SoundCard Help...

[DMXSNOW]

I really don't know anything about soundcards or speakers. I'm planning to buy a new one since the one I have now barely makes any good sound out of my old speakers. I don't know if I should just get new speakers, soundcard or both.

Speaker: 5yr old Polk Audio (HP)
Soundcard: Realtek AC97 Audio PCI

Spec if needed to find a compatible soundcard:
Asus A8V-E Deluxe
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
Nvidia 6600GT PCI
1 gig ram.

Do I only need new speakers, or a new soundcard?

Also my Budget is about 80$, anything cheaper would be great too.

Thanks.

 

[Ike0069]

For gaming or music mainly?

 

[Fresh Daemon]

For gaming, Audigy or Audigy 2.

For music on a budget, Chaintec AV70 (IIRC that's the model). For more money, Realtrak or M-Audio.

What problems are you having with sound? Describe how the quality is lacking.

 

[DMXSNOW]

Gaming.(Battlefield 2, shooters etc..)

 

[Fresh Daemon]

Audigy rules for gaming. Lowest CPU useage and best surround & DSP effects.

 

[DMXSNOW]

Speakers: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836150008

Soundcard#1: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications...item-details.asp?EdpNo=1532756&CatId=0

Soundcard#2(If I get this one, Im going to keep my old speakers): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16829102175

 

[DMXSNOW]

Are those any good? ^

 

[Auric]

Value is supplied with hardware EAX acceleration so would be better than the LS, however that price is rather high. Check pricegrabber, froogle and hot deals. There are rebates available too. You might also consider bare/OEM and/or the ZS with rebates, or even used. An original Audigy with ZS software for example may be the best value, leaving the most moolah for speakers. But really, I would recommend headphones on such a modest budget to get the best bang for the rupee.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

What do you mean by "barely makes any good sound"?

Is the signal not loud enough or something?

Before you buy a new soundcard or speakers, it would probably be good to figure out where your initial problem is.

Can you plug your speakers into a portable CD player or something and see if things improve? If it sounds a lot better from a different source, then getting a new soundcard makes sense.

If it still sounds pretty crappy, then it's a decision between getting just new speakers/headphones or trying to fit a new soundcard in your budget too.

If you need to get both, there have been some very nice deals on Audigy2 cards... with the zs going for about $40 AR. I'd usually say don't bother with an expensive soundcard on a budget like this. I don't know how the LS compares to the other A2 cards. If it supports the same EAX level etc, then it might be a good idea at so cheap.

That would allow you to get slightly better speakers (like Logitech z-3 vs x-230s).

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: DMXSNOW
Are those any good? ^

the cheap audigy will work fine

the speakers are junk. get altec lansing or logitech speakers. cheap and sound reasonably ok.

5.1 set

2.1 set

any of those will do. go look for sales in the hotdeals forum or fatwallet.