Sound cards in general

tommy25 · 03-15-2007, 10:07 PM

hey

im farely new to the sound card area, always used the built in audio.

Im in the process of building a new computer, the mobo has built in sound but im wondering what benefits i will get from a mid range sound card (depending on price). I will be using some dell 5.1 speakers at first then possibly upgrading to a reciever with some bookshelf speakers.

SimpleSimon · 03-16-2007, 12:10 AM

From what I've read on similar posts, any sound care you buy is better than your onboard sound. I have only used onboard sound as well. I have been thinking about get a sound card for my next build as well. Let me know how it goes!

Martingale00 · 03-17-2007, 02:54 AM

I ran Logitech 5.1's with a really, really low end Turtle Beach sound card and I couldn't tell much of a difference over on board other then at real high volumes. Then when I went to the Audigy 4 it made a big difference. The highs in music were a lot crisper and louder and the bass cleaned up a lot. Also the Audigy 4's software came with a decent EQ. To tell you the truth though I couldn't tell much of a difference stepping up to the Audigy 4 in games...those pretty much sounded the same as on board or a low end card. Creative makes a gaming card though, the Xf-i Gaming Extreme or something I think it is. But if you listen to music and have some decent speakers a good sound card will enhance your listening experience no doubt.

PabloTeK · 03-17-2007, 09:13 AM

Even at normal levels my 2002 card produces much better sound than my on-board sound, it sounds much better and if I'm playing a game the sound isn't so quirky.

tommy25 · 03-17-2007, 12:48 PM

ok cheers, i will definately get one as im always listening to music at pretty high volumes,

simplesimon i will let you know which i chose and how it sounds eventually (waiting for the last bit of cash)

03-15-2007, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
tommy25 Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 289	Sound cards in general hey im farely new to the sound card area, always used the built in audio. Im in the process of building a new computer, the mobo has built in sound but im wondering what benefits i will get from a mid range sound card (depending on price). I will be using some dell 5.1 speakers at first then possibly upgrading to a reciever with some bookshelf speakers.

03-16-2007, 12:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
SimpleSimon Silver Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 214	From what I've read on similar posts, any sound care you buy is better than your onboard sound. I have only used onboard sound as well. I have been thinking about get a sound card for my next build as well. Let me know how it goes! __________________ Current Build MOBO-EVGA 680i SLI CPU-Core 2 Duo E6600 GPU-EVGA 8800GTS 640MB RAM-Patriot 2GB (2x1GB) HDD-WD 150GB 10,000RPM Sata PSU-OCZ GameXStream 700W

03-17-2007, 02:54 AM	#3 (permalink)
Martingale00 Silver Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 146	I ran Logitech 5.1's with a really, really low end Turtle Beach sound card and I couldn't tell much of a difference over on board other then at real high volumes. Then when I went to the Audigy 4 it made a big difference. The highs in music were a lot crisper and louder and the bass cleaned up a lot. Also the Audigy 4's software came with a decent EQ. To tell you the truth though I couldn't tell much of a difference stepping up to the Audigy 4 in games...those pretty much sounded the same as on board or a low end card. Creative makes a gaming card though, the Xf-i Gaming Extreme or something I think it is. But if you listen to music and have some decent speakers a good sound card will enhance your listening experience no doubt. __________________ - Athlon X2 4600+ (@ 2.77GHz), 2GB DDR2-667, 8800GTS-320 (@ 600MHz/830MHz), Antec 500w PSU, Audigy 4, Logitech Z-5300 5.1, Windows XP - Core 2 Duo E6400, 1GB DDR2-667, X1300 Pro, Windows XP

03-17-2007, 09:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
PabloTeK Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The Peoples Republic of Nae Butta! Age: 17 Posts: 2,362	Even at normal levels my 2002 card produces much better sound than my on-board sound, it sounds much better and if I'm playing a game the sound isn't so quirky. __________________ Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 @ 2.8GHz \| Gigabyte EP43-DS3L \| GeIL 3GB PC2-6400 \| BFG GeForce 8800GT 512MB OC \| Seagate 500GB 7200.11 SATA \| Western Digital 250GB SE16 SATA \| Coolermaster CM690 \| Corsair HX520W AMD Athlon 64 3800+ @ 2.4GHz \| 2GB Samsung PC2-5300 \| LeadTek 7300GS 256MB \| Western Digital 80GB SATA

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

03-17-2007, 12:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
tommy25 Gold Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 289	ok cheers, i will definately get one as im always listening to music at pretty high volumes, simplesimon i will let you know which i chose and how it sounds eventually (waiting for the last bit of cash)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
no sound during capture from analog camcorder	wadool	Video Cards and Monitors	1	01-13-2007 12:00 AM
Sound Cards, Picky Choosy	JohnDoH!	Sound Cards and Speakers	1	01-10-2007 03:00 AM
Poor sound quality	Dollar	Sound Cards and Speakers	11	09-27-2006 05:01 PM
How can I connect two sound cards?	bilygates2005	Sound Cards and Speakers	3	02-28-2005 07:51 AM
PCI and Onboard sound conflict	kevinb721	Sound Cards and Speakers	4	12-25-2004 01:31 AM