Can I use HD audio?

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 27 Nov 2008 at 02:12

Ok I have been using a Creative Audigy 2 ZS for years now.

I have two options on my motherboard.
HD audio
AC97

Which can I use?
It will be connected to a 10yr old technics amp

just Scott · 27 Nov 2008 at 02:29

Your Audigy will sound miles better than your motherboards onboard sound.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 27 Nov 2008 at 02:39

H2F Scott said:
Your Audigy will sound miles better than your motherboards onboard sound.

dispite how old it is? the cards about 5 years old or something

just Scott · 27 Nov 2008 at 03:19

Fstop11 said:
dispite how old it is? the cards about 5 years old or something

Yeah. My god knows how old Audigy SE sounds twice as good as my 1-2 year old Gigabyte motherboard's onboard audio.

Snograt · 27 Nov 2008 at 04:33

I'd say give the onboard HD a try. It's a hell of a lot better than that which was available 2 years ago and will certainly give your Audigy a run for its money.

Incidentally, I'm one of the many who gave up on the Vista + X-Fi situation. Onboard Azalea all the way :/

Margaret · 27 Nov 2008 at 10:14

My Audigy SE sounded practically the same as my Realtek onboard, went back to the Realtek because of how basic the Creative drivers are under Vista x64.

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 27 Nov 2008 at 10:26

I cant get any audio to come out of the ports?
Do I need special hardware to use HD audio?
Just using a regular jack

bledd · 27 Nov 2008 at 10:48

is it..

enabled in bios
drivers installed
set as default sound device in windows

some motherboards have perfect realtek hd, wheras others have interference (also with realtek hd)

it's hit & miss imo

Johnny|lucidcomposure · 27 Nov 2008 at 10:58

bledd. said:
is it..

enabled in bios
drivers installed
set as default sound device in windows

some motherboards have perfect realtek hd, wheras others have interference (also with realtek hd)

it's hit & miss imo

I could not get any output at all regardless of selecting HD audio or AC97 from the bios. How strange.. Had to stick the creative card back in now

bledd · 27 Nov 2008 at 13:14

had you installed latest drivers? and used the realtek control panel to set it? (aswell as the windows one)

Aod · 27 Nov 2008 at 13:22

my Gigabyte mobo has an "HD-Audio" header on the board but i've never managed to get it to do anything.

wolvers · 27 Nov 2008 at 13:30

Fstop11 said:
selecting HD audio or AC97 from the bios

That'll be the option for the front panel type.

You need to find the onboard sound option and make sure it's enabled.

just Scott · 27 Nov 2008 at 14:44

Margaret said:
My Audigy SE sounded practically the same as my Realtek onboard, went back to the Realtek because of how basic the Creative drivers are under Vista x64.

Really? I guess it was because my headphones at the time (Denon AH-D2000) were very sensitive to source changes. But the difference was huge when I went from Realtek onboard audio to an Audigy SE that I found lying around somewhere.