Sound card needed?

Nevakonaza · 10-01-2006, 11:14 PM

Hi people,

I was thinking about getting a Sound card for my new computer when i decide whats gonna be in it.

However...Is a soundcard realy nessecary?

Ive seen them very cheap and even the good brands are not realy that expensive.

Im currently using onboard sound on my current computer and its great so i dont know if i should get one?

PC eye · 10-02-2006, 12:11 AM

A pci sound card isn't needed for sound alone. But the software that comes along separate cards provides the special effects used a lot in gaming. Creative cards are noted for the EAX effects in particular. If you game alot you may want one for handling the load there. If a sound card quits on you the onboard is still available.

Nevakonaza · 10-02-2006, 12:13 AM

So are they basicly just buy one and put it into one of my spare PCI slots and install drivers?

Is it that easy?

Im not gonna be building my next comp but i just wanted to know.

ETSA · 10-02-2006, 12:15 AM

I think it is imperative for a quality gaming rig. Gaming is an expierence, its not a picture meant to look pretty, why spend the money for a good picture when you good spend a little extra for a 'good expierence', know what I'm saying?

You will notice a difference even with an upgrade as simple as this....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102002

They are very easy to install, click it in place and pop in the cd and d/l the software.

Nevakonaza · 10-02-2006, 12:32 AM

Yeah i know what your saying,

I think i might get me one,There quite cheap.

And i do like to listen to music quite loud on my pc.

I think my cousin is selling his computer speakers & subwoofer so if i do buy those of him then it should be better with a Sound card.

PC eye · 10-02-2006, 12:47 AM

What make and model speaker setup is that? The software for a card will have a settings adjustment for 2 1/2, 5.1, and 7.1 surround sound as well as a mixer and equalizer on a 7.1 card like the one seen at the link. You can even create desktop shortcuts by right clicking on the different links found in the Program menu.

Nevakonaza · 10-02-2006, 12:55 AM

I cant remember the name of the speakers & sub but i do know there good quality ones

I think there 5.1 surround sound.

However would i benifit from onboard sound to a dedicated sound card?

Is it realy worth buying one for my current setup or should i just save the money for my new rig?

PC eye · 10-02-2006, 01:21 AM

If you were only planning to run the current system until early in 2007 then you would want a newer model to go into the next case you build. The SB X-FI sound card by Creative seems popular now.

The Audigy 4 Pro 5.1 model card has worked out well here since it was saved from the old case that quit. The next model up from that is the 7.1 surround model seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102004

If you want a card that will work good in a new build you will spend more now like the price difference seen with the model there or wait until an even better model drops in price. You have to decide the quality of the sound you want as well as what is in your budget. If you are saving now for a new build you could wait until other models drop in price. If you are as stubborn as this source here you will want to get some good model within your current budget.

Impr3ssiv3 · 10-02-2006, 02:21 AM

IMO a nice sound card IS neccessary

i play America's Army now,since its free, and the 5.1 surround is unbelievable. It gives you a whole lot better experience in a game and lets you get an advatge on someone.

I have a Audigy2 ZS and it works great

PC eye · 10-02-2006, 02:52 AM

Well you already know what EAX sounds like there since you have the card and software already installed to play around with the various audio effects in the EAX section.

10-01-2006, 11:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nevakonaza Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midlands,Uk Age: 20 Posts: 8,203	Sound card needed? Hi people, I was thinking about getting a Sound card for my new computer when i decide whats gonna be in it. However...Is a soundcard realy nessecary? Ive seen them very cheap and even the good brands are not realy that expensive. Im currently using onboard sound on my current computer and its great so i dont know if i should get one? __________________ Core 2 Duo E6300 2.8Ghz -Asus Silent Knight II MSI P35 Neo-F (45nm Ready) Seagate Barracuda 250Gb Sata II + WDC 400GB Sata II 3Gb GeIL DDR2 @ 800 Mhz (Dual channel) Asus Extreme 8800GT G92 512Mb with Glaciator cooler Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity 7.1 Sony 20X DVD±RW DL & DVD-RAM SATA Vista Ultimate X32\|Kaspersky IS 2009

10-02-2006, 12:13 AM	#3 (permalink)
Nevakonaza Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midlands,Uk Age: 20 Posts: 8,203	So are they basicly just buy one and put it into one of my spare PCI slots and install drivers? Is it that easy? Im not gonna be building my next comp but i just wanted to know. __________________ Core 2 Duo E6300 2.8Ghz -Asus Silent Knight II MSI P35 Neo-F (45nm Ready) Seagate Barracuda 250Gb Sata II + WDC 400GB Sata II 3Gb GeIL DDR2 @ 800 Mhz (Dual channel) Asus Extreme 8800GT G92 512Mb with Glaciator cooler Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity 7.1 Sony 20X DVD±RW DL & DVD-RAM SATA Vista Ultimate X32\|Kaspersky IS 2009

