Benefits of a Sound Card?

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 10:03 AM

Hey guys,

Can someone please explain the benefits a Sound Card provides over onboard sound?

Dark_Webster · Jan 2, 2009, 10:11 AM

Normally better sound, offloading the CPU out of sound processing, etc...

alexp999 · Jan 2, 2009, 10:14 AM

It depends on your budget/mobo/CPU as to whether or not it provides any benefits. Both mine and my dad's machine use onboard, it sounds so much better than his Creative Audigy SE, and with today's CPU's they dont even bat an eye lid. With your setup, the only thing you could possibly gain is a bit of added clarity.

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 10:25 AM

I do miss my optical output. I was thinking of getting an ASUS Xonar.

Any other benefits?

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 05:55 PM

Bump

Morgoth · Jan 2, 2009, 06:18 PM

depends on the game
like if it supports EAX

some details
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environ...dio_extensions
http://www.soundblaster.com/products...&product=15853

erocker · Jan 2, 2009, 06:26 PM

More db's!!! Louder is better.

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 06:32 PM

So what would be better for Vista 64bit, ASUS Xonar D2X 7.1ch PCI-e or Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional

ShadowFold · Jan 2, 2009, 06:33 PM

I just sold my Creative X-Fi because I couldn't really tell the difference between onboard.. I only have a stereo headset tho.

Dark_Webster · Jan 2, 2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingo101

So what would be better for Vista 64bit, ASUS Xonar D2X 7.1ch PCI-e or Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional

Sometimes Creative soundcards are a bit overrated, go with ASUS

.

erocker · Jan 2, 2009, 06:34 PM

They are probablly very comparable, though I would get the Asus, people seem to like those.

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 06:36 PM

What about the EAX? ASUS only supports EAX 1 & 2, Creative supports 5?

kysg · Jan 2, 2009, 06:43 PM

man get a Xfi prelude, cost a bit more but an xfi prelude will get the job done.

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 06:47 PM

I can't get Auzentech in South Africa.

kysg · Jan 2, 2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingo101

I can't get Auzentech in South Africa.

ah that is so disappointing.

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 06:53 PM

Tell me about it...

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wingo101

What about the EAX? ASUS only supports EAX 1 & 2, Creative supports 5?

What do you guys think?

erocker · Jan 2, 2009, 06:59 PM

I think EAX is a marketing gimmick.

apheX? · Jan 2, 2009, 06:59 PM

Is the one you already have not good enough? I currently have an X-fi xtreme music, dont notice difference compared to the onboard Realtek, apart from actually having some of the X-Fi features on such as the crystalliser.

I would however consider getting an ASUS Xonar card because it sounds good with all this HD audio stuff i wont be surprised if games start using this HD audio tech. But i would only consider if i somehow didnt end up getting the Bloodrage that comes with an X-fi sonar card which is like realtek/x-fi which sounds good as its a mixture of both worlds.

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 07:03 PM

I took out my Razer sound card when I switched to Vista 64 bit, the Razer card does not fully support Vista 64 bit.

Xiphos · Jan 2, 2009, 07:11 PM

creative and 64 bit does not play well together .....
at least that is the case for me

another pro is that you can record from your speakers, aka "what U hear"

Wingo101 · Jan 2, 2009, 07:13 PM

Why, what's your problem?

King Wookie · Jan 2, 2009, 07:23 PM

I have seen countless posts where guys have problems with Vista and Creative cards.
Somebody actually wrote working drivers, but he got a cease and desist order from Creative.

Basically, the Creative may work better with games, while the Asus has the better sound quality. Then again, onboards are getting better all the time.

ShadowFold · Jan 2, 2009, 07:27 PM

If you get a card get ASUS. I didn't enjoy my creative Vista drivers at all.

apheX? · Jan 2, 2009, 07:28 PM

Ill tell you your conclusion before this turns into a topic of different opinions being thrown into a box. There has always been discussions about Onboard vs Sound Cards, and generally the conclusion is something like;

If your an audio freak and like perfect audio etc, get it
If you like the sound of the features on the card like the XRAM/Crystalliser/CMSS-3D, get it.
If you have money that you wont get angry about losing if you dont notice a difference, get it.
If you dont really have the money for it or dont see it a worthy price to pay for something that has been debatable for years, dont get it.

