Is buying a sound card necessary

hat · Oct 19, 2009

Define "nescessary". A sound card won't give you leaps and bounds in performance if that's what you're looking for. It will sound better though, and the results very from card to card. A $20 sound card won't sound much better than onboard.

Soylent Joe · Oct 19, 2009

Onboard sound is so good on quality mobos these days that it's really unnecessary if you're using regular ol' headphones or speakers. If you like playing stuff really loud and have a thing for spending hundreds on really nice headphones and stuff, then get one, but I can't see how a $20 one could improve anything.

RadeonProVega · Nov 1, 2009

I am going to go ahead and buy a sound card, because how comes in some of my games the sound, sounds like i am living in a cave or something?
'Wouldn't a sound card fix this issue?

Mussels · Nov 1, 2009

u2konline said:
I am going to go ahead and buy a sound card, because how comes in some of my games the sound, sounds like i am living in a cave or something?
'Wouldn't a sound card fix this issue?

that cave effect is EAX

try turning EAX, or any EAX emulation your onboard has off

as for the card linked in the first post, its so cheap and low end it would be exactly the same (if not worse) than most onboard solutions these days

MilkyWay · Nov 1, 2009

unless your going to get a high end card dont bother its nothing that your onboard cant do

the sound is likely an effect added on your sound control panel or software

hat · Nov 1, 2009

u2konline said:
I am going to go ahead and buy a sound card, because how comes in some of my games the sound, sounds like i am living in a cave or something?
'Wouldn't a sound card fix this issue?

Look in your sound options, look for something that says EAX. Turn it off and the cave effect should go away.

Frizz · Nov 3, 2009

u2konline said:
Some people says it improves performance

I wouldn't know, but if you buy one make sure its specifications are better than your motherboard's onboard.

It didn't necessarily improved the performance of my gaming, but I did notice that it took out a few stutters from my games in situations where there are big loud explosions etc. I found it much smoother tbh and of course it made my old x-530 5.1 logitech speakers sound like new HD surround speakers :laugh:

RadeonProVega · Nov 6, 2009

Well i couldn't hold back, i drove past a office depot today, and well i had 20 bucks just laying around, so i bought the card anyway LMAO

Its been on my mind to buy ever since i made this thread , sorry but i couldn't help it

going to install it soon

LittleLizard · Nov 6, 2009

i love the thing that it says "includes audacity audio editing studio" when Audicity IS freeware :laugh:

.

hope you enjoy it ("cough" wasted 20 bucks "cough")

RadeonProVega · Nov 6, 2009

LittleLizard said:
i love the thing that it says "includes audacity audio editing studio" when Audicity IS freeware .

hope you enjoy it ("cough" wasted 20 bucks "cough")

lol yea i know. all my bills are paid, so the 20 bucks well that was laying in the backseat haha. so its all good.
cheers

LagunaX · Nov 6, 2009

LOL at the end result!

I wonder if they will sound any better than Ketxxx's free drivers:
X-Fi functionality on any Realtek HDA Codec
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=92384&highlight=creative

xBruce88x · Nov 6, 2009

^ will that work with the ALC888?

@Orig Poster - Well, i guess if your onboard sound didn't support 5.1 then that's a good upgrade for you, other wise i'm skeptical... i'd have to know what on-board chipset you had in the first place to make a judgement on the card

Specs for my ALC888 The Specs

I also have an Audigy 2 card installed but i'm not using it b/c my front audio header on the case doesn't work with it.

Mussels · Nov 6, 2009

ketXXX's mod does very little.

while daniel_K is a douchebag, he does have the superior drivers in this case.

http://danielkawakami.blogspot.com/

in order to get any effect, you do need to buy/acquire a CD key for the software (without the creative software, you get NO CHANGES)

Zubasa · Nov 6, 2009

u2konline said:
Well i couldn't hold back, i drove past a office depot today, and well i had 20 bucks just laying around, so i bought the card anyway LMAO
http://www.imagenerd.com/uploads/sound-dz22R.jpg

Its been on my mind to buy ever since i made this thread , sorry but i couldn't help it
going to install it soon

You really should jus buy an Audigy which is like $248 HK around $31 US :shadedshu

johnspack · Nov 6, 2009

Get an Asus Xonar, a high end M-audio, or an auzentek, or just use onboard. Anything else is a waste.
I've been fighting with my x-fi under win7 for some time now, and yes, danielk's older driver is the only way, and even that is a pita to install under win7. Don't bother with x-fi.

KainXS · Nov 6, 2009

Zubasa said:
You really should jus buy an Audigy which is like $248 HK around $31 US :shadedshu

you can buy an audigy or audigy se(moddable to x-fi) for 5 to 10 bucks on ebay now

morpha · Nov 6, 2009

the answer is no. its not necessary.

I use my on-board digital connection to a set of z5500's. that works fine.. much better than the on-board analogue.

But all I really miss out on is EAX to my knowledge. I've gamed without for years so im pretty sure its unnecessary.

in b4 audiophile rage. :pimp:

Frick · Nov 6, 2009

EAX is more like a sound effect thing, I think.. I don't think it improves sound quality. I might be wrong though.

I want a THX certified surround system for movies though. That would be sweet. For music, good ol stereo is the best.

RadeonProVega · Nov 6, 2009

xBruce88x said:
I'd have to know what on-board chipset you had in the first place to make a judgement on the card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883114066

click on specs

Zubasa said:
You really should jus buy an Audigy which is like $248 HK around $31 US :shadedshu

I do have one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102003

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Is buying a sound card necessary

hat

Enthusiast

Soylent Joe

RadeonProVega

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

MilkyWay

hat

Enthusiast

Frizz

RadeonProVega

LittleLizard

RadeonProVega

LagunaX

xBruce88x

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Zubasa

johnspack

Here For Good!

KainXS

morpha

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop

RadeonProVega

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