• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Which audio card?

A

Adn4n

Golden Member
I'm building a small entertainment center in my room, and I need some advice. My motherboard has an Instant Music function, which makes it a sweet component of my overall system. I need, however, a better quality soundcard; any suggestions? I'm a heavy gamer, but I also want it to play music at high quality. I'm going for 5.1, though I haven't decided on the speaker yet.

Needs:

High quality at high volume
 
If you want high quality music, go with one that supports kernel streaming that doesn't upsample all your music, which degrades sound quality.
Get the Chaintech AV-710 or the EMU0404/1212.
First, what speakers do you have, if you have the Z-640s, then you should probably be spending money on new speakers instead.
Gaming is a bit different than simple audio depending on your tastes. If you enjoy environmental audio, a lot of games only support EAX 3/4 which are exclusive on audigy cards, which is why audigy is usually preferred for gaming.
Also a good powerful audio processor can reduce your cpu utlilization in games by a few percent, giving you a small fps boost.

What a lot of people are doing is getting the audigy2 for games, and the chaintech av-710 for music. The av710 only costs $20 and will work well in conjunction with the audigy2. Yes you can have 2 soundcards in your system at once.
 
The Audigy has EAX which gives addition sound effects which shines while playing Games...I'm no gamer but you can Click Here to read about it's claim to fame
 
Ok the Chaintech-710 is a must for me now, but could someone recommend me some 7.1 speakers, looks like I'm not going 5.1 after all.
Also, would the Audigy 2 ZS be sufficient for gaming? Or are the other versions worth the premium?
 
are you kidding? the Audigy 2 ZS is all you'll need for gaming for qutie sometime. If you are a gamer there is just no substitute. It is the only card that uspports all forms of EAX, inclusign the new environmental positioning eax or whatever it's called.

I've got a auidgy 2 zs hooked up to some logitech z680s and it is quite incredible for surroudn sound gaming.
 
Ok so I'll be going with the following:
Chaintech-710
Audigy 2 ZS Gamer

I do, however, need recommendations on speakers.
 
Do you really want to spend the extra $$ on the zs Gamer version?It only includes some game titels vs. the plain zs model.If the included games are worth the cost to you,that's fine o/w I'd recommend the Audigy2 zs.
I built my new system with it,but must say I note no difference in sound quality or performance compared to my previous system with the Audigy(1st edition) Gamer.
It does however provide far better quality/performance compared to onboard audio.My previous board had AC'97 RealTek 650 and this one has AC'97 RealTek 850.Both suck for gaming or music if you have good quality O/P i.e. speakers/headphones.
I mainly use a pair of Denon 750 headphones,wich are very good quality and make it easy to dicern over quality differences.
 
There is a deal @ bestbuy with a $50 mail in rebate. So it comes out cheaper, otherwise I would never do it.
Oh good that you brought up the headphones, I need a better pair as well. I'll do some research.
 
To which one of these numerous Audigys can I plug in an optical digital cable for my Z680? I also like to send a regular "line in" mini-rca from my XM-Radio and listen to Fungus while I game. The web site just doesn't give me enough info. It talks about digital out but it looks like they're goin to force me to buy that extra panel add-on thing.
 
Originally posted by: Adn4n
There is a deal @ bestbuy with a $50 mail in rebate. So it comes out cheaper, otherwise I would never do it.
Oh good that you brought up the headphones, I need a better pair as well. I'll do some research.
Click to expand...
That deals dead unless there's another $50 MIR I'm not aware of.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top