Onbard sound or add on card? primarily games...suggestions on cards?

[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...

I currently have an Epox 9Npa Ultra board with the realtek sound controller and enjoy the front headphone port...suggestions appreciated.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I don't know if you'd want to do this, but I just ran a headphone extension cable from my soundcard out to my desk, so I just plug my headphones in there.
I'm using digital out though, so all my analog jacks are free. I don't know if you can reassign an audigy jack so you can do headphones + 5.1 hooked up at the same time.

Audigy2 cards are pretty much undisputed for what you should get if you're gaming focused and you're hooking up in analog.

What kind of speakers do you have by the way?

 

[bozack]

My speakers are Atlantic Technology three speaker setup with their Bass Toaster module..doubt you would have ever heard of them as I don't know if they were ever on the market, mainly I play with headphones though.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Nope, never heard of it

 

[07]

If you play in stereo, why buy an 8 channel card.

An EMU 0404 will give you a huge edge in sound quality

 

[imported_Kensai]

Discrete is always better than integrated nowadays.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Kensai
Discrete is always better than integrated nowadays.

?

 

[Mellman]

I bought something at radio-crap for $5

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=26-204

sadly it looks like its $16 from them now.

in any case it works GREAT for this. I use it for games when i need a mic. Push the button, and i use my headset, or push it again and it goes through my Cambridge 510D's