10-02-2006, 12:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
ETSA Diamond Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: WA Age: 24 Posts: 2,285	I think it is imperative for a quality gaming rig. Gaming is an expierence, its not a picture meant to look pretty, why spend the money for a good picture when you good spend a little extra for a 'good expierence', know what I'm saying? You will notice a difference even with an upgrade as simple as this.... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102002 They are very easy to install, click it in place and pop in the cd and d/l the software. __________________ DESKTOP Antec P180B(4 x 120mm Tricool fans) Antec 500W neoHE Gigabyte GA 965p DS3 E6400 /w Zalman cnps9500 led 92mm (OC'ed to 3.2Ghz) 4 GB Corsair xms2 DDR2 800 HD4850 512mb ddr3 /w Zalman VF1000 (OC'ed to 690/1143) Soundblaster Audigy 4 LAPTOP Core 2 Duo T5750(2.00GHz)/4GB ddr2 667/250GB HD/8600M GT

10-02-2006, 12:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Nevakonaza Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midlands,Uk Age: 20 Posts: 8,203	Yeah i know what your saying, I think i might get me one,There quite cheap. And i do like to listen to music quite loud on my pc. I think my cousin is selling his computer speakers & subwoofer so if i do buy those of him then it should be better with a Sound card. __________________ Core 2 Duo E6300 2.8Ghz -Asus Silent Knight II MSI P35 Neo-F (45nm Ready) Seagate Barracuda 250Gb Sata II + WDC 400GB Sata II 3Gb GeIL DDR2 @ 800 Mhz (Dual channel) Asus Extreme 8800GT G92 512Mb with Glaciator cooler Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity 7.1 Sony 20X DVD±RW DL & DVD-RAM SATA Vista Ultimate X32\|Kaspersky IS 2009

10-02-2006, 12:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Nevakonaza Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Midlands,Uk Age: 20 Posts: 8,203	I cant remember the name of the speakers & sub but i do know there good quality ones I think there 5.1 surround sound. However would i benifit from onboard sound to a dedicated sound card? Is it realy worth buying one for my current setup or should i just save the money for my new rig? __________________ Core 2 Duo E6300 2.8Ghz -Asus Silent Knight II MSI P35 Neo-F (45nm Ready) Seagate Barracuda 250Gb Sata II + WDC 400GB Sata II 3Gb GeIL DDR2 @ 800 Mhz (Dual channel) Asus Extreme 8800GT G92 512Mb with Glaciator cooler Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Xtreme Fidelity 7.1 Sony 20X DVD±RW DL & DVD-RAM SATA Vista Ultimate X32\|Kaspersky IS 2009

10-02-2006, 12:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	A pci sound card isn't needed for sound alone. But the software that comes along separate cards provides the special effects used a lot in gaming. Creative cards are noted for the EAX effects in particular. If you game alot you may want one for handling the load there. If a sound card quits on you the onboard is still available.

10-02-2006, 12:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	What make and model speaker setup is that? The software for a card will have a settings adjustment for 2 1/2, 5.1, and 7.1 surround sound as well as a mixer and equalizer on a 7.1 card like the one seen at the link. You can even create desktop shortcuts by right clicking on the different links found in the Program menu.

10-02-2006, 01:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	If you were only planning to run the current system until early in 2007 then you would want a newer model to go into the next case you build. The SB X-FI sound card by Creative seems popular now. The Audigy 4 Pro 5.1 model card has worked out well here since it was saved from the old case that quit. The next model up from that is the 7.1 surround model seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102004 If you want a card that will work good in a new build you will spend more now like the price difference seen with the model there or wait until an even better model drops in price. You have to decide the quality of the sound you want as well as what is in your budget. If you are saving now for a new build you could wait until other models drop in price. If you are as stubborn as this source here you will want to get some good model within your current budget.

10-02-2006, 02:21 AM	#9 (permalink)
Impr3ssiv3 Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,231	IMO a nice sound card IS neccessary i play America's Army now,since its free, and the 5.1 surround is unbelievable. It gives you a whole lot better experience in a game and lets you get an advatge on someone. I have a Audigy2 ZS and it works great __________________ 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

10-02-2006, 02:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
PC eye Diamond Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Inside a pc Posts: 19,730	Well you already know what EAX sounds like there since you have the card and software already installed to play around with the various audio effects in the EAX section.

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