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Axle916   03-07-2008 at 08:32:00 PM

I putting together a new game machine do you guys use the integrated sound provided by MB? I have always use a sound card, wondered what the norm is now.

Thanks

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Maximus_Delta   03-09-2008 at 10:28:30 AM
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Integrated sound is the norm now... quality is absolutely acceptable.

Think some still prefer separate sound cards on high end rigs for the absolute best in quality and an extra couple of frames per second (believe you do get a very slight performance boost with a separate sound card).

------------------------------ Intel E6750 @ 3.20Ghz | Asus PK5-E | 2 x 1GB Corsair XMS2 PC-6400 | XFX GeForce 8800GT | 2 x WD 320GB in RAID 0 + 1 x WD 500GB | Corsair VX550W | NZXT Adamas | Acer X222W | ORTHOS Stable (8hrs 'Small FFTs' / 24hrs 'Blend')
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infornography42   03-09-2008 at 12:18:26 PM
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Depends. Do you have a real nice 5.1 system for your PC or do you usually use a headset?

Unless you have a really top rate sound system, integrated sound on a high end motherboard is all you need and you probably wouldn't notice the difference otherwise.

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emp   03-09-2008 at 02:48:31 PM
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Well I used to be against sound cards, but earlier this year I bought an X-Fi XtremeGamer ($80) and believe me, I'm not going back onboard audio. It is definitely a nice thing to have, however not necessary.

------------------------------ Anxiously awaiting the Hydra 100 and the Hydra Engine...
www.lucidlogix.com
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annisman   03-10-2008 at 05:51:32 AM
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I have an X-FI Fatality Pro, and I refuse to use the SLI feature on my mobo ( even tho I want to get a second g. card) Because i love my sound card too much to ditch it for a second vid card.

------------------------------ Core i7 920 @ 4.0Ghz - Asus P6T - 12GB Corsair XMS 3 - 2X ATI 58701GB Crossfire- Zalman 850W - X-FI Fatality Gamer Pro - Xigmatek Thor's Hammer - Raptor X 150 - WD Black 1TB - Super Talent 32GB SSD - Cosmos S Case w/side window + 8X 120mm fans - BD Rom Dr
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jtstepan   03-18-2008 at 04:52:08 PM
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A decent ($75+) discrete sound card will usually provide much cleaner sound due to higher quality DACs providing superior SNR that is rarely achievable on the main motherboard PCB.

In the pre-Vista world, sound cards like the X-Fi series had the advantage of offloading sound processing and performing 3D environmental audio via EAX. Mainly argued it was one of the best bang for your buck upgrades possible.

That said, motherboard board sound can be decent. For current gen Realtek CODECs, the ALC889 and ALC890 series are tolerable. Don't venture lower than that.

------------------------------ Intel Q9450 | Gigabyte GA-P35-DS4 | 4GB XMS2 PC6400 | Corsair HX520 | EVGA 8800GTS 512M | X-Fi XtremeGamer | ST3500320AS | WD5000AKKS | 2x SATA DVDRW
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