why would i want to consider a sound card???

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giantbucket

giantbucket

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Nov 17, 2013
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so, new build, I obviously have the CPU and graphics and even extra SATA card, but I'm expecting to just use onboard audio.

or should I not?

last time I purchased a sound card for my computer was about 15 years ago. what would be the point or benefit of buying a $35 or even $70 sound card if I watch movies, youtube, and listen to my catalogue of MP3s (ripped from my own CDs)?

OR - should I just use the onboard's optical digital output to a receiver and then feed the speakers? the receiver I have is a Sony ES-series, so the quality is good but it's rather large for just feeding two speakers.

thoughts?

-- edit

I also have a pair of powered speakers with XLR and 1/4" inputs, which I might use.


-- edit 2
oh yeah, the mobo is a GA-990FXA-UD3, if that matter much. I'd only have one PCIe-x4 slot available and one PCIe-x1 slot, the rest are already used and/or blocked by graphics cards
 
Solution
lp231
Using onboard or dedicated sound card is all based on personal preference. Some will always think dedicated audio will be better than onboard, even though onboard has improved a lot over the years.
Another thing with dedicated sound card is some have its own audio processor, therefore it won't have to share CPU resources.
Also with less and less users getting dedicated sound cards, there isn't that much choices these days.
I've was using my X-Fi Xtreme Music, until the PCI slots on my board has problems, so I have to use onboard audio.
The onboard audio really isn't onboard in my case, but it's a dedicated sound card bundle with my Asus board. They call is Supreme FX II and it runs on PCIe x1. The sound quality of that is okay, but...
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Supahos

Supahos

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Nov 11, 2013
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I've built 15 computers in the last 3 years 1 had a sound card that I put maybe $60 in, It was better than some of the cheaper build's onboard sound but I honestly couldn't tell a difference between it and any of the higher end builds. I wouldn't ever spend money on one unless I was a computer based composer or something on that magnitude.
 
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lp231

lp231

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Mar 24, 2006
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Using onboard or dedicated sound card is all based on personal preference. Some will always think dedicated audio will be better than onboard, even though onboard has improved a lot over the years.
Another thing with dedicated sound card is some have its own audio processor, therefore it won't have to share CPU resources.
Also with less and less users getting dedicated sound cards, there isn't that much choices these days.
I've was using my X-Fi Xtreme Music, until the PCI slots on my board has problems, so I have to use onboard audio.
The onboard audio really isn't onboard in my case, but it's a dedicated sound card bundle with my Asus board. They call is Supreme FX II and it runs on PCIe x1. The sound quality of that is okay, but it's not as good as the X-Fi.
I might grab another sound card, either this or whatever is newer, when I do my upgrade.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102049




 
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