Should I get a sound card? Or use onboard?

Which way should I go?

  • Yes, Use the OnBoard sound.

    Votes: 7 41.2%

  • No, Spend the extra $90 for the XtreamGamer card

    Votes: 8 47.1%

  • Other (Please specify in a post)

    Votes: 2 11.8%
  • Total voters
    17
I honestly would buy the sound card. I have had lots of issues lately with my P35 onboard sound with severe cracking/popping when playing games, it usually happens when there is a lot of audio activity such as in a large gunfight and with people talking. You will be glad you got it!
 
Well I use a combonation of my headset and my stereo. It's a Philips 330 WATT (I love it :P) For only 330 WATTS it sure puts out a lot of bass, it has 3 special "Max Ports" on each speaker, plus 3 2" fluid tweeters and then the actual sub (looks like maybe a 6", or 6 1/2)

But it connects threw a USB PC port that runs from the stereo straight to a USB on the computer. So I dont really have to have 5.1 or 7.1 at the moment, but eventually I will get a surround sound system.

Thanks for the imput guys :)
 
I haven't tried any sound cards, BUT I have seen quite a few posts about how AC97 sound sucked, but the new HD audio chipsets are fine and are mostly indistinguishable from a sound card in terms of quality. So I would say stick with onboard since you're using a newish mobo.
 
oregon said:
I haven't tried any sound cards, BUT I have seen quite a few posts about how AC97 sound sucked, but the new HD audio chipsets are fine and are mostly indistinguishable from a sound card in terms of quality. So I would say stick with onboard since you're using a newish mobo.
Click to expand...

I think it also depends on the codec, cause my HD audio BLEW compared to my x-fi.
 
I would go for the card if i were you. For some reason, i can't get Audacity to work with my onboard realtek hd.
 
I have a X-Fi sound card, but I moved it to my server and in my main rig I use a digital TOSLINK connection from my motherboard to my home stereo receiver. I get incredible sound that I can route thru the entire house when playing MP3's, and I did away with the hassles of sound card drivers.

If you use your headphones a lot, I doubt that you would be able to hear the difference anyway. Save the money and use it towards a better motehrboard.
 
I would use a sound card if I would have surround speakers (like 5.1 or 7.1), but now I have the built-in Realtek '97 card in the motherboard and it works just fine for me. I don't usually play music at very high volumes (or maybe just with my headphones :D). I have A4Tech stereo speakers with 100 W, but I don't need more. I like them because if I wouldn't have these speakers the headphones' maximum volume would be much lower.
And I mostly use the headphones: they have pretty nice bass and very good sound.
 
vix said:
I have a X-Fi sound card, but I moved it to my server and in my main rig I use a digital TOSLINK connection from my motherboard to my home stereo receiver. I get incredible sound that I can route thru the entire house when playing MP3's, and I did away with the hassles of sound card drivers.

If you use your headphones a lot, I doubt that you would be able to hear the difference anyway. Save the money and use it towards a better motehrboard.
Click to expand...
The X-Fi still processes the optical out IIRC from when I looked into the X-Fi. I get extremely bad popping/cracking noises from my receiver when it's hooked up to the onboard digital output, mainly when there are lots of noises from a game.
 
vix said:
I have a X-Fi sound card, but I moved it to my server and in my main rig I use a digital TOSLINK connection from my motherboard to my home stereo receiver. I get incredible sound that I can route thru the entire house when playing MP3's, and I did away with the hassles of sound card drivers.

If you use your headphones a lot, I doubt that you would be able to hear the difference anyway. Save the money and use it towards a better motehrboard.
Click to expand...

chibicitiberiu said:
I would use a sound card if I would have surround speakers (like 5.1 or 7.1), but now I have the built-in Realtek '97 card in the motherboard and it works just fine for me. I don't usually play music at very high volumes (or maybe just with my headphones :D). I have A4Tech stereo speakers with 100 W, but I don't need more. I like them because if I wouldn't have these speakers the headphones' maximum volume would be much lower.
And I mostly use the headphones: they have pretty nice bass and very good sound.
Click to expand...

Wow really guys? X-fi makes headphones sound phenomenal. That's one of the main reasons I like my X-fi so much! Sure it makes normal speakers sound better, but it makes headphones sound A LOT better.
 
try the onboard sound first, if you don't like it, you can always go out and buy a soundcard, if you find out you don't like the onboard
 
I voted wrong...Sorry...

I have no problems with my HD onboard sound, the one on that board is probably better than mine anyways, so why not save the $90? If you really aren't satisfied with onboard sound then go the dedicated route but give it a chance first.
 
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