Onboard vs Dedicated Audio

I, too, have logitech x-530's and I love them with my audigy 2 zs sound card. Honestly, I do like my soundcard's options to change all sorts of settings on my setup to get different sounds. I would probably go for a card if I were to build a new rig now. However, I don't think I would go for anything super super expensive. I'd just spend around $100 or less for a decent card.

I haven't really heard bad things about onboard audio. I have never used mine to compare the difference, but I do not think that my onboard audio has the ability to change all the settings like my card does.

SizroSpunkmire

Generally speaking: most dedicated soundcards will almost always perform better (both CPU wise and sound quality wise) because there is more hardware devoted for the task at hand (I.E.: producing sound). Comparably: a dedicated sound card has many chips and transistors to create sound, whereas many of the integrated on-board solutions have only 1 chip, few transistors, and often rely on software emulation to produce sound. This causes CPU load and can also degrade the sound experience (and even cause the sound to "stutter" ).

but on the other hand I don't use a sound cards and I only have used onboard sound for the last 10 years.it's good enough for me,and also they have improved onboard sound over the years.hope this helps you out

These days on board sound is really good, but I still think there is a slight edge for buying a sound card as far as quality and performance.

The first sound card I bought was the original Audigy and I have to say at the time VS built in, the quality was amazing.

Discrete sound cards win hands down for gaming, music and output versatility.
Tell your ego fevered onboard loving friend:

Sound cards DO output a higher quality "cleaner" sound, but it's really hard to tell the difference.
The main advantages of a soud card are:
A Miriad of options to tweak to get the best out of your speakers
Offliading work from the CPU to the sound card (at most 3~5% CPU usage)
Lots of connection options (input and output)
e-penis size boost.

Sound cards are probably just a gimmick nowadays unless you're making a studio.

Depends mostly upon the quality of your speakers. If using average computer speakers such as the Logitech z5500/x530 the difference between onboard and discrete will be minimal. However if using higher quality stereo speakers or a home theatre setup (Using proper amplifiers and speakers) then the difference between onboard and discrete is much larger as the speakers can actually show the differences in quality.

So basically - if you're using cheap computer speakers there's no difference, if you're using proper stereo gear, the more high end you go, the bigger the difference between onboard and discrete.

This thread will make things clearer:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] ound-sound

To add my 2c...

I am a bedroom DJ. My onboard sound uses ALC888. As a DJ, I occasionally need 2 stereo inputs and 2 separate stereo outputs (one for master, one for cue/pre-listening) plus low latencies.

For this purpose, I use a Native Instruments Audio 4 DJ external USB audio interface which, according to some respected audio professionals, has pretty decent-quality output and uses high-quality Cirrus Logic AD/DA converters (this thing is $200 and doesn't even support more than 2 times 2.0 output). It turns out I also have KRK Rokit VXT 8 (2nd generation) studio monitors which run $1000+ for a pair.

So loudspeaker-wise my equipment is pretty high quality. Nevertheless, I CANNOT hear the difference between onboard ALC 888 audio and the Audio 4 DJ. Dedicated audio might give you additional *features* (multiple stereo in/outs and lower latency in my case) but I think you a WON'T hear a difference in sound *quality*.

Even claims that external sound cards are better than internal ones are dubious. I thought differently myself until recently but it appears that, nowadays, even professionals say that EMI/RFI is not an issue anymore on internal PCI/PCIx or even onboard sound.

EDIT: sick bump, ^^, I didn't realize LOL

If your not a gamer the newer realteks are probably good enough. A few notes from people that purchased the new SB X-FI gamer card.

Pros: HD audio hook-up for front panels on cases that support it like mine. The sould quality destroys my integrated audio chip. Realtek on a P35 Gigabyte board if you care to know. Really smoothed out audio issues in COD4 like studder when attacked by dogs. Bioshock sounds fantastic with headphones. I really like the fact I can use the front panel headder audio out now. Cheaper than the department store.

Pros: Amazing card. Huge upgrade over Realtek HD integrated mobo audio. Crystal clear music, movies, and games. Vista 32 recognized the card and automatically installed drivers via windows device manager with no problems. Also can connect to the front audio ports on your case.

Yes many things have been beaten to death when it comes to PC discussions.
You would think there would be no discussions about anything.

One thing you did not take into consideration. The speed at which this technology moves.

Video cards today are not the same as 1 year ago. Prices, heat, power etc all change on a monthly basis.

It was once thought that separate sounds destroyed built in. Maybe that is not the cases anymore. One should not get set in their ways when it comes to PC hardware. All things change and unfortunately this mean rehashing what on the surface appears to be the same old song and dance.

Its only flame bate if you want it to be.