Question about onboard NF7-S sound VS Audigy ZS

[Hanzou]

From what i understand, Soundstorm is only used when hooked up to the optical/digital out. Otherwise yuo are just using the crappy Realtek audio codec, is this true? If so I guess I would notice quite an audio improvement if I upgrade to an Audigy ZS, correct?

 

[Brian48]

Otherwise yuo are just using the crappy Realtek audio codec, is this true? If so I guess I would notice quite an audio improvement if I upgrade to an Audigy ZS, correct?

Yes and Yes. I've had both.

 

[Anubis]

yes tha audighy 2 ZS is a very nice card, and IMO is better then woundstorm as well as the crappy realtek one

 

[ts3433]

You'd likely notice an improvement with the ZS, but maybe not enough to make the purchase worthwhile unless your speaker system is high-end. (Half-conjecture here; I apologize if wrong)

 

[Hanzou]

I just got a nice deal on the Logitech Z-5300 which is a pretty decent system. I also play a lot of games so I would think the Gaming quality sound would improve quite a bit.

 

[Hanzou]

any other opinions?

 

[boyRacer]

You would probably notice the better sound quality, but whether you think its worth it is up to you.

My brother is using the onboard with an analog 2.1 and he doesn't seem to mind the crappy realtek decoder.

 

[LED]

If you're 1 Gamer as stated don't even consider using the Soundstorm over that Audigy ...