1st time buying Sound card, dont know what to expect

[damage424]

So my onboard sound card stopped worked I guess. Any headphone I plug in or speakers only one side of them works. And this is why I need a soundcard.

I mostly listen to music and play fps games. ive never owned a sound card, so i dont know what to expect.

my mobo is a p45

I just want to make sure it is going to work and what i should look for/get

thanks!

 

[MTDEW]

More system info would be helpful and help others help you, complete pc specs and what OS. (especially exactly what motherboard you have.)
And your price range would help.

You didn't state whether you were happy or not with your onboard sound before you had issues, but if you were, then i'd suggest something like the ASUS XONAR DG, its a great cheap card and has a built in headphone amp.
(And when i say its a Great/cheap card, i'm speaking from personal experience with the card, i own two of them in other pcs in my home.)
AMAZON has it currently listed for $25.

 

[damage424]

My Mobo is:

Gigabyte S series

EP45-DS3L

I have windows vista 32 bit.

I was generally happy with my on board sound before, but I wouldn't mind shelling out around $100 bucks for something really good. I never had a sound card before so it would be cool to check it out.

 

[Childs]

The Xonar Dew linked is pretty good. I would get the DX PCI-E version. The Dolby Headphone mode is awesome. It costs more, but would still be under $100.

 

[thelastjuju]

Yeah a lot of people seem to be very happy with the life that entry level Asus XONAR card can breathe into your speakers. For $30, its a killer deal.

Assuming you have decent enough speakers and/or headphones, you should expect noticeably clearer, crisper, and more accurate sound quality. ESPECIALLY for music!

What model are the headphones and/or speakers? That will determine how high end you should go with the sound card more than anything else.

 

[damage424]

I have some really nice (I think) small Bose Speakers. I don't know which model they are, but it's two small speakers with a subwoofer.

My headphones aren't anything special as of right now, but I'm certainly thinking of upgrading them very soon as well.

Looks like plenty of people are liking that sound card, and I know you guys know your hardware.

 

[tynopik]

could just get usb headphones

 

[MTDEW]

Since you're running the Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3L , you have plenty of PCI-E X1 slots.

As someone mentioned earlier, you may want to get a PCI-E version, since newer motherboards are coming with less and less PCI slots.
That way, you'll know you can transfer the card to a new motherboard if you upgrade.

I wasn't sure if your motherboard had PCI-E x1 slots , that is why i asked what specific motherboard you had and stuck to suggesting the PCI version before.

The Asus Xonar DGX 5.1 is the PCI-E version of the card i listed above and goes for a little more. (around $40.00)

If you want to go higher end, there is the Asus Xonar DX 7.1 which goes for about $90.00.

And depending on your case, the Asus Xonar cards should allow you to hook up your cases front connectors, so you wont have to fiddle with plugging headphones into the rear of your pc.

EDIT: To be completely honest and give my personal opinion, The Xonar DX 7.1 isnt worth the extra $$$ over the Xonar DGX 5.1.
The Xonar DX doesn't have a headphone amp, and doesn't sound any better than the Xonar DGX.

 

[Scoobyboo]

could just get usb headphones

Doesn't that defy the purpose of having a soundcard?
The usb wont go into a soundcard port like a simple audiojack...

 

[MTDEW]

could just get usb headphones

USB headphones have their own sound card built in and require their own drivers to work.

So that doesnt solve the no soundcard problem unless you only want to use headphones all the time.

 

[Childs]

Doesn't that defy the purpose of having a soundcard?
The usb wont go into a soundcard port like a simple audiojack...

With USB headsets, the sound card is built in. The virtual surround sound and even Dolby Headphone can be had on something like the Gamecon 780 for around $60. It won't help him if he wants to use speakers though, which is what the OP said he wanted to do.

 

[damage424]

wow thanks for all the replies guys.

yea it def would be nice to use my speakers again. nothing like blasting good tunes on stereo speakers and didn't have that in my room for a while now.

