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Thinking of getting a sound card for my Vista 64 computer

B

bovinda

Senior member
I'm thinking of getting a sound card. Is there a good, sorta-budget priced ($50-75) sound card out there that is stable on a Vista 64 system?

I've been using Realtek's integrated HD audio on my mobo. It's okay.

Would mainly be used for music and games (either headphones or 2.1 speaker system right now, may upgrade in the future, but not soon).
 
If your not a big audiophile then a sound card isn't needed. You probably wouldn't be able to make out any difference between onboard and a card.
 
Let me ask this then; does it eat up much CPU processing using onboard sound? I'm thinking CPU-intensive games in particular. Would game performance benefit by having a separate sound card?
 
I went from an audigy 2 ZS Plat to my onboard SoundMax HD audio on my motherboard when I switched to Vista, actually the onboard sounds better on my speakers for some reason (And they are very good quality speakers). (can't speak for the X-Fi, or Xonar series cards which are supposed to sound pretty darn good)

As for CPU usage, I don't think there would be any appreciable drag on your CPU. I think pretty much any game lag will be due to the limits of your graphics card way before the few cycles your sound processing eats up causes any problems.
 
Originally posted by: bovinda
Let me ask this then; does it eat up much CPU processing using onboard sound? I'm thinking CPU-intensive games in particular. Would game performance benefit by having a separate sound card?
Click to expand...

The only audio chip that is potentially going to save you a few CPU cycles is the X-Fi series. If you're willing to put up with Creative's drivers, you may want to consider X-Fi.

Otherwise the onboard audio chip will mostly do just fine, as long as you don't turn on 3D sound effects such as EAX.
 
That's the thing, I've heard so much about Creative's drivers sucking, I feel like it might cause more problems than not. I guess I'll just work with what I've got then and keep the 3D sound effects off. Thanks guys!
 
Creative drivers are that infamous? I've run a few systems with them installed and they worked absolutely flawlessly for me. Have 1 running in my htpc that my parents use and its been nothing but wonderful.
 
Originally posted by: krnmastersgt
Creative drivers are that infamous? I've run a few systems with them installed and they worked absolutely flawlessly for me. Have 1 running in my htpc that my parents use and its been nothing but wonderful.
Click to expand...

Yea Creative drivers suck. I've always had problems with them. I mean they've worked but they are bloated and some things didn't work correctly without some workaround but my Audigy Gamer was awesome when it came out like 7 years ago lol.
 
I'd recommend an Auzentech product. I'm running an Auzten Xplosion in Vista Ultimate 64-bit and have absolutely zero problems. Check out their website - www.auzentech.com I believe. Quality products - usually include multiple benefits (optical or coaxial out) vs. their creative competitors at cheaper price. My sound on a pair of Zalman 5.1 surround sound headphones are phenomenal...and, DTS support. Give them a look.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...829156001&Tpk=xplosion
 
Thanks for the suggestions - I'll give the Auzentech a look. I'd heard good things about it elsewhere as well, so I may end up going with that. Have you used it for games much? One of NewEgg's reviews complained a little about its compatibility with games, but otherwise it sounds great.
 
Originally posted by: bovinda
Thanks for the suggestions - I'll give the Auzentech a look. I'd heard good things about it elsewhere as well, so I may end up going with that. Have you used it for games much? One of NewEgg's reviews complained a little about its compatibility with games, but otherwise it sounds great.
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Yes, I game quite a bit. Call of Duty 4 and GR:AW2 were my biggest ones. Now I'm into Crysis and Crysis Warhead. Never had any issues - compatability-wise they may be talking that since it's not creative it doesn't have EAX, but trust me they sound pretty darn good.

When you get it just go to their website and download and use the latest drivers.
 
Originally posted by: bovinda
I'm thinking of getting a sound card. Is there a good, sorta-budget priced ($50-75) sound card out there that is stable on a Vista 64 system?

I've been using Realtek's integrated HD audio on my mobo. It's okay.

Would mainly be used for music and games (either headphones or 2.1 speaker system right now, may upgrade in the future, but not soon).
Click to expand...

I've been doing some research into this and if you're not interested in a Creative card, would recommend looking into HT Omega Striker, Auzentech Xplosion, or Asus Xonar
 
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