Onboard Sound demands from CPU?

Marzeth · 08-31-2006, 04:12 PM

I have a game that is crashing due to sound issues and I had to lower my sound hardware acceleration settings just to be able to play it.

Does onboard sound demand processing power from the CPU?
If I got a PCI Sound Card would overall computer performance improve?

I'm looking into Sound Cards, but I really don't know much about them.
What I'm basically looking for is the following:
A. 7.1 ready, even though I'll initially use 2.1 speakers. At a later time, I'll move up to 5.1 or 7.1.
Not as important but a plus!
B. Line-Out, or something equivalent, to plug to my Receiver for when I watch my PC on my TV.
C. Line-In to plug my guitar.

Any advice? Please, I need saving.

[-0MEGA-] · 08-31-2006, 04:28 PM

Onboard sound does use up CPU usage, and getting a PCI sound card may improve game performance slightly (1-2fps possibly), but may also stop the crashing problem.

If your on a very low budget, something like the AudigySE 7.1 would be good, but an X-Fi or Audigy 2ZS would be the best.

Marzeth · 08-31-2006, 04:53 PM

I know I can always trust in an OMEGA post. I've heard of X-Fi's, apparently they are pretty much up there when it comes to video cards. I'll be looking into that, but will most likely stay within the lower to mid ranges. Thanks again OMEGA!

Anyone else has anything to suggest or did OMEGA hit the spot?

Marzeth · 09-01-2006, 09:16 PM

AWESOME!
I can't wait to get home and install my new Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Music Sound Card!
Woohoooo!
And then change my Signature!
Woohoooo!
I almost have no more Signature space either!
Woohoooo!

...i... ...thought i'd share my excitement... ...with you guys...
...thanks.

[-0MEGA-] · 09-01-2006, 09:27 PM

Sounds good! I used to have an X-Fi, and it was a great upgrade from an Audigy 2ZS. I really like the new CMSS-3D feature that they upgraded, since with the X-Fi, if you use headphones you can tell where the sound is coming from much clearer then with previous sound cards.

Marzeth · 09-01-2006, 11:21 PM

Thanks OMEGA! I totally went with your selection. After some searching, I did find out it's a very decent Sound Card.
I'll let you know how it worked after I try it.

Impr3ssiv3 · 09-02-2006, 08:37 AM

im getting the Audigy2 ZS in my new build

have you heard if thats any good OMEGA

[-0MEGA-] · 09-02-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impr3ssiv3

im getting the Audigy2 ZS in my new build

have you heard if thats any good OMEGA

I also had that card (one of the perks about buying and selling various parts). It was a very nice upgrade from onboard, or a SB Live!. But I found that the upgrade from the Audigy 2ZS to the X-Fi was greater then from the Live! to the Audigy 2ZS.

I would say that the Audigy 2 ZS is a great card, but if you can afford it, go with the X-Fi.

Impr3ssiv3 · 09-02-2006, 08:51 AM

well i already bought it so im stuck with it for awhile

but it should last me for awhile with my music listening and everything(loud music)

08-31-2006, 04:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Marzeth Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Age: 28 Posts: 176	Onboard Sound demands from CPU? I have a game that is crashing due to sound issues and I had to lower my sound hardware acceleration settings just to be able to play it. Does onboard sound demand processing power from the CPU? If I got a PCI Sound Card would overall computer performance improve? I'm looking into Sound Cards, but I really don't know much about them. What I'm basically looking for is the following: A. 7.1 ready, even though I'll initially use 2.1 speakers. At a later time, I'll move up to 5.1 or 7.1. Not as important but a plus! B. Line-Out, or something equivalent, to plug to my Receiver for when I watch my PC on my TV. C. Line-In to plug my guitar. Any advice? Please, I need saving. __________________ --Laptop-- Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0GHz + 2GB RAM 128MB nVidia GeForceGo 7300 80GB HDD --Console-- Sony - Playstation 3[/size]

