Sound card...

[phil]

I currently have on board sound with a reasonable pair of 2.1 creative speakers. I've heard a fair few recommendations about putting a 5.1 separate sound card into my system.

Does this really make a difference to my sound? I have pretty good sound quality at present so am just curious really if its worth the investment.

[Solaris17]

well it seems most ppl say no so here my thread dealing almost with the same thing (http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=7000)

EDIT: ok maybe i lied most think it will do its job but reccomend a sound card

[G.T]

You never know the quality of the sound you have till you hear someone elses system that is superior to what you have.

Putting it simply, if you have 2 speakers on your desk you are only possibly getting stereo. If you have 5 or more speakers you can get true surround sound.

To get that sweet, "WOW the sounds moving through the speakers and around the room" effect, you need the right kit that can do it.

What you have to ask yourself is, are you an audiophile and have you got the cash spare to feed your audiophile desires? If no, stick with what you have you won't really appreciate the loss of cash nor fully enjoy the joys of being able to vibrate all the walls in the house. If yes, one word, X-Fi by Creative with Creative speakers to back up your soundcards true power.

Remember though, the speakers and card both matter, no point having a high end soundcard that runs through 2 speakers that cost less than a tenner.

[trog100]

the bottom line here is u will never know till u spend a fortune to find out.. then when u have u (plus your imagination) will here wonderfull sounds coming out of those crap 10 dollar speakers.. he he he

i dont think u need one but had to buy one to find out.. he he.. till i read this thread i had even forgotten i had fitted the audigy 4 card about three weeks ago.. thats how much difference it has made.. and i have decent speakers..

trog

[trog100]

a tale about an audiophile.. getting on in years had been into expensive audio stuff all his life and owned all the best stuff..

sat there happily listening away one day when in walks his son.. did u know your tweaters have blown dad.. says the son..

dad ceased to be an audiophile from that day on.. he he

another one.. a friend of mine.. had the top end creative card.. 200 watt hi-fy and and some speakers as big as fridges.. anyways he blows his motherboard up and short of cash buys a cheapo onboard sound replacement.. his big speakers had been packed away cos he had been away for while.. i tells him not to bother with his creative card cos the onboard sound will sound just as good give it a test..

he phones me up and says it sounds brilliant.. i was right.. i says have u unpacked your big speakers then.. no he says i am useing some little plastic 2 watt PC ones.. he even held the phone close to em so i could hear how good they sounded.. he he he.. from that moment on whatever he says about "sound" i ignore.. he he



trog

[DanTheBanjoman]

Depends on what you listen to I'd say. For games surround can be worth it, for music however I'd use stereo. (unless you have a crap taste of music, then it won't matter:P)

As for sound quality itself, a good soundchip+speakers can make an immense difference. It's all relative though. Visit friends, stores, listen to their systems. If you don't feel you need anything better you're fine.

[Thermopylae_480]

I went from an old Creative Soudblaster Live! (non 24-bit) to and Audigy 2 ZS. I couldn't believe the sound difference, so much more clarity and dimension. It was well worth it for me. I have onboard Realtek HD 7.1 audio also, and it doesn't even compare well to the old Soundblaster Live! That I had. Plus having a soundcard takes load off your CPU in gaming. Might squeeze out and extra frame or two :) .