MTDEW thanks for the help. its really nice you looked up my mobo and made sure it would work properly. this is why I love this site whenever i need some solid input.

 

[MTDEW]

wow thanks for all the replies guys.

yea it def would be nice to use my speakers again. nothing like blasting good tunes on stereo speakers and didn't have that in my room for a while now.

MTDEW thanks for the help. its really nice you looked up my mobo and made sure it would work properly. this is why I love this site whenever i need some solid input.

I used to have a DS3, awesome overclocking motherboard. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[damage424]

I'm glad to hear that. I've had this build for a few years now and holds up solid. I only upgraded my c2d to a q9550 quad because there was a killer deal and picked up a Megahalem cpu cooler with it.

Going to wait an hour or two until I make the purchase you suggested and get the Asus Xonar DX 7.1

Kinda worried about people complaining about the driver issues on newegg though.

 

[MTDEW]

People always complain on Newegg....LOL
Dont worry, we can help you if you cannot get your drivers installed correctly.

You think those comments are bad, I have a creative X-FI Xtreme music in my main rig, and to hear others talk online, the drivers are terrible, and i've never had a single issue.

What you'll want to do is..
1: uninstall your onboard sound drivers in control panel, then restart the pc and go directly into your bios and disable your onboard sound.
(Dont let it go back to windows once you've uninstalled the drivers, be sure to go to the bios and disable it on reboot first.)
2: Once you have it disabled, then boot to windows and be sure windows doesnt "find new hardware" and even check device manager to be sure its gone.
3: Once that is done, shut down the pc and install your new sound card.
4: Boot to windows and install the latest drivers for your new card. (newest ones downloaded from asus site, not the disc that comes with it)

I still think the DXG is the better deal over the DX, but you really cannot go wrong with either card..... I just like having the headphone amp.

 

[damage424]

thanks again for the solid info.

now I'm thinking of just buying headphones with them. would be used primarily for gaming, fps games, and needs a mic.

I don't mind shelling out around $150 for solid gaming headphones, but only if its worth it. Otherwise I'm more then happy for settling for a good budget hp's. just whatever is best for my money and this new sound card.

thinking of going to microcenter to get them. one about 20 mins away

edit: Also would this network card work on my mobo?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360498

 

[MTDEW]

thanks again for the solid info.

now I'm thinking of just buying headphones with them. would be used primarily for gaming, fps games, and needs a mic.

I don't mind shelling out around $150 for solid gaming headphones, but only if its worth it. Otherwise I'm more then happy for settling for a good budget hp's. just whatever is best for my money and this new sound card.

thinking of going to microcenter to get them. one about 20 mins away

edit: Also would this network card work on my mobo?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360498

Yeah, that network card should work.

Since someone mentioned USB gaming headphones, i guess i should add that i do own a pair of Logitech G35's they are pretty decent for the price.
But they do use their own built in soundcard and drivers, so they wont be running off of your new soundcard.

 

[damage424]

just got back from microcenter with the goodies.

about to install the new hardware

*crosses fingers*

 

[damage424]

sorry for the super noob questions but..


everytime i uninstall the drivers or hardware and restart, it automatically finds the new hardware and installs the drivers and i have no option of cancelling. how do idisable this feature?

and how do i enter bios?

warned you about the noob questions

 

[MTDEW]

Sorry, was watching tv with her.
Yeah, it will auto detect if you restart without going into the bios and disabling the onboard sound after uninstalling.

Uninstall the drivers, reboot and keep hitting the DEL key on your keyboard repeatedly on restart to enter the bios.

Give me a sec and i'll see if i can find the exact option in your bios to disable the onboard sound chip.

 

[MTDEW]

Once in the bios look under Integrated Peripherals and disable the Azalia Codec to disable your onboard sound.

