Do I Need A Sound Card?

[stevem326]

I have an Intel DG965WH motherboard (link) that has onboard sound (8-channel (7.1) audio subsystem using the SigmaTel* STAC9271 audio codec).

Does anybody know if my onboard sound supports surround sound speakers (4 speakers and a subwoofer) or should I buy a sound card instead?

Also, does using onboard sound slow down the frame rate in games? I have a Core 2 Duo E6600 CPU with 2 GB of RAM so I'm thinking this is enough firepower to keep the frame rate up if I use onboard sound.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Operandi]

Your speakers are 4.1, your board supports up to 7.1 so your set.

On board chipsets are typically slower but the difference is so small you would never notice it especially with a 6600.

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Your speakers are 4.1, your board supports up to 7.1 so your set.

On board chipsets are typically slower but the difference is so small you would never notice it especially with a 6600.

Thanks for your reply. My current speakers (2 satellites and a subwoofer) are Logitech X-230's Link but I'm thinking about buying these ones Logitech X-540's

Will my onboard sound support the Logitech X-540's?

Thanks again!

 

[Gautama2]

Yes it will, but I would get a soundcard just for the better sound quality.

 

[SkyDiver]

The nForce2 was the first MB chipset to have really good on-board sound. Reviews showed that it actually reduced CPU load. I don't know about today's sound systems. I also know that Creative came out with better cards that took more of the load off the CPU. If you don't care about having the absolute greatest sound, it is probably OK.

(I went with the X-Fi, myself)

 

[stevem326]

Thanks for the additional info. What's the least amount of money I'd have to spend to get a halfway decent sound card? And how hard are they to install? The only thing I've ever installed is a hard drive and operating system (no cards or anything). I'm sure it's pretty easy though...

Thanks again for the additional info!

 

[Lemon law]

To Steven326,

Cards are super easy to install---while the computer is off--remove teh left panel-- remove the little clip blocking the slot by loosening the screw---plug the card into the PCI slot---use the screw to lock it down--replace the left side panel--and reboot the computer---the new hardware wizard should come up and walk you through the rest of the installation which involves installing the right drivers.

But on a sound card--there may be additional complications if an onboard chip exists that also will do sound---not only may you have to set sound options settings in your computer bios, you may also have to set jumpers on your motherboard. No big deal if you have the proper documentation and jumpers if needed, but very confusing if you don't. But at a local walmart---their sound card was $25.00---really good ones go for more like $80 and up.---but I will let people more expert on sound cards than I make recommendations.

My problem was the reverse---I bought a used computer with a sound card and also an on board sound chip. Given that the PCI slot was needed for other things--I removed the sound card and enabled the chip---but I am not an audiophile---I don't notice the difference---but respect that someone else would.

 

[40sTheme]

Get those Logitech's. I have the 2.1 version of those speakers and they are incredibly excellent.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: stevem326
Thanks for the additional info. What's the least amount of money I'd have to spend to get a halfway decent sound card? And how hard are they to install? The only thing I've ever installed is a hard drive and operating system (no cards or anything). I'm sure it's pretty easy though...

Thanks again for the additional info!

The SigmaTel chip on your board is a very good quality HD (high-definition) chip. It's output will be very good, there is no reason to buy add in card without at least trying what is on the Intel board first.

 

[Roguestar]

^^^ Exactly.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=27&threadid=1983386

Sound cards don't hold much chock with me as long as you have good quality integrated sound. OP, I'd say you wouldn't notice a difference even if you did get a sound card.

 

[zeeon2003]

Onboard sound has made giant strides over the last 2-3 years, and the onboard audio of the D965WH is pretty good. A "good" quality add on sound card like Creative X-fi Extreme music (or better) can add slightly more clarity to music, have more customizable stuff/environments, support for some "pro" audio software, and have a better support for games. Cheaper cards are likely to be worse off vs good on-board sound.

 

[stevem326]

Thanks a lot for all of the info everyone. I think I'm going to stick with the onboard sound for now and see how that goes. It sounds like I've got a pretty decent chip already. If I find it's not meeting my needs then I'll start looking for a sound card at that point.

Thanks again!!

 

[Ichigo]

Not to mention it's ridiculous to buy a soundcard for budget speakers.

 

[pauche]

I could not get the onboard sound working right on my Intel DG965OT so I wound up buying a SB Audigy 4. The sound is definately improved compared to my onboard sound on the Asus A8n32-sli.