Hope This Helps!

EDIT: I just read and remembered that there has been countless complaints about Creative's Support and 64bit drivers seems to be one of them?

Jan 2, 2009, 10:03 AM	#1
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	Benefits of a Sound Card? Hey guys, Can someone please explain the benefits a Sound Card provides over onboard sound?

Processor:	Intel Core i7 920 @ 4Ghz 1.2675v
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Jan 2, 2009, 10:11 AM	#2
Dark_Webster Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 335 (0.16/day) Thanks: 18 Thanked 51 Times in 47 Posts System Specs	Normally better sound, offloading the CPU out of sound processing, etc... __________________ “bet it still sounds like an adolescent sewing machine on steroids.” -WhiteLotus Lappy: HP 6720s - Intel C2D T2390, 2GB DDR2, 250GB Harddrive, Intel GME965, DVD Rewriter, Card Reader, Vista 32 Home Premium SP1 ^^ - Stefanels did this!

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Jan 2, 2009, 10:14 AM	#3
alexp999 Staff Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dorset, UK Posts: 6,728 (3.17/day) Thanks: 684 Thanked 915 Times in 783 Posts System Specs	It depends on your budget/mobo/CPU as to whether or not it provides any benefits. Both mine and my dad's machine use onboard, it sounds so much better than his Creative Audigy SE, and with today's CPU's they dont even bat an eye lid. With your setup, the only thing you could possibly gain is a bit of added clarity. __________________ ASUS P45 Club [FS] [WTB] Heatware ebay Elite Lounge USB Boot Guide 3DMark Vantage My Rig XBOX Gamertag Steam ID Dad's: EVGA 750i FTW, E6600, F7Pro, 4GB, 8800GTS 640MB SLi, SST 750W, Commodore EVE Gallente Case

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Jan 2, 2009, 10:25 AM	#4
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	I do miss my optical output. I was thinking of getting an ASUS Xonar. Any other benefits?

Jan 2, 2009, 05:55 PM	#5
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	Bump

Jan 2, 2009, 06:18 PM	#6
Morgoth Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Netherlands Posts: 2,650 (1.25/day) Thanks: 80 Thanked 217 Times in 160 Posts System Specs	depends on the game like if it supports EAX some details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environ...dio_extensions http://www.soundblaster.com/products...&product=15853 __________________ http://www.moddb.com/mods/biohazard-project http://biohazardproject.net76.net/

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Video Card:	amd/ati HD5970
Hard Disk:	2x Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB 32MB Cache SATA2 3gb ramdisk
Optical Drive:	none
CRT/LCD Model:	Samsung 206bw 20inch 16:10
Case:	techbench custom
Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	Corsair Powersupply CMPSU-1000HXEU 1000W, Modular
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Jan 2, 2009, 06:26 PM	#7
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,880 (12.77/day) Thanks: 2,779 Thanked 12,253 Times in 7,806 Posts System Specs	More db's!!! Louder is better.

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CRT/LCD Model:	Acheiva Shimian 27" IPS 2560x1440
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Sound Card:	Onboard
PSU:	NZXT Hale90 1Kw
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Jan 2, 2009, 06:32 PM	#8
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	So what would be better for Vista 64bit, ASUS Xonar D2X 7.1ch PCI-e or Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Professional

Jan 2, 2009, 06:33 PM	#9
ShadowFold Eligible for custom title Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 12,855 (6.51/day) Thanks: 1,381 Thanked 1,681 Times in 1,498 Posts System Specs	I just sold my Creative X-Fi because I couldn't really tell the difference between onboard.. I only have a stereo headset tho.

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Jan 2, 2009, 06:34 PM	#11
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,880 (12.77/day) Thanks: 2,779 Thanked 12,253 Times in 7,806 Posts System Specs	They are probablly very comparable, though I would get the Asus, people seem to like those.

Jan 2, 2009, 06:36 PM	#12
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	What about the EAX? ASUS only supports EAX 1 & 2, Creative supports 5?

Jan 2, 2009, 06:43 PM	#13
kysg Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pacoima, CA Posts: 974 (0.56/day) Thanks: 4 Thanked 99 Times in 96 Posts System Specs	man get a Xfi prelude, cost a bit more but an xfi prelude will get the job done.