You'll NEED to disable the onboard in the bios , otherwise you're gonna have all kinds of issues with it enabled along with your new soundcard installed.

EDIT: And noob questions don't bother the senior members here, we all know what is was like when learning.
So ask anything you need to, if i know the answer, i'll post, if i don't I'm positive someone else will and will help you out. :thumbsup:

 

[Remobz]

Yeah, that network card should work.

Since someone mentioned USB gaming headphones, i guess i should add that i do own a pair of Logitech G35's they are pretty decent for the price.
But they do use their own built in soundcard and drivers, so they wont be running off of your new soundcard.

Ok so what would sound better for games and music.....


1) Asus Xonar DGX 5.1 dedicated sound card + a good analog headphones $50 - $150US

or

2) One of the best USB gaming headsets (razer tiamat? corsair 1500? other?) + onboard sound



In other words, a Corsair 1500 USB gaming headset costs about $83.00US on newegg.

Asus Xonar DGX 5.1 costs about $40.00US on amazon and decent analog headset might cost $50.00US

I wonder what would be the better value for money yet still delivering on a good gaming and musical experience?

 

[MTDEW]

Ok so what would sound better for games and music.....


1) Asus Xonar DGX 5.1 dedicated sound card + a good analog headphones $50 - $150US

or

2) One of the best USB gaming headsets (razer tiamat? corsair 1500? other?) + onboard sound



In other words, a Corsair 1500 USB gaming headset costs about $83.00US on newegg.

Asus Xonar DGX 5.1 costs about $40.00US on amazon and decent analog headset might cost $50.00US

I wonder what would be the better value for money yet still delivering on a good gaming and musical experience?

I'd personally go with the Xonar DGX 5.1 and something like the JVC HA-RX700 headset.(unless you NEED a mic)
If nothing but for the simple fact that with a USB headset, you're still stuck with onboard sound when using your speakers.

BUT.... I personally have no experience with a Corsair 1500 USB headset, so i really cannot attest to its sound quality.

 

[Remobz]

I'd personally go with the Xonar DGX 5.1 and something like the JVC HA-RX700 headset.(unless you NEED a mic)
If nothing but for the simple fact that with a USB headset, you're still stuck with onboard sound when using your speakers.

BUT.... I personally have no experience with a Corsair 1500 USB headset, so i really cannot attest to its sound quality.

I was reading what people said to threads on other forums discussing this same question.

Basically, the issue here is that MANY people said that USB headphones are no better than QUALITY onboard sound. Of course, by quality they mean the onboard sound of EXPENSIVE name brand motherboard manufacturers. I do not have a top of the line name brand motherboard. My onboard sound quality would be questionable indeed.

I feel that maybe an Asus DGX + grado sr60's might be my best bet for now.

Of course, I can always snag a Corsair 1500 gaming headset down the road and have all my bases covered right

 

[MTDEW]

I was reading what people said to threads on other forums discussing this same question.

Basically, the issue here is that MANY people said that USB headphones are no better than QUALITY onboard sound. Of course, by quality they mean the onboard sound of EXPENSIVE name brand motherboard manufacturers. I do not have a top of the line name brand motherboard. My onboard sound quality would be questionable indeed.

I feel that maybe an Asus DGX + grado sr60's might be my best bet for now.

Of course, I can always snag a Corsair 1500 gaming headset down the road and have all my bases covered right

That is pretty much what i did myself.
I went with a dedicated soundcard and decent headphones and was pretty happy.
But i couldn't help but wonder if a Gaming USB headset would be better and give better positional audio in games.
So i later bought my Logitech G35 headset.
I personally don't think it is any better or worse than a dedicated soundcard and "decent" "cheap" headphones.
They both do the "fake" positional audio about the same and i prefer using stereo mode anyway since i dont like the "echoey" sound that the positional audio has.
So i eventually just stopped using the Logitech's so i didnt have to worry about keeping yet another set of drivers updated.