHz output

What users complain about

Windows driver and default device problems0 mentions

Generally negative

Not a true 'portable' device0 mentions

Generally negative

Falls short of some internal sound cards0 mentions

Generally negative

Limited microphone controls0 mentions

Generally negative

Microphone feedback and audio bleed issues0 mentions

Generally negative

Surround mode caps output bitrate0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice

1Premium

Seasonic Prime TX-1300

Heavy build indicates qualityIndustry-leading warrantyVery quiet operationHigh price

Seasonic Prime TX-1300

Heavy build indicates quality

Industry-leading warranty

Very quiet operation

High price

2Mid

PowerColor RX 6800

Cool, quiet cooling performanceSleek, understated build qualityLow power consumptionHigh prices during shortageCoil whine on some unitsFan durability concerns long-term

PowerColor RX 6800

Cool, quiet cooling performance

Sleek, understated build quality

Low power consumption

High prices during shortage

Coil whine on some units

Fan durability concerns long-term

3Premium

Seasonic TX-1300

Heavy, quality buildOutstanding warrantyGreat for high-end buildsHigh pricePossible noise under full load

Seasonic TX-1300

Heavy, quality build

Outstanding warranty

Great for high-end builds

High price

Possible noise under full load

Best value

4Budget

Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti

Exceptional longevitySolid 1080p performanceGood upgrade path from old GPUsLimited to lower/medium settings for demanding gamesNot top-tier performanceFan/cooler reliability over time

Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti

Exceptional longevity

Solid 1080p performance

Good upgrade path from old GPUs

Limited to lower/medium settings for demanding games

Not top-tier performance

Fan/cooler reliability over time

5Premium

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

Exceptional longevityStrong 1440p gaming performanceGreat used market valueEventually needs replacement in demanding gamesLacks modern feature setThermal paste degradation over time

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

Exceptional longevity

Strong 1440p gaming performance

Great used market value

Eventually needs replacement in demanding games

Lacks modern feature set

Thermal paste degradation over time

6Mid

Nvidia GeForce GTX 660

Strong 1080p gaming performanceExcellent value for moneyLong-term reliability and longevityBrand-specific fan noise concernsLimited VRAM versus competitorsOccasional driver/compatibility issues

Nvidia GeForce GTX 660

Strong 1080p gaming performance

Excellent value for money

Long-term reliability and longevity

Brand-specific fan noise concerns

Limited VRAM versus competitors

Occasional driver/compatibility issues

7Mid

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060

Strong 1080p/1440p performancePerformance comparable to GTX 1070/1070Ti at lower priceLong-term reliability and aging wellHigh price for a mid-range card12GB variant seen as poor value or confusingLimited 6GB VRAM

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060

Strong 1080p/1440p performance

Performance comparable to GTX 1070/1070Ti at lower price

Long-term reliability and aging well

High price for a mid-range card

12GB variant seen as poor value or confusing

Limited 6GB VRAM

8Budget

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650

No external power connector neededGreat for small form factor and HTPC buildsLater became a good value due to shortagesPoor value versus RX 570Overpriced at launchRegional price disparities make it worse value

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650

No external power connector needed

Great for small form factor and HTPC builds

Later became a good value due to shortages

Poor value versus RX 570

Overpriced at launch

Regional price disparities make it worse value

9Premium

Seasonic Prime PX-750

Long warranty gives peace of mindGood value versus cheaper variantHandles demanding workloads with easeShort CPU cables

Seasonic Prime PX-750

Long warranty gives peace of mind

Good value versus cheaper variant

Handles demanding workloads with ease

Short CPU cables

10Mid

PNY RTX 5070 Ti

Near-MSRP pricing and dealsCool operating temperaturesQuiet operation for most unitsCoil whine / fan noise on some unitsConfusing naming schemeNew 12-pin power connector adoption concerns

PNY RTX 5070 Ti

Near-MSRP pricing and deals

Cool operating temperatures

Quiet operation for most units

Coil whine / fan noise on some units

Confusing naming scheme

New 12-pin power connector adoption concerns

You are here

31Mid

Creative Sound BlasterX G5

Affordable when discounted or refurbishedGood headphone sound qualityDolby Digital decoding for console surroundWindows driver and default device problemsFalls short of some internal sound cardsLimited microphone controls

Creative Sound BlasterX G5

Affordable when discounted or refurbished

Good headphone sound quality

Dolby Digital decoding for console surround

Windows driver and default device problems

Falls short of some internal sound cards

Limited microphone controls

High price
1. PowerColor RX 6800arrow_downward9
2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060arrow_downward15
Quiet cooling
1. PowerColor RX 6800arrow_upward11
2. Nvidia GeForce GTX 660arrow_upward3
3. Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060arrow_upward3
1080p gaming
1. Nvidia GeForce GTX 660arrow_upward8
2. Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Tiarrow_upward6
Value for money
1. Nvidia GeForce GTX 660arrow_upward7
2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060arrow_upward6
Quiet
1. PNY RTX 5070 Tiarrow_upward8
2. Seasonic Prime PX-750arrow_upward1
3. Seasonic TX-1300arrow_upward1
Coil whine
1. PowerColor RX 6800arrow_downward2
2. PNY RTX 5070 Tiarrow_downward7

Overall Impression

Feature-rich DSP and effects stand out to experienced users. One long-time Creative sound card user describes the G5 as probably the most feature-rich card the company currently offers, citing a real audio DSP driving all control-panel effects, legacy EAX and OpenAL support, Dolby Digital decoding for console surround, 7.1 virtual speakers, and SBX effects that they say they use regularly, unlike many reviewers who dismiss such enhancements.

