onboard AC97 6 channel audio, is this ok for audio?

[gredodenda]

I know that buying a quality sound card reduces the CPU loads and much better sound quality...but my question is for my onboard AC97 audio...
I want to know if this is a cheap, decent, maybe good??

 

[Schadenfroh]

Model of said AC97 chip?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

AC97 doesn't really tell you what it is.

At any rate... what speakers/headphones are you using? Do you have good source material?

A soundcard is only going to make a significant difference if it's going to be replacing a "bottleneck" in your system (if it's your integrated sound holding you back).

If you have budget speakers or you have poor quality sources, then it's probably going to be a waste. That said, some onboard sound is particularly bad and could introduce obvious problems like hissing.

It might be best to try integrated first and see how you like it.

 

[gredodenda]

mobo is X7DAE, I'll check the chip on mobo if I can find it...

 

[gredodenda]

unfortunately I don't see chip model...

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What's the deal on the rest of it? (output device / source)

 

[secretanchitman]

i have AC97 6 channel audio...sounds alright. then again, im using 5.1 speakers.

 

[gredodenda]

This is the info I got for my onboard sound...Realtek AC'97 (ALC650)