ASUS Xonar DGX vs Realtek 898

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
N

NinjaKolla

Honorable
Mar 28, 2012
25
0
10,530
I'm currently using Gigabyte G1 Sniper B5 motherboard which comes with Realtek ALC898 chip. If i upgrade to a DGX from Asus, will I get a noticeable difference? In terms of usage, I listen to a lot of music but mostly game.

Should I buy the sound card?
 
Solution
V
You are right about the amplifier on the motherboard. I checked the specification page before but it isn't mentioned there, only on the features page.
This suggests even more that you have a quality onboard audio solution.

The Sound Blaster Z looks very good.
I would suggest reading a detailed review just in case they found any issues.
Sort by date Sort by votes
V

VincentP

Splendid
Oct 18, 2013
4,105
1
26,965
The xonar DGX is a fairly low end sound card. The ALC898 is actually better.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Audio-Codec-Comparison-Table/520/2
http://www.asus.com/Sound_Cards_and_DigitaltoAnalog_Converters/Xonar_DGX/specifications/

I would really only consider a high end sound card if you have high end headphones and require an OP amp for these.
Keep in mind too
If you are looking at better sound cards:
Asus Xonar DX has better signal-to-noise ratio than the ALC898 and offers virtual surround sound, but no headphone amp.
Asus Xonar U7 is similar but with a headphone amplifier and an external unit with a volume control
Asus Xonar Essence STX is a whole other level of sound quality over these

None of these are cheap. You do have the best of onboard audio on your motherboard already.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Novuake

Novuake

Champion
Aug 27, 2011
14,308
0
56,960


You are right, which is the decent one then? DGS?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

VincentP

Splendid
Oct 18, 2013
4,105
1
26,965

I think the DGS is an old PCI model.
I've updated my post above with some better options.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

VincentP

Splendid
Oct 18, 2013
4,105
1
26,965


It's all the same. Creative make cheap rubbish sound cards and high end models. The cheap cards are not as good as decent onboard audio. The high end models are expensive. I think Asus are probably better value.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Novuake

Novuake

Champion
Aug 27, 2011
14,308
0
56,960


I will admit, the drivers(technically more the software) is a bit uhm, problematic.

But I don't really mix, i just use a preset and there you go.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

NinjaKolla

Honorable
Mar 28, 2012
25
0
10,530


I don't want to get an expensive card. The onboard audio sounds pretty ok to me, it also has an amp so its really loud even at 30% volume. But I was just wondering whether getting a dedicated card will have any benefit or it'll just sound the same.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
C

Cons29

Splendid
Feb 10, 2010
5,456
1
26,960
if you have sensitive ears (i don't, my eyes are more sensitive than my ears), yes maybe
or maybe save up a little more, you don't have to buy now.

or maybe get something else with your money since you are happy with built-in sound. get a mechanical keyboard, or a better mouse
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

VincentP

Splendid
Oct 18, 2013
4,105
1
26,965


Your onboard sound does not have a headphone amplifier, that doesn't mean it won't be loud enough.
Onboard audio is fine for most people.
High end sound cards offer better sound, but you don't always need the best.

Cheap sound cards are no better than most onboard audio, and sometimes worse.
The sound card manufacturers state great advantages over onboard sound, but they quote the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the onboard codec at 85 dB.
The codec on your motherboard has SNR of 110dB. This is really good.
My advice would be to stick with onboard sound.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
N

NinjaKolla

Honorable
Mar 28, 2012
25
0
10,530


Well in fact it does, My Gigabyte board comes with a pre-built op-amp on board and I drive my headphones through the rear amp'd port which is why they are pretty loud.

And thanks for your input, I think I'll stick with the onboard audio for now and if I feel like it, invest a bit more and get the Sound Blaster Z from Creative. Would you recommend this card?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
V

VincentP

Splendid
Oct 18, 2013
4,105
1
26,965
You are right about the amplifier on the motherboard. I checked the specification page before but it isn't mentioned there, only on the features page.
This suggests even more that you have a quality onboard audio solution.

The Sound Blaster Z looks very good.
I would suggest reading a detailed review just in case they found any issues.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom