On-Board Sound or Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum Ex

[TheDisturbance]

Sounds kind of stupid but what should I do?

I don't know what mobo i'm gonna get yet but I can get the Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum Ex for $100. Should I use onboard or the Ex? I play a lot of music and games.

 

[spanky]

umm... is this a joke?

if u can afford the $100 soundcard... then by all means do it.

 

[BFG10K]

If you have enough cash then you should absolutely get the Audigy because you'll get better sound, more features and lower CPU usage. The only time I'd recommend onboard sound is if you can't afford a proper sound card.

 

[Bovinicus]

Use anything but onboard sound. Onboard sound has historically been terrible, although things are improving with the onboard sound on the latest motherboards. The nForce chipset is another exception from what I hear. If you don't want to spend the money on the Platinum, then just buy a cheaper add-on sound card. The Philips Seismic/Rhythmic Edge is a good alternative for a lower cost.

 

[fastman]

I just purchased an Audigy2 Plat. Upgraded from on-board sound, as far as games goes not worth it, but music listening and Ripping CD yes it's worth it as you can hear more details. Don't believe the CPU issue is an issue with todays CPU's. Comes down to what you want and how much do you what to spend.

 

[TheDisturbance]

don't most motherboards only have the line-in, out, and mic ports...not the orange and black ones? i know the it7-max2 has the orange and black ones...i think i'm gonna go for a dual ddr board though...is getting this platinum ex worth it in the future for games and music?

 

[Kingofcomputer]

today's motherboards all have 6 ch output by either using mic-in and line-in or put the additional jacks on a separate panel, also have spdif in/out by separate panel.

 

[crisscross]

The Nforce2 supposedly rivals the Audigy2 in terms of sound and you can pick up the Asus A7N8X for $146 at googlegear.

 

[Mavrick007]

If you could afford $100 for a soundcard, then I would put that money into the Nforce2 board and then buy the fastest cpu you can get with good ram and you will have a kicking system, not to mention you will probably equal out in the amount that you would have spent with a different mobo, cpu, ram, and that "expensive" sound card.

I was thinking about getting an Audigy 2 Platinum too, but now that the Nforce 2 is out, I'm thinking about other ideas. I can basically get the mobo for free cause the Audigy card will cost more than the whole mobo!

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: fastman
I just purchased an Audigy2 Plat. Upgraded from on-board sound, as far as games goes not worth it, but music listening and Ripping CD yes it's worth it as you can hear more details. Don't believe the CPU issue is an issue with todays CPU's. Comes down to what you want and how much do you what to spend.

Huh? You must not be playing games that support EAX. What kind of speaker set-up are you using? You definitely won't hear much difference in games if you aren't using nice speakers with 5.1 sound. I think that Audigy Platinum EX is a pretty good deal if you are willing to sit on $120 in rebates for a while and if you are going to use all the features of the 5 1/4'' drive. As for the nForce2, the sound is definitely on par with any add-in card, but the investment in a card gives you flexibility. Original poster never mentioned what CPU he is using, so nForce isn't an option if he wants to go P4. Also, if he is using an Athlon now, and he wants to switch to a P4 system later, he can port over his sound easily. Quality onboard stuff is a nice bonus, but relying on it often restricts future upgrade options.

Chiz