Soundcards.. is it a big deal or no?

[truflip]

hi, im looking to upgrade some stuff on my PC like the soundcard.. however just want to kno if its a big thing or not.. i listen to a lotta music and i have only a 2.1 speaker.. and at ngiht i put on Headphones so i dont bother everyone else in the house..

will i see a huge difference from my onboard ac97?

 

[springy101]

well, the new motherboards already come with pretty good onboard sound, and if you are only using 2.1, i dont think a sound card is necessary. on the other hand, i have heard that having a sound card instead of using onboard sound can increase performance by about 5%, nothing much but if you are into heavy gaming and stuff like that it might be worth it.

 

[TS | Thomas]

Definitely be worth it if you have quality Speakers/Headphones. What you listening with at the moment?

 

[truflip]

i have an older motherboard tho.. an Asus P4SD-LA n i got the PC 2 years ago, so i dono how good the onboard sound is...

i use logitech x230 for my 2.1 speakers
and a sony MDR-XD200 for my headphones

the speakers are mainly used for listening to music during the day n playing some games..

the headphones are more for my movies and games

 

[SOcRatEs]

Welcome to TechSpot!

I have to agree with springy101.
The cost is reasonable for sound cards,
it does take some load off the cpu, and sound is cleaner.
Since you're thinking bout upgrade, there may be other options
to get more bang for your buck rather than just sound...
what games are you into or want to get into? This could
mean an upgrade in MoBo could be better for you. Allowing
for better ram, video and cpu. You can add or change
as you can afford it.
What cpu do you have now?

 

[truflip]

hmm.. i was only thinking of a minor upgrade.. i dont wanna have to change the mobo on this PC yet..

as for the games.. im not really into too many, jus a few.. such as CS: Source, CS 1.6 HL2 sometimes.. Far Cry, NFSU:2 and some BF2.. thats it..

i started to think of upgrading because when i tried my headphones on my Home Theatre system (as it was made for using to watch DVD movies and such)... it blasted me away.. the base/treble balance was great n i didnt have to adjust the equalizers.. n when i did.. it sounded even better..

but when i tried it on my PC, no matter what i did (equalizers, bass boosting programs, sound enhancement progs) and it didnt match my Hometheatre system..

thats why i thot if upgrading my sound card..

neway my CPU is a P4 2.4ghz HT (i filled out all the stuff in my profile, incase u need to kno other specs bout my PC n im on online to reply rgiht away)

 

[vegasgmc]

If you dont want to spend too much go with a SB Live 5.1 for $20-30. I have one in my second PC and it sounds almost as good as my Audigy and It also has bass and trebble controls. Cards with the Via Envy chipset are really good too like the Chaintech Excel and they are the same price but 7.1.

 

[truflip]

hmm.. well i found this http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=206&product=10315
for 30$ (canadian)

7.1 24bit, EAX HD sound...

will this do?

 

[vegasgmc]

Sounds good.

 

[Abraxas]

I still have Creative Labs PCI 128 (for about as long as I can think)...what do you say now? I use the speakers of a compact AIWA sound system.

 

[young&wild]

Cards with the Via Envy chipset are really good too like.

I second that. You can get a Chaintech AV710, it retails for around 25 USD at newegg, unfortunately they do not ship to Canada. The prices should be roughly around that mark at shops that do ship to Canada. Its uses an Envy Chipset which is way superior than the SB Live Line up and even the Audigy/ Audigy 2 in terms of music reproduction according to a lot of audio enthuasists. In order words, its a great bargain from their point of view.

 

[truflip]

i found it! =]

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=23680&CatId=0

33$ cnd..

however.. according to the reviews.. doesnt have EAX.. or surround sound for gaming..

as soon as my sister goes to university.. shes taking my speakrs n im getting a 5.1 set.. so isnt this card a bit handicapped? compared to the SB live? the SB live has EAX :S

if im stuck between the SB live and the Chaintech.. i think i might jus go for the Chaintech.. lool

however, are there any other good cards around this cheap? jus curious

 

[TS | Thomas]

When it comes to Soundcards & gaming, if you're not using a Creative Soundcard (Audigy 2 & newer - they sound better ) you'll be missing out anyway.

 

[truflip]

hmm.. isee.. i guess i'll jus wait to earn for ones in 100+ range then.. i was thinking of the audigy 2 b4 but was skeptical cuz of the price.. costs as mcuh as my friggin video card >_< lol

neway mr admin u can clsoe this thread now.. or everyone forget about it...

thanks a lot!

 

[Abraxas]

Btw, is that EAX effect any good? PCI 128 doesn't have it. Or I didn't notice it all these years...
I really don't care much about that part of gaming. Guess I don't know what I'm missing and it's fine that way.