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Posted

Hey all

 

Is a sound card worth it over the built in realtek stuff? I dont have external speakers just a decent gaming headset (TB Z22). Either SB or this one, which with rebate is $18 right now. Kind of hard to pass up.

 

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-XONAR-Headphone-Audio-Card/dp/B0045JHJSS/ref=sr_1_1



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Posted

Hey all

 

Is a sound card worth it over the built in realtek stuff? I dont have external speakers just a decent gaming headset (TB Z22). Either SB or this one, which with rebate is $18 right now. Kind of hard to pass up.

 

http://www.amazon.com/ASUS-XONAR-Headphone-Audio-Card/dp/B0045JHJSS/ref=sr_1_1

 

 

Disclaimer:  This is the opinion of an audiophile with strong opinions on the subject

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

I've done  LOT of research into this and I've concluded that no... they are not worth the money.  They are better than the built in mobo sound cards but not by enough to justify money.

 

If you want a better sound card with excellent fidelity for a good price... get something external. They have the best NSR and highest reviews on sound fidelity. 

 

I have the Fiio E10 and it's the best DAC I've ever heard in it's price range. (better ones are $250 and up)

http://www.fiio.net/products/index.aspx?ID=100000028262517&MenuID=105026003

 

I play crysis with my ears and this DAC lets me do that. I can hear where most people are on the map at all times. It's great :)  It's like a radar.

 

----------------

 

Oh... I should also say that there is no point in getting any of these sound cards unless you are using high end headphones.   $100 and up.    NO BEATS AUDIO SHIT.

 

I'm using Denon AHD2000 model and listening to my favorite music at 24bit/96khz gives me eargasm :D

 

No point buying an expensive DAC with crappy headphones... you won't hear the difference.



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Posted

If you get a really quality sound card you'll appreciate the difference between great sound and bad noise. Unless you have a high end mobo with on board sound chip, most average mobo sound chip won't give a really great sound. IMO, a seperate sound $50+ will give you better sound.

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Posted (edited)

There are better sound cards then integrated realtek. For Win 7/8 computers Creative Sound Blaster Recon3d Series. Some X-FI have good reviews but some are lower end.  For Win XP you can go with Audigy 2 zs PCI, I can vouch and say it's a great card. But too old to run on Vista and newer. Some people like ASUS Xonar but it has mixed reviews.

 

If you are looking for Directx 10 compatible sound cards, you might be out of luck. I'll keep digging but it appears no one says if their cards are directx or not. 

 

It all comes down to what features you want and intended usage (studio, gaming, recording ect.) Well we already know you'll game with it.

 

 

Edit: ASUS Xonar just emulates old EAX 3/2 and adds DTS support.

 

EAX is compatible with Directx/Directx audio, so get a Recon 3d (latest EAX 5.0 HD) instead since they are cheap enough online. No sense in getting Xonar and settling for second best when you can have flag ship.

Edited by Warmonger


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Posted

If you get a really quality sound card you'll appreciate the difference between great sound and bad noise. Unless you have a high end mobo with on board sound chip, most average mobo sound chip won't give a really great sound. IMO, a seperate sound $50+ will give you better sound.

Just can't agree with that , you have to pay $150. + sound card then yes , But  for gaming , I have never seen much difference to pay that much , But for great quality music (not mp3 either) thats different story. with good speakers or  good headphones, I mean good quality..



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Posted

since 486 sound has come along way, also cpu extra's cores helped the sound quality

 

today's onboard sound is same thing as a card just main lined to cpu without a slot

 

some  cards have better op amps then onboard

 

for everyone has different taste  like Bose  to radio shack speakers to klipsch hershy's

 

save your money and get  1/8 mini stereo to rca cord to hook up to receiver, amp and have pounding sound



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Posted

Seeing as you do not use anything to plug into it why bother. You use USB for your headset and that is perfect. Save your money send me beer :)



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Posted

get a good motherboard with optical out and spend your money on good headset only way to go! if you need a sound card because your onboard died I have a soundblaster recon 3D you can have!


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