Sound quality is decent but not a clear upgrade over some internal cards. A buyer who picked up a refurbished unit for $48 found the headphone sound good, but reported it fell short of their decade-old internal Creative card, particularly for sound effects, and recommended sticking with an internal card with at least 24-bit/192kHz support if you only use a desktop rather than needing external, shareable audio.

Practical quirks around drivers, mics, and surround output frustrate some owners. Multiple users describe friction: one struggled with Windows 10 driver installation, another had the card fail to resume audio after being unplugged and reconnected, and a mic user reported high-pitched feedback with their audio bleeding into the microphone. A separate user noted enabling surround output limits playback to 24-bit/96kHz rather than higher available rates.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

headphonesGood headphone sound quality

2 mentions

Widely praised

A buyer of a refurbished unit describes the headphone sound quality as good, and another user reports the card felt solid for PC use.

@rickyla9892

I just bought the refurbished one for $48 from Creative US. The sound is good on headphone only but not as good as the internal Creative sound card I owned for more than 10 years old ( X-FI XtremeGamer Fatality Pro ). I need this one to use with my laptop and I can share it with other desktop without the internal sound card. But if you only have desktop at home, buy an internal sound card with at least 24 bits and 192 khz. The sound effect is much better than this external one.

smart_display

March 17, 2021

@sephirothlv100

this sound card is solid for my pc now i have to figure out if the surround sound works on the playstation 4

smart_display

March 13, 2017

attach_moneyAffordable when discounted or refurbished

2 mentions

Widely praised

One user bought a refurbished unit for $48 from Creative directly, while another notes the standard price is around $100, positioned below the pricier G6.

@rickyla9892

smart_display

March 17, 2021

@shera3142

currently Sound BlasterX G5 cost 100$ and g6 costs 150$ do you think g6 worth extra 50$ over g5 ? i'm using dt 990 pro 250 ohm.

smart_display

June 16, 2020

tuneRich feature set and DSP effects

1 mentions

Strongly positive

A user calls the G5 the most feature-rich card Creative currently sells, highlighting a real audio DSP powering all its control panel effects along with legacy EAX and OpenAL support. They note they actually use the SBX effects regularly, unlike many reviewers who ignore them.

@umeng2002

This is probably the most feature rich card creative has right now. It has a real audio DSP for all the effects in the control panel and legacy EAX and OpenAL, Dolby Digital decoding for Console surround support, 7.1 virtual speakers, and I think DD Live encoding. And a headphone amp.\n\nTheir Sound Blaster Z line is only 5.1, no DD decoding, but does have DTS in addition to DD Live.\n\nUnlike most reviewers on YouTube I like and use SBX effects all the time.

smart_display

October 11, 2016

surround_soundDolby Digital decoding for console surround

1 mentions

Widely praised

The same experienced user points out the G5 includes Dolby Digital decoding for console surround support plus 7.1 virtual speakers and DD Live encoding, features they say exceed what Creative's Sound Blaster Z line offers.

@umeng2002

smart_display

October 11, 2016

errorWindows driver and default device problems

2 mentions

Generally negative

One user reports frustrating Windows 10 issues when trying to install the sound card, and another describes it failing to resume playback after being unplugged, requiring a manual revert to the onboard driver.

@tmc1473

So, have you resolved windows 10 issues? I have noticed issues trying to install sound cards on my 10 too. Extremely frustrating.

smart_display

November 4, 2017

@TheOfficialOV

Does anyone have issues where the you set the sound card are as default in playback in Windows to hear sound but when being unplugged it doesn't play audio so you have to revert back to the onboard driver?

smart_display

February 15, 2017

battery_alertNot a true 'portable' device

1 mentions

Generally negative

A commenter points out the G5 has no battery, so labeling it portable is misleading; they say only Creative's E5 model deserves that description, and the G5 should be called an external USB DAC/amp instead.

@endrizo

why portable? it does NOT have a battery...portable is the E5.and you can use it with your smartphone...i would call the g5 as external usb dac and amp..not portable.

smart_display

July 6, 2016

trending_downFalls short of some internal sound cards

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user who owned an internal Creative card for over a decade found the G5's headphone sound good but not as strong as their old internal card, especially in sound effects, and recommends a good internal card for desktop-only setups.

@rickyla9892

smart_display

March 17, 2021

mic_offLimited microphone controls

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user asks whether there are any mic settings like noise reduction or echo cancellation, apart from a novelty voice effect, implying the software lacks meaningful mic processing options.

@gaspardhgn

So no settings for the mic ? \nLike noise reduction, echo cancellation or anything like that ?\nApart the \"funny\" voice thing ?

smart_display

May 10, 2016

warningMicrophone feedback and audio bleed issues

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user running a Sennheiser Game One headset through the card reports high-pitch feedback and their microphone picking up PC audio through both sockets, without a known fix.

@felixyoung2245

im using a sennheiser game one on this sound card and im currently having trouble with it. im using both sockets and now im getting that high pitch feedback and my mic is picking up my pc audio any fixes ?

smart_display

July 14, 2016

graphic_eqSurround mode caps output bitrate

1 mentions

Generally negative

A user found that enabling surround output limits playback to 24-bit/96kHz instead of the higher sample rates otherwise available.

@ZackyDaley

I found that surround limits the output to 24 bit 96khz instead of the higher rate

smart_display

April 29, 2022

Creative Sound BlasterX G5chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

High price

Quiet cooling

1080p gaming

Value for money

Quiet

Coil whine

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Creative Sound BlasterX G5From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression