Need Some Audio Advice

[gummi467]

Ok so no one responded so now I will edit. Here is a more simple approach. Please spare a sec and give me your opinion.


Realtek AC'97 integrated or some store bought card?

Recommendation for card to purchase if I want to have good quality music as well as good game sound. (more emphasis on music quality as long as no massive processor usage. a compromise is good)


Thanks in advance!

 

[will889]

The Audigy 2 is not bad, actually pretty good with music, games shine though and low CPU usage. And nice comprimise would be the older venerable Santa Cruise Turtle Beach which sounds nice for music and pretty good with games as well - uses sunsura for sound positioning in games. Since you mentioned games I didn't mention the Revo or envy based cards. If you want really good music reproduction the M-audio revo is really good but it has a high CPU usage.

 

[cubanx]

I upgraded from the Onboard MSI Neo Platinum Realtek AC'97 to a SB Audigy 2 ZS Gamer and the SB card blow's it out of the water in both sound quality and drivers. Doom 3 now sounds amazing with my Logitech 5300 speakers. Music also sounds alot clearer and defined. I didn't think there would be much of a difference but I was wrong. Your results will also vary depending on what kind of speakers your using also. CPU usage seems to be very low also.

 

[konakona]

as long as you dont do EAX gaming much av-710 is a good choice - clearly superior to any audigy for music. best part is its only $23 shipped. EMU-0404 is a huge leap toward audiophile standards but both are 2.1 channel only (av-710 needs to be ran in 2channel to use the high quality wolfson DAC), so bummer if you are into multi-channel crappola.