Regular Headsets vs USB Headsets

[Hav0k99]

I'm looking to get a headset for Counterstike Source and Battlfield 1942. I don't want to spend more then $25. There's all kinds and the only thing I'm sure of is I want the around-the-neck style. Does anyone know about regular vs usb?

 

[Odeen]

A regular headset will utilize your computer's sound generation capability (i.e. your soundcard or your onboard audio, which you shouldn't be gaming on anyway).

A USB headset is essentially its own soundcard. It's useful for laptops, or if your onboard sound REALLY blows chunks. It can also produce clearer sound, since the analog circuitry is not stuck inside the radio-frequency noise-infested computer case, but rather next to your ear.

Setting up a USB headset might be a little more challenging - since Windows will essentially have two soundcards on file all of the sudden (your regular sound card plus your headset.) You'll need to set up Windows to use the USB headset as the preferred device for input and output.

 

[Hav0k99]

thanks Odeen!

 

[Zepper]

Regular headphones don't eat any CPU cycles - USB ones do...
.bh.

 

[Odeen]

Right, because USB sound is primitive at best. No fancy DSP's for 3D audio - just the bare minimum that the OS needs to output sound to it.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Odeen
Right, because USB sound is primitive at best. No fancy DSP's for 3D audio - just the bare minimum that the OS needs to output sound to it.

I use a Audigy2 ZS and a USB logitech HS..
i use the headset for just the good mike with TS.. output all other sound to the ZS has no issues other than I have to make sure i open WoW before i plug in the headset then launch teamspeak..

you can switch them on the fly for the most part XP does a good job of switching the sound sources back and forth