Are sound cards even worth it now days?

EarthwormJim

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2003
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I'm planning on building up a new computer next month and I'm wondering if it's even worth it to buy a new sound card. Primary purpose of the computer is gaming.

I still have my Sound Blaster Audigy (original one) that has been passed down through several builds. Should I just keep using it, buy a new sound card, or go with integrated audio?
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: EarthwormJim
Are sound cards even worth it now days?
Should I just keep using it, buy a new sound card, or go with integrated audio?
It depends on how discriminating your ear is. :p
If you're asking the question, you should probably just stay with onboard audio. It will be fine for you.

 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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Since the integrated audio is already included try it first.

If you do not like it you can always buy a card.

My estimate is the about 2-5 % of users actually need a card.
These are people who actually do Audio related work and need extras that are provided by stand alone special audio cards.

Of the people who buy cards probably 90% buy it coz it is Cool (which is OK to do if one desperately needs to be Cool).

 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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Yes, I need a card. So much so that I have two sound cards...three if you include onboard(however that is disabled. However, I can't tell you whether you need one or not. A good start would be to tell us what speakers you have.
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
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I'll second Jack's comment: try the onboard audio first and see if it's up to your needs. If you find it lacking you can always add a separate sound card later.
 

tigersty1e

Golden Member
Dec 13, 2004
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If you've never heard how a nice sound card sounds, then you don't really need one. I was just fine gaming for 4 years without a sound card until I heard how the x-fi sounds.

If you compare them side by side, then the difference really stands out.

It's like high settings on the video card. If you've never seen high settings before then medium works just fine.
 

cozumel

Senior member
Nov 29, 2007
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I'm using the realtek on-board sound on my mobo and it it is far better than what was availble on previous era boards. There are no crackles, pops or other strange noises and the performance is smooth. It is not anywhere as good as my previous dedicated soundcard which I can't use with x64 Vista. The depth and range of sounds is not there and it lacks the sheer oomph.

Now, as previous people have commented you may not notice this diference and be perfectly satisfied. Only your easr know if you are happy so try it and see.

Myself, I'm going to buy an Auzentech Prelude straight after new years is done and dusted.
 

cozumel

Senior member
Nov 29, 2007
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Originally posted by: JackMDS
Of the people who buy cards probably 90% buy it coz it is Cool (which is OK to do if one desperately needs to be Cool).

Some of us are cool anyhow and don't need a dedicated card to increase our level of coolness lol

Merry Christmas everyone

 

Elcs

Diamond Member
Apr 27, 2002
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Soundstorm back in the NForce2 days really hiked up the stakes in the onboard sound market. It was probably the first reasonable onboard sound solution and for 4 years, I never used a sound card.

The only reason I am using one in my new build is because of the way my PC/TV/Radio/Speakers are set up, I required an Optical Out for the sound not offered by my onboard sound.
 

RebateMonger

Elite Member
Dec 24, 2005
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I haven't used a sound card in several years now. Over the years, I've owned AdLib (1987), Thunderboard (1989), Creative, Turtle Beach, and many other cards. Today, I have a bunch of used Soundblaster 5.1 cards sitting on the shelf, along with an unopened Audigy 2.

Once you've experienced Doom with a MONOPHONIC Thunderboard sound card, anything that's stereo sounds good. It was scary hearing an approaching screaming monster and not knowing which direction it was coming from.
 

EarthwormJim

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2003
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Thanks for the responses. I'll probably pick up a new x-fi and compare it to my old Audigy and see if it sounds any better.
 

cozumel

Senior member
Nov 29, 2007
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And Creative do not use high quality components compared to Auzentech but are cheaper. Just so you know, when making a choice of which card.
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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Please give us a blow-by-blow as to why Auzentech components are "high quality" vs Creative's.
 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: Blain
Please give us a blow-by-blow as to why Auzentech components are "high quality" vs Creative's.

One could say that the electrolytic caps used on Creative boards are not as high of quality as the solid caps used on Auzentech and HT OMEGA products.
 

cozumel

Senior member
Nov 29, 2007
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Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: Blain
Please give us a blow-by-blow as to why Auzentech components are "high quality" vs Creative's.

One could say that the electrolytic caps used on Creative boards are not as high of quality as the solid caps used on Auzentech and HT OMEGA products.
Exactly. Eloctolytic = greater chance of product failure.
 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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True, eloctolytic caps have gone bad before.
But the solid cap hype is getting out of control. :laugh: Most of it stems from low quality caps that went bad on some MBs years ago. Ever since then, there's been a paranoyia over caps.

There are tons of electrical devices that have had eloctolytic caps for years, yet still keep chugging along.

BTW, If you actually USE a product, there's a greater chance of failure. :shocked:
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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Originally posted by: Blain
True, eloctolytic caps have gone bad before.
But the solid cap hype is getting out of control. :laugh: Most of it stems from low quality caps that went bad on some MBs years ago. Ever since then, there's been a paranoyia over caps.

There are tons of electrical devices that have had eloctolytic caps for years, yet still keep chugging along.

BTW, If you actually USE a product, there's a greater chance of failure. :shocked:

There is three type of thechology groups.

1. The ignorant that know nothing.

2. People with technology education and know how.

3. Online Forum Technology.

The 3rd group is quite amusing.

Why? Their technolgy reason is mainly geared toward justify social buying habits that has to do very little with technology.

I.e W = I x V is not the right equation.

It should be W = (I x V) / SD

W = Wattage in Watts

I - Current in Ampere

V = Voltage in Volts

SD= Social Desirability in Marlowe-Crowne Scale.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_desirability_bias

 

Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
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Originally posted by: JackMDS
3. Online Forum Technology.

The 3rd group is quite amusing.

Why? Their technolgy reason is mainly geared toward justify social buying habits that has to do very little with technology.
:D

 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: Blain
True, eloctolytic caps have gone bad before.
But the solid cap hype is getting out of control. :laugh: Most of it stems from low quality caps that went bad on some MBs years ago. Ever since then, there's been a paranoyia over caps.

There are tons of electrical devices that have had eloctolytic caps for years, yet still keep chugging along.

BTW, If you actually USE a product, there's a greater chance of failure. :shocked:

I didn't say that the use of electrolytics would cause it to fail prematurely. However, the caps used on the Auzentech board ARE higher quality and that is what you asked for.
 

JackMDS

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 25, 1999
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Originally posted by: PurdueRy

I didn't say that the use of electrolytics would cause it to fail prematurely. However, the caps used on the Auzentech board ARE higher quality and that is what you asked for.

In what way they are higher in quality, and why it should affect the working of the Card?

 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: JackMDS
Originally posted by: PurdueRy

I didn't say that the use of electrolytics would cause it to fail prematurely. However, the caps used on the Auzentech board ARE higher quality and that is what you asked for.

In what way they are higher in quality, and why it should affect the working of the Card?

You are trying to bait me here. I said nothing that electrolytics weren't PERFECTLY CAPABLE of doing the duties a sound card requires. However, their properties do possess strengths that electrolytic caps are weaker at.

Therefore they are HIGHER quality. Unnecessarily? Probably. However, that was not the original question.