I know sound is needed for any video games. But I have a Sound Blaster X-Fi or something along those lines which is really good. I'm currently trying to replace parts of my PC (I.E. RAM and graphics card) But should I replace my sound card?
IMHO most onboard sound now is more than good enough.
My Audigy 2 is been jumping from one system to another as I upgrade and it still sound great. Your X-FI is even newer, keep it and save the cash :)
Mainboards come with pretty good graphics and sound embedded now, even on low cost models. (I know, just not quite enough for Vista Premium - pity board GPU going to waste.)
I don't play games, but like to listen to music of a reasonably high quality.
My MB is a great ASUS that was the lowest price in the store.. has..
and going to waste ....8 Channel High Definition Audio
Enjoy high-end sound system on your PC! The onboard HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different destinations. You can now talk to your partners on the headphone while playing a multi-channel network games. All of these are done on one computer.
You should see the heatsink on the north bridge ..Intel® G31 Chipset
The Intel® G31 Express Chipset boosts your gaming and multimedia experience with the integrated graphics engine Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100. It supports 1333MHz FSB (front-side-bus), and delivers breakthrough advances in 3D and 2D graphics; and video capabilities. This integrated chipset is able to meet the changing display requirements of visually rich applications and features the Intel® Clear Video Technology - which trailblazes new standards in high-definition video, crisp imaging, and accurate color control.
P5KPL-CM
High valued performance with FSB1600 support
- Intel LGA775 Platform
- 45nm CPU ready
- Intel G31/ICH7 Chipset
- FSB 1600(O.C.)/1333/1066/800
- Dual-Channel DDR2 1066(O.C*)/800/667
- PCI Express x16
- PCIe Gb Lan
- 4x SATA 3Gb/s
- 8 CH HD audio
- EZ Flash2 & Crashfree BIOS3
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
I am an audiophile, and I love my E-Mu 1820M. It is also used for recording. If you are just into games, then I would stick with on-board and crank the bass. But, if you like quality music then it is worth it to buy a card. M-Audio makes a very good card for around eighty bucks, that produces some excellent playback audio. "Gamer" cards tend to be a little too heavy on the bass for me.
Basically, for 99% of people I'd say dedicated soundcards are excessive. I decided to buy an Asus Xonar D2X about 6 months ago, since I was going to use my computer to power an extremely high powered home theatre system. I chose the pci-e version since I knew that pci-e will be around for a long time to come.
The sound quality HAS improved, admittedly, but whether it would be worth the $200 cost for casual gamers and music lovers is doubtful.
Stick with what you have until it is no longer adequate for your needs. And when that day comes, buy something you know will last through many upgrade cycles; soundcards don't evolve overnight like graphics cards.
Yes that would be true if it werent for built-in obsolescence
as demonstrated so well by Creative, who refuse to update the drivers for their older generation of audio cards,
or purposely crippling the drivers/features for older cards,
thus forcing consumers into buying newer models of cards.
And when some good and technically knowledgeable person like Daniel K discovers their underhanded tactics and decides to give people back the fully functional drivers by releasing the modded drivers, Creative threaten to sue
him for "stealing theirr goods".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/0..._k-who-fi.html
Last edited by icoola77; 29 Mar 2009 at 14:29. Reason: added links to articles
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