Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Sound Cards > [Solved] Sound Card - On the Board or Separate Card?

[Solved] Sound Card - On the Board or Separate Card?

Forum CPU & Components : Sound Cards - [Solved] Sound Card - On the Board or Separate Card?

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Best answer from geofelt.

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randylaw   11-07-2009 at 06:12:33 PM

Currently pricing a new system based on the I-7 920 cpu. Trying to decide if a sound card is worth the $100 or so extra over sound on the MB. Any thoughts?

Thanks

Randy

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Best answer from geofelt

tortnotes wrote :

Onboard sound is actually pretty good with X58 motherboards... The question is, is the difference between very good and great worth $100?


Try onboard first, you will probably be fine. You can always add a sound card later.
I tried an add on card once and could not tell the difference. Tin ears perhaps...

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outlw6669   11-07-2009 at 07:41:51 PM

If you care about the quality of you audio, yes it very much is worth it.
Just do your self a favor and avoid any Creative products....
For an excellent quality value card, I would highly recommend either the ASUS Xonar Dx (PCIe) or Xonar D1 (PCI).
Both offer exceptional sound quality, especially considering the price.

------------------------------ If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce today would cost $100, get a million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.
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tortnotes   11-07-2009 at 09:37:59 PM

Onboard sound is actually pretty good with X58 motherboards... The question is, is the difference between very good and great worth $100?

Message quoted 2 times
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geofelt   11-07-2009 at 09:49:11 PM
Best answer

tortnotes wrote :

Onboard sound is actually pretty good with X58 motherboards... The question is, is the difference between very good and great worth $100?


Try onboard first, you will probably be fine. You can always add a sound card later.
I tried an add on card once and could not tell the difference. Tin ears perhaps...

Reply to geofelt
ak47carbine   11-07-2009 at 11:53:05 PM


high end sound cards can provide more crisp, clear, and bass sound to your music,games,movies.. believe me i had compared them.

Reply to ak47carbine
Onyx2291   11-08-2009 at 12:15:53 AM

It's honestly really hard to tell without testing them all. I had a $15 headset which I used for a year and thought it was fine.

When I upgraded to an $80 one it's amazing. Not saying there will be a difference, or if you will notice a difference, but it's hard to know unless you test because everyone has different ears.

Reply to Onyx2291
redgarl   11-08-2009 at 03:45:03 AM

Well, I have tried the HT Omega Striker, and I can tell you it deliver. The price is nice and the sound quality is awesome. 10 bands equalizer included for the sound that you research. This thing is ideal for music, videos and gaming. If I remember well, EAX is also supported. A nice 7.1 dolby compatible soundcard.

For 70$ it's a steal.

Reply to redgarl
redgarl   11-08-2009 at 03:50:09 AM

tortnotes wrote :

Onboard sound is actually pretty good with X58 motherboards... The question is, is the difference between very good and great worth $100?

It will never be able to match a DSP emulating your sound. Sound cards are as important than video cards. If you can spend useless money on a LGA1366 board, you can spend 80$ on a high end dolby sound card for making your PC the perfect HTPC.

 

The difference in quality isn't even close. You can adjust every bands of sound to get the sound you want. Onboard sound don't do that.

 



Message edited by redgarl on 11-08-2009 at 03:53:26 AM
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ak47carbine   11-08-2009 at 07:04:05 AM


ok if you only have headset onboard is fine.. and if you have best speakers then sound card is just for you...

Reply to ak47carbine
maxima120   11-08-2009 at 05:04:37 PM

Oi dont start on that! :)

I have quite a few sennheisers and even the cheap one sounds better than most of speakers..

Reply to maxima120
ohiou_grad_06   11-08-2009 at 07:26:25 PM

I would just try the onboard first when you get it, if you like it, chalk it up as $$ saved and be happy. If it's not to your liking, get an add on card. But I know on my board, it is supposed to be 7.1 hi def sound. Don't ask me how true that is, but seems fine for what I do.

Reply to ohiou_grad_06
randylaw   11-08-2009 at 07:47:47 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I've decided to save a few bucks and go with the onboard sound. As has been suggested twice, I can always upgrade later if not satisfied. Also, thanks for the alternatives to Creative. I have always used Creative's cards in the past and have had no trouble, but its been 5 - 6 years since I've purchased one.

Thanks again

Reply to randylaw
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