Epox 9NPA + Ultra owners, are you using onboard sound or something else?

[bozack]

Debating whether or not it would be worth my while to invest in an addon sound card much like the Audigy 2...my previous computer had a Live X gamer that I enjoyed however from everything I have read it seems like none of the gaming cards will allow me to use my front case headphone ports as the onboard sound does now...

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks

 

[imported_meatball]

IF you're a gamer, which I assume you are, then I'd probably get a 64-bit sound card. Me, not being a gamer, am totally satisfied with onboard sound.

 

[bozack]

Yeah I am a gamer however everyone points to the Soundblaster being the best option yet it doesn't support the front audio ports on my case...

any suggestions for good sound cards for front sound support? Thanks

 

[Jeff H]

bozack, FWIW I'm using an Audigy 2 on my 9NPA+ board. I suppose one of these days I should try the onboard sound just to hear what it sounds like. Seemed foolish on my 9NPA+ board as I had the Audigy 2 to install.

Jeff

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Jeff H
bozack, FWIW I'm using an Audigy 2 on my 9NPA+ board. I suppose one of these days I should try the onboard sound just to hear what it sounds like. Seemed foolish on my 9NPA+ board as I had the Audigy 2 to install.

Jeff

Thanks, I think I am going to go this route as well..just trying to decide is the ZS model is worth it for me over the value model as I only really use headphones and otherwise a three speaker setup which includes a sub.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: bozack

Originally posted by: Jeff H
bozack, FWIW I'm using an Audigy 2 on my 9NPA+ board. I suppose one of these days I should try the onboard sound just to hear what it sounds like. Seemed foolish on my 9NPA+ board as I had the Audigy 2 to install.

Jeff

Thanks, I think I am going to go this route as well..just trying to decide is the ZS model is worth it for me over the value model as I only really use headphones and otherwise a three speaker setup which includes a sub.

Get the Value. There's very little difference. With the ZS you get a spare Firewire port in the back, which is nice since the 9NPA+ doesn't have any. But if you've got front Firewire, or just don't need it (USB2 is faster) then you're set with the Value.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Bona Fide
Get the Value. There's very little difference. With the ZS you get a spare Firewire port in the back, which is nice since the 9NPA+ doesn't have any. But if you've got front Firewire, or just don't need it (USB2 is faster) then you're set with the Value.

Thanks,

I don't use firewire for anything and don't forsee myself either however my case does have a front firewire port that isn't connected as well as the board came with a plate that has two firewire ports on it which are still in the box and will most likely stay there.

Thanks

 

[RobbyG]

I'm using the onboard sound with the Nvidia driver and haven't had any major problems to report. I'm not an audiophile by any means, but to me the sound quality isn't bad at all. My only complaint is the the Linein is way over amplified compared to my old Soundblaster Live card. My TV Tuner card's audio output goes to the LineIn and I have to turn the slider all the way to the minimum in the mixer to keep the sound normal.

I would have just used my Soundblaster but in addition to the TV Tuner I also have my internal PCI modem plugged in and the 3rd PCI slot is unusable to keep my video card from overheating.