Onboard sound vs. sound card...

[TechnoPro]

I'm no audiophile by any means. With that said, I'm curious, when does a sound card make a noticeable improvement over an onboard device?

 

[blodhi74]

what mobo do U have and what do U use it for ?

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: blodhi74
what mobo do U have and what do U use it for ?

Motherboard : Abit IT7-MAX2 V2.0

As for what I use it for...everything. All of the basics (Office apps / e-mail / web); light graphic and web design work; listen to large MP3 collection; watch movies (D/Ls and own DVDs); rarely play games other than backgammon. That's about it.

 

[blodhi74]

U will be ok with onboard sound

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: blodhi74
U will be ok with onboard sound

My question remains, though. When is a sound card of benefit?

 

[blodhi74]

Originally posted by: TechnoPro

Originally posted by: blodhi74
U will be ok with onboard sound

My question remains, though. When is a sound card of benefit?

yes .... in games and DVD watching UR CPU will have to deal with less cycles ... if U have 5.1 speaker system ....go for a stand alone sound card

 

[Bovinicus]

You will definitely enjoy an increase in sound quality when listening to music or watching moves. Gaming also benefits, but mostly in the positional audio department as opposed to sound quality.

 

[konakona]

quality of DAC and caps used mainly...

 

[TechnoPro]

Originally posted by: Bovinicus
You will definitely enjoy an increase in sound quality when listening to music or watching moves. Gaming also benefits, but mostly in the positional audio department as opposed to sound quality.

By positional audio, you mean surround sound and the like, right?

 

[327]

I am also wondering the same thing as the original poster. I have an Asus p4p800deluxe with Klipsch 4.1's and a standalone Klipsch SWS sub.

I mainly listen to mp3s, watch movies, and play madden and vice city
Would the mp3s sound that much better with say an Audigy2 ZS ?

 

[JeremiahTheGreat]

Depends on the digital-to-analogue converter...

my nForce2 board uses the "adequate" realtek one, but i can tell the difference between it and my Fortissimo II. The treble is not as sharp, and the bass is duller... it all depends on 1) Your speakers, 2) Your ears.

If it was up to me, then i would have to say no, it will sound worse compared to the Audigy.

 

[goblue420]

geta an audigy 1 off of ebay and load up the audigy2 drivers with it, great sound card imo

 

[Bovinicus]

Originally posted by: TechnoPro

Originally posted by: Bovinicus
You will definitely enjoy an increase in sound quality when listening to music or watching moves. Gaming also benefits, but mostly in the positional audio department as opposed to sound quality.

By positional audio, you mean surround sound and the like, right?

Something like that. Audio that is selectively cast through different channels to create the effect of direction, space, and distance. You can get really good positional audio effects through headphones.