Whhich has better audio?

[HeXploiT]

So i just installed my new EVGA 122-CK-NF68 with onboard Realtek AC'97 Hi def and i'm wondering if i should use it or my Soundblaster Audigy eX? It's rather difficult to find reviews with benchmarks on these things. I'm thinking that the Audigy would be superior since it uses hardware decoding but again i know very little about sound software/hardware.

Any opinions or advice?

 

[Jiggz]

Audio or sound is very subjective. I say, try each one about a week at a time and find out for yourself. You'll be surprise how moot is the difference.

 

[w00t]

probably the Audigy eX

from what I've heard onboard is bad although I use it :-D

 

[Varun]

The Audigy likely is and only because it wouldn't use the cheapest DACs and such for output. Usually onboard is crappy not because of the chipset but all of the other hardware.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Try both if you want, but I would bet on the Audigy.

 

[sdifox]

Listen to the AC97 first, if you find it lacking, then get sound card. Personally, I hookup my computer though digital out to my receiver. For dvd playback it's just bitstream out, for computer games, it sounds good enough.

 

[Roguestar]

From what I've heard (no pun intended) the AC'97 isn't of very good quality. I wouldn't base onboard sound on the whole, though. Some onboard sound these days is really quite good.