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Mobo Onboard Sound

ktorrresxiii

ktorrresxiii

Junior Member
Hi everyone, I'm thinking about buying an analog headset and I'm not sure if I need a sound card or not.
My mother board is MSI Z77A-G43.
Could anyone kindly tell me if I need a soundcard to use an analog headset?
 
It would depend on the headset, some need more juice to run them than others so need a small power amp to give the extra juice. Some soundcards come with a built in headphone amp.

If it's a standard 16 ohm headset it shouldn't be an issue, although you are likely to get better sound from a decent soundcard.
 
Deders said:
It would depend on the headset, some need more juice to run them than others so need a small power amp to give the extra juice. Some soundcards come with a built in headphone amp.

If it's a standard 16 ohm headset it shouldn't be an issue, although you are likely to get better sound from a decent soundcard.
Click to expand...

I was planning to get a Gamdios Eros Headset
 
ktorrresxiii said:
Hi everyone, I'm thinking about buying an analog headset and I'm not sure if I need a sound card or not.
My mother board is MSI Z77A-G43.
Could anyone kindly tell me if I need a soundcard to use an analog headset?
Click to expand...

Yes you need a sound card. The motherboard has one built-in. Try using that first, before spending more money. After all, you already paid for it.
 
It depends on the impedance rating of your headphones. From my experience with a more expensive MSI Z77A-GD65, the onboard ALC898 wasn't good enough to drive my headphones(30-40 Ohm) to its full potential. I have since used a cheap USB DAC which does a lot better than the onboard.

The main problem I had with the ALC898 was volume. I do suggest purchasing the headset first, test with the onboard to determine if its loud enough for you, then decide if you need it. Sound is subjective; I most certainly felt that mine was underwhelming when it came to onboard sound quality and volume.

I recommend these headsets instead, Steelseries 5Hv2 or Logitech G230. Some Steelseries 5Hv2 sets does come with a USB sound card for audio and mic, acceptable sound quality. I'm unsure if this set comes with USB sound card.
 
ktorrresxiii said:
Hi everyone, I'm thinking about buying an analog headset and I'm not sure if I need a sound card or not.
My mother board is MSI Z77A-G43.
Could anyone kindly tell me if I need a soundcard to use an analog headset?
Click to expand...
I don't really have much of an ear for such things. I would describe my hearing as normal. So any elaborate sound beyond what the motherboard supplies would basically be casting pearls before the swine. 😀
 
dma0991 said:
It depends on the impedance rating of your headphones. From my experience with a more expensive MSI Z77A-GD65, the onboard ALC898 wasn't good enough to drive my headphones(30-40 Ohm) to its full potential. I have since used a cheap USB DAC which does a lot better than the onboard.

The main problem I had with the ALC898 was volume. I do suggest purchasing the headset first, test with the onboard to determine if its loud enough for you, then decide if you need it. Sound is subjective; I most certainly felt that mine was underwhelming when it came to onboard sound quality and volume.

I recommend these headsets instead, Steelseries 5Hv2 or Logitech G230. Some Steelseries 5Hv2 sets does come with a USB sound card for audio and mic, acceptable sound quality. I'm unsure if this set comes with USB sound card.
Click to expand...

In the event I decide I need a sound card, do you have any recommendations for sound cards? Will something like an Asus Xonar DG 5.1 do?
 
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