do i need a sound card?

[AT49ers]

Im building a gaming computer and was wondering if i need a sound card. If i do then can someone recommend one to me? Thanks!!

 

[voyagerfan99]

Onboard sound is pretty good. I only recommend getting a sound card if you're gonna get a high quality 5.1/7.1 sound setup.

 

[PhotonCrasher]

they are also quite useful if you have 2 sets of speakers, and want them both plugged in at once, depends on what ya do.

 

[Shane]

Like Voyager said,Today's on-board HD audio can be quite good,But i still don't think you can beat having a dedicated sound card.

If you want a cheap,But decent card an Xonar DSX is $38.99 after MIR.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132053

 

[AT49ers]

if i didn't have one would i not be able to use speakers? what about headphones?

 

[Shane]

if i didn't have one would i not be able to use speakers? what about headphones?

Of course you can,You will still have some sort of On board/Built in audio that you can hook your speakers/Headphones too.

What motherboard you going to use in your new build?

 

[AT49ers]

Of course you can,You will still have some sort of On board/Built in audio that you can hook your speakers/Headphones too.

What motherboard you going to use in your new build?

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77. why?

 

[Shane]

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77. why?

That board has "VIA Vinyl™ VT2021 - 10 channel HD Audio Codec"

Its totally up to you,If your happy with how the sound quality is then stick with the on board,If not you could get something like the Asus i posted above.

 

[WeatherMan]

Onboard sound is pretty good. I only recommend getting a sound card if you're gonna get a high quality sound setup.

Fixed

 

[G80FTW]

Sound cards were really more effective at reducing the load on the CPU by processing the audio. But with the CPUs today, that is no worry and as already stated most onboard audio is very good. I havent used a sound card since 2006 when I built my socket 939 setup. It didnt have the best onboard audio though.

There was at least back then, a major difference in SQ comparing onboard sound to a good sound card. Now Im not sure, the last and only sound card I had was a Creative Sound Blaster from 1998 and it supported EAX and 24-bit (which I still dont think is the standard, even though the quality is a ton better). That sound card was tons better in SQ than the onboard sound on my ASUS A8N-SLi motherboard which was the top of the line 939 motherboard of its time.

 

[Gun]

GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H LGA 1155 Intel Z77. why?

That's a great board with excellent sound quality . It's up to you but if you just want two little speakers or whatever, I doubt you'll need a sound card.