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Jan 2, 2009, 06:47 PM	#14
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	I can't get Auzentech in South Africa.

Jan 2, 2009, 06:53 PM	#16
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	Tell me about it...

Jan 2, 2009, 06:59 PM	#18
erocker Senior Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI. Posts: 31,880 (12.77/day) Thanks: 2,779 Thanked 12,253 Times in 7,806 Posts System Specs	I think EAX is a marketing gimmick.

Jan 2, 2009, 06:59 PM	#19
apheX? Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England Posts: 118 (0.07/day) Thanks: 11 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts System Specs	Is the one you already have not good enough? I currently have an X-fi xtreme music, dont notice difference compared to the onboard Realtek, apart from actually having some of the X-Fi features on such as the crystalliser. I would however consider getting an ASUS Xonar card because it sounds good with all this HD audio stuff i wont be surprised if games start using this HD audio tech. But i would only consider if i somehow didnt end up getting the Bloodrage that comes with an X-fi sonar card which is like realtek/x-fi which sounds good as its a mixture of both worlds. __________________ Gee, all this horsepower, and no room to gallop! “he was your typical 16 year old kid who insists on yelling at everyone when things start to go wrong.” -Easy Rhino “Excellent. My 32x DVD drive killed my cat.” -Sasqui

System Name:	Evolution X
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Sound Card:	SONAR X-Fi Audio Card (Onboard)
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Jan 2, 2009, 07:03 PM	#20
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	I took out my Razer sound card when I switched to Vista 64 bit, the Razer card does not fully support Vista 64 bit.

Jan 2, 2009, 07:11 PM	#21
Xiphos Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 216 (0.13/day) Thanks: 21 Thanked 32 Times in 28 Posts System Specs	creative and 64 bit does not play well together ..... at least that is the case for me another pro is that you can record from your speakers, aka "what U hear"

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Software:	Windows 7 x64

Jan 2, 2009, 07:13 PM	#22
Wingo101 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Africa Posts: 430 (0.24/day) Thanks: 120 Thanked 58 Times in 49 Posts System Specs	Why, what's your problem?

Jan 2, 2009, 07:23 PM	#23
King Wookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa Posts: 1,031 (0.52/day) Thanks: 873 Thanked 280 Times in 224 Posts System Specs	I have seen countless posts where guys have problems with Vista and Creative cards. Somebody actually wrote working drivers, but he got a cease and desist order from Creative. Basically, the Creative may work better with games, while the Asus has the better sound quality. Then again, onboards are getting better all the time. __________________ “Excellent. My 32x DVD drive killed my cat.” -Sasqui “Soap Vaseline Steel Wool Microwave. Run.” -CyberDruid “Yeah, MS is not to be confused with MicroSoft which is a chronic, often disabling, Central Processing Unit nervous system disease.” -Kreij

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Sound Card:	Onboard
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Jan 2, 2009, 07:27 PM	#24
ShadowFold Eligible for custom title Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 12,855 (6.51/day) Thanks: 1,381 Thanked 1,681 Times in 1,498 Posts System Specs	If you get a card get ASUS. I didn't enjoy my creative Vista drivers at all.

Jan 2, 2009, 07:28 PM	#25
apheX? Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: England Posts: 118 (0.07/day) Thanks: 11 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts System Specs	Ill tell you your conclusion before this turns into a topic of different opinions being thrown into a box. There has always been discussions about Onboard vs Sound Cards, and generally the conclusion is something like; If your an audio freak and like perfect audio etc, get it If you like the sound of the features on the card like the XRAM/Crystalliser/CMSS-3D, get it. If you have money that you wont get angry about losing if you dont notice a difference, get it. If you dont really have the money for it or dont see it a worthy price to pay for something that has been debatable for years, dont get it. Hope This Helps! EDIT: I just read and remembered that there has been countless complaints about Creative's Support and 64bit drivers seems to be one of them? __________________ Gee, all this horsepower, and no room to gallop! “he was your typical 16 year old kid who insists on yelling at everyone when things start to go wrong.” -Easy Rhino “Excellent. My 32x DVD drive killed my cat.” -Sasqui

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