What difference does a top end sound card make?

[Staz]

My main system is a gaming rig, and use a basic SB Live Value as my soundcard. My speakers are basic speakers with a sub below. I don't have my system plugged into my stereo system or anything fancy like that. When it comes to gaming preformance, would going to a better sound card have any effect?

 

[ts3433]

A sound card does not really increase your frame rate in games much over even onboard sound these days. If you don't have high-end speakers, you don't really need a sound card.

 

[coejus]

The speakers are going to be the main limiting factor. I can't see a point in upgrading my somewhat ancient Santa Cruz, unless it was for recording (though that's what my mixer and line in are for).

 

[sat]

Unless you upgrade your speakers to a 5.1 or 7.1 (!) setup, I dont think it will make *any* noticeable (audible) difference. I was using my integrated sound chip (SoundMAX on Asus P4C800Deluxe) and yesterday I started having some problems, and so I bought a Soundblaster Live! 24-bit (for $29.99 at CC) and noticed no differences whatsover (except it is stable and doesnt cut off like the motherboard sound chip - but that's a story for another day/thread).

I have the same speaker setup as you as well (2 satellites & a sub under my desk). I find it adequate for my gaming needs. BTW, I do not watch video/dvd on my computer.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I upgraded to an audigy 2 sometime back and the only thing i heard a few new sounds here and there on some of my games and the audio was slightly more "realistic" sounding I guess due to the EAX, but nothing to write home about