which is better - onboard sound or add-on sound ?

[trk1980]

i want to know the difference between an onboard sound and a add-on sound . when a mobo offers 8 channel audio output why does one need to buy a sound card like creative audigy 2ZS which also offers 8 channel audio?if creative card delivers better quality sound then what technology goes into it to achieve that extra quality - can anybody explain in a simple way?

 

[imported_DaveA]

Well basically onboard sound uses the CPU to do all its work, which means reduced FPS in games.

Certain add on sound cards have hardware acceleration, one of those sound cards being the Audigy 2 ZS.

 

[trk1980]

and also audigy 2ZS class cards support many formats like DVD audio,DTS ES,Doby Digital EX which is why they perform better and cost a few more bucks , is that true ?

 

[MadEye2]

If the onboard sound uses the PCI bus it will spare a lot of system resources. See if it says anything in the manual about it. The Audigy has onboard memory and you'll have better access to DSP effects with it (including EAX for gaming) than with most onboard SPUs. What are the specs for your onboard sound chip?
If it's any good buy a cheap SBLive! or Audigy 1, if you suffer performance loss with games, and use the onboard for DVDs and all.
I think by default the SBLive! only does 4.1 sound, but, some drivers I believe will allow you to use the headphone jack too giving you 6.1, don't quote me on that, though.

 

[m4ch0dude]

My audigy has 5.1 channel sound, and even though my mobo had a built in 6 ch card, I still find the audigy much better in terms of sound quality, flexibility, features, etc. Also, If you do any kind of music production, recording, or editing, an add on card is a must. I'd buy the audigy just for the asio support alone.

 

[MadEye2]

Yeah. With the Audigy and SBlive! you can run KX drivers and APS drivers that will give you better control of ESP effects. I don't know how the KX drivers fair in games, but with the APS ones I'm using they don't support EAX very well, but you can send sounds independently through the 8 analogue sound channels and the 2 digital channels (with the Live! Drive, anyway)
Creative Labs tend to be the favourite sound card manufacturers for most people, but their own drivers are crap if you want to use any sequencing or tracking software

 

[CraigRT]

I hate creative's drivers, but their actual hardware isn't too bad when it works

I like the envy24 based cards, but I haven't used my AV-710 for anything but 2 channel (which it's good at)

 

[gsellis]

Adding - and not all add ons are the same. While good for gaming, the Audigy 2 is not ideal for audio work. The Audigy 4 is supposed to be better, but some M-Audio cards have even better differences. BUT, you would not notice it for doing games or just listening in a regular room.

CraigRT - Not to make you angry (ref to old sig ), but really, it looks like CL has done a lot better in the last couple of years with the drivers.

 

[trk1980]

my onboard sound is intel's AZALIA complaint ...

 

[MadEye2]

i haven't found anything definite on Azalia, just comments by people saying that it makes sound flat and lifeless. If the chip has some DSP settings like reverb and chorus and an equalizer you should get better sound. Some people are claiming Azalia is too heavy on CPU resources, while others are saying it barely touches it, so I have no idea. I can't find anything solid on it, but most of the comments I've found are negative towards it.
I guess it's down to how much an audiophile you are and what you usually use the PC for. Can you can borrow a friend's Audigy or SBlive! to see which you prefer?

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: gsellis

CraigRT - Not to make you angry (ref to old sig ), but really, it looks like CL has done a lot better in the last couple of years with the drivers.

haha i can't believe you remember that
I only say this because recently when I went to install my SBLive, I had all kinds of hassles trying to find a driver that would work. with the AV-710 I just googled envy24 driver download, and the first link had what I needed, and it worked.

But other than that, I dont mind creatives cards.. although my next one might be an m-audio.