08-31-2006, 04:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 27,988	Onboard sound does use up CPU usage, and getting a PCI sound card may improve game performance slightly (1-2fps possibly), but may also stop the crashing problem. If your on a very low budget, something like the AudigySE 7.1 would be good, but an X-Fi or Audigy 2ZS would be the best. __________________ Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.1GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 (800/1900) 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 960 750GB SATAII w/32MB Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 22605 www.photosbygeoff.com

08-31-2006, 04:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
Marzeth Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Age: 28 Posts: 176	I know I can always trust in an OMEGA post. I've heard of X-Fi's, apparently they are pretty much up there when it comes to video cards. I'll be looking into that, but will most likely stay within the lower to mid ranges. Thanks again OMEGA! Anyone else has anything to suggest or did OMEGA hit the spot? __________________ --Laptop-- Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0GHz + 2GB RAM 128MB nVidia GeForceGo 7300 80GB HDD --Console-- Sony - Playstation 3[/size]

09-01-2006, 09:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Marzeth Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Age: 28 Posts: 176	AWESOME! I can't wait to get home and install my new Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Extreme Music Sound Card! Woohoooo! And then change my Signature! Woohoooo! I almost have no more Signature space either! Woohoooo! ...i... ...thought i'd share my excitement... ...with you guys... ...thanks. __________________ --Laptop-- Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0GHz + 2GB RAM 128MB nVidia GeForceGo 7300 80GB HDD --Console-- Sony - Playstation 3[/size]

09-01-2006, 09:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
[-0MEGA-] VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Concord, NH Age: 20 Posts: 27,988	Sounds good! I used to have an X-Fi, and it was a great upgrade from an Audigy 2ZS. I really like the new CMSS-3D feature that they upgraded, since with the X-Fi, if you use headphones you can tell where the sound is coming from much clearer then with previous sound cards. __________________ Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.1GHz Asus Rampage Formula X48 ATI 4870X2 2GB GDDR5 (800/1900) 4GB (2x2GB) DDR2 960 750GB SATAII w/32MB Creative SB X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty SilverStone 750W +12V@60A 3DMark06: 22605 www.photosbygeoff.com

09-01-2006, 11:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
Marzeth Silver Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Age: 28 Posts: 176	Thanks OMEGA! I totally went with your selection. After some searching, I did find out it's a very decent Sound Card. I'll let you know how it worked after I try it. __________________ --Laptop-- Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0GHz + 2GB RAM 128MB nVidia GeForceGo 7300 80GB HDD --Console-- Sony - Playstation 3[/size]

09-02-2006, 08:37 AM	#7 (permalink)
Impr3ssiv3 Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,231	im getting the Audigy2 ZS in my new build have you heard if thats any good OMEGA __________________ The Shit: Antec P180B ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 nForce 570 AMD X2 4200+ AM2 @ 2.42 CORSAIR XMS2 DDR2 800 2X1GB eVGA 256MB 7900GT KO BenQ 19" 2ms LCD Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS 3DMark03~19601

09-02-2006, 08:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
Impr3ssiv3 Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,231	well i already bought it so im stuck with it for awhile but it should last me for awhile with my music listening and everything(loud music) __________________ The Shit: Antec P180B ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 nForce 570 AMD X2 4200+ AM2 @ 2.42 CORSAIR XMS2 DDR2 800 2X1GB eVGA 256MB 7900GT KO BenQ 19" 2ms LCD Creative Sound Blaster Audigy2 ZS 3DMark03~19601

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sound Blaster Aud. 2 and Mic Problems	lcole	Sound Cards and Speakers	0	12-12-2005 01:48 AM
Computer Speaker Basics	vortmax	Sound Cards and Speakers	1	12-08-2005 08:52 PM
Sound Card and CPU usage...	The_Other_One	Sound Cards and Speakers	0	07-31-2005 07:15 PM
FS: cpu, hd, sound card, more!!	[-0MEGA-]	Computer Equipment For Sale	2	07-29-2005 02:22 AM
Need help with PCI sound card conflict plz!	mickeymouse	Desktop Computers	4	07-07-2004 07:05 AM