It's done by the GPU - all three vendors have dedicated hardware in the GPU for processing digital audio, producing a digital-only output for HDMI/DP.I am not sure if the sound is processed by the GPU or the sound chip in the mobo.
It's done by the GPU - all three vendors have dedicated hardware in the GPU for processing digital audio, producing a digital-only output for HDMI/DP.I am not sure if the sound is processed by the GPU or the sound chip in the mobo.
I have been wondering about this for a while.
I use the HDMI port since my gaming PC is connected to my TV and the TV has a regular 3.5 jack out that is connected to my speakers, but I am not sure if the sound is processed by the GPU or the sound chip in the mobo.
Exactly,CPU, MB and GPU only pass through the digital signal, the DAC is in the TV.HDMI is digital. In your case, the actual sound is being created by the DAC in your TV. Then amplified by your speakers. The amplifier in computers speakers as well as the speaker itself also has impact on the sound quality, not just the DAC.
The author's conclusion is a sound card will have no advantage for the vast majority of users an stated the few exception to the rule (high quality speakers or headphones, certain types of PC tasks.) I don't see how an individual's perception would be useful or change the conclusion.Perhaps if someone else is paying AND you work in audio AND the rest of your audio equipment is great AND your ears are good enough to tell the difference then it MIGHT be worth it. I did find it interesting that the reviewer never said that he'd actually compared the sound from one of these cards and the sound from his motherboard and thought the card sounded better.
IMO, the more recent SBs are high-quality cards and their longevity is a given. If it works great, why dump it for something new?Me looking at my Audigy 5/RX while you talk about ZxR, neah old friend I wont change you.
The damn thing refuses to die and Daniel's K drivers works just fine on W11 22H2, why change? What I really miss is KXdrivers and my Audigy2 ZX.....
At the end of the day it's the individual's perception of the sound that decides whether one of these cards is worthwhile. It would be nice to hear someone's, anyone's, even the author's, honest opinion as to how much better they think the sound is.I don't see how an individual's perception would be useful or change the conclusion.
It depends on the quality of the sound card or adapter. Entry level sound cards are probably not better than on board. If you get something nice then there will be a big difference. Not only in the sound, but also in the microphone quality too. I have tried using on board, a low end sound blaster, and a schiit fulla in discord and my friends can hear the difference in my voice. The Schiit Fulla is way better than the other two.At the end of the day it's the individual's perception of the sound that decides whether one of these cards is worthwhile. It would be nice to hear someone's, anyone's, even the author's, honest opinion as to how much better they think the sound is.
PS I'm not saying it was a bad article, it wasn't.
Simple case of onboard audio getting to the point where its 'good enough' for the vast majority of users, leaving the sound card market to the audiophile snobs who (think) they can tell the difference to the point of spending extra money, is a worthwhile pursuit.
..and 'Audiophile snobs' are in the top tier of snobs, when it comes to such things.
If you think GPU's are 'expensive', then you need to step into the world of high end audio, to learn the true meaning of the word.
Nice solution.Aging myself somewhat here, but for my first PC I added a SoundBlaster card because I needed a serial port (game port) that would work with my Sidewinder force feedback joystick. My on-board VIA chipset would not recognize the stick.
It is very much worth it even for the regular end user. Listen to your favorite song using the on board sound.. and whatever speakers or headphones you have... Then listen again, this time thru a Creative Labs AE-7...and the same speakers or headphones as before..the difference is undeniable.Perhaps if someone else is paying AND you work in audio AND the rest of your audio equipment is great AND your ears are good enough to tell the difference then it MIGHT be worth it. I did find it interesting that the reviewer never said that he'd actually compared the sound from one of these cards and the sound from his motherboard and thought the card sounded better.
A 40 set of headphones sound better than Airpods..experience...I don't need an audio card to listen to game sounds. Most of the time I'm listening to music on my AirPods from my watch anyways.
This!It is very much worth it even for the regular end user. Listen to your favorite song using the on board sound.. and whatever speakers or headphones you have... Then listen again, this time thru a Creative Labs AE-7...and the same speakers or headphones as before..the difference is undeniable.