Creative Lab Sound Blaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer or Onboard Sound?

jonflaherty

Honorable
Mar 13, 2012
4
0
10,510
Howdy,
I recently bought a new computer to replace my 4-year old computer that stopped working. My old computer has a Creative Lab Sound Blaster X-Fi ExtremeGamer sound card in it. I didn't buy a new sound card with my new computer. The motherboard is a ASUS P9X79 LE Intel X79 Chipset. Also, I do use a headset (Sennheiser PC-350) sometimes. I also have some Klipsch THX speakers with subwoofer.
Will my old soundcard be better than onboard sound? Is it worth the hassel (and potential issues jacking in my headset) to use it?
Is there a compelling reason to buy a new soundcard altogether?
Thanks!
Jon

Other specs:

CAS: NZXT Switch 810 Hybrid Full Tower Gaming Case w/ Dual 140MM Pivot Fan Slots and Front USB 3.0 (Black Color [+0])
CD: LG 14X Internal Blu-ray Burner, BD-RE, DVD+RW, 3D Playback Combo Drive [+38] (Black Color)
COOLANT: Standard Coolant
CPU: Intel(R) Core™ i7-3820 Quad-Core 3.60 GHz 10MB Intel Smart Cache LGA2011 (All Venom OC Certified)
FAN: CyberPower Xtreme Hydro Liquid Cooling Kit 240MM w/ XSPC Rasa 750 RS240, Dual Fan(CPU & GPU Liquid Cool Capable, Extreme Overclocking Performance + Extreme Silent at 18dBA)(All Venom OC Certified)
HDD: 240GB Corsair Force GS Series SATA-III 6.0Gb/s SSD - 555MB/s Read & 525MB/s Write [+138] (240GB x 2 (480GB Capacity) Raid 0 Extreme Performance [+250])
HDD2: 2TB (2TBx1) SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 64MB Cache 7200RPM HDD [+112] (Single Drive)
IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
KEYBOARD: AZZA Multimedia USB Gaming Keyboard
MEMORY: 16GB (4GBx4) DDR3/1600MHz Quad Channel Memory (G.SKILL Ripjaws X [+19])
MOTHERBOARD: (3-Way SLI/CrossFireX Support) ASUS P9X79 LE Intel X79 Chipset Quad Channel DDR3 ATX w/ Remote GO!, 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, 3 Gen3 PCIe X16, 2 PCIe X1 & 1 PCI
MOUSE: Razer Black Naga Molten 5600 DPI USB Wired Laser Special Edition Gaming Mouse [+65]
NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
OS: Microsoft(R) Windows 8 Pro (64-bit Edition) [+31]
OVERCLOCK: Pro OC (Performance Overclock 10% or more)
POWERSUPPLY: * 1,000 Watts - Cooler Master Silent Pro M 80 Plus Power Supply
SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
USBX: NZXT Internal USB 6-PORT Expansion Module [+19]
VIDEO: AMD Radeon HD 7970 3GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card (Major Brand Powered by AMD)
VIDEO2: AMD Radeon HD 7970 3GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card (Major Brand Powered by AMD)
 
Solution
On board sound has come a long way and is good enough for most people when it comes to gaming. But the X-Fi is superior and I would recommend installing it if you have it already. I have the X-Fi Titanium in my build in my sig. There is a noticeable improvement in spatial sound when gaming over on board even when using 2.1 speakers or headphones.

clutchc

Titan
Ambassador
On board sound has come a long way and is good enough for most people when it comes to gaming. But the X-Fi is superior and I would recommend installing it if you have it already. I have the X-Fi Titanium in my build in my sig. There is a noticeable improvement in spatial sound when gaming over on board even when using 2.1 speakers or headphones.
 
Solution

hero1

Distinguished
May 9, 2012
841
0
19,060
Your old sound card is and will be way better compared to onboard sound cards. I couldn't stand the onboard sound card at all. Such poor sound came out of it so I went and grabbed the Creative SB Z. It's like day and night, I get much more clear, crisp and big sound like never before. My headset has literally improved 1000%. Keep your card and use it.