HD Onboard Audio VS Soundcards

StarSolitude · 2 Oct 2009 at 23:31

I've never had a soundcard, so I don't know what to expect of them really... I'm going to be buying a 5.1 surround sound speaker system, for £45. And I'm looking at this sound card:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-006-AS&tool=3

But, the motherboard I've chosen ( http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-159-GI ) has HD Audio inbuilt.

So what I'm trying to ask is, do I NEED a soundcard? Would a soundcard really offer a noticable improvement? I'm not going to spend over £40 on a soundcard, so it has to be this one if i get one.

Again, that soundcard vs HD Audio on an X58 MOBO. Worth getting?

dmxdex2020 · 2 Oct 2009 at 23:35

What are you looking to have dolby or DTS? there is a huge difference from onboard to a decent sound card like the asus xonar, their drivers are very poor right now though, windows 7 full driver is not out till the end of this month.

StarSolitude · 2 Oct 2009 at 23:39

Dolby or DTS? I dunno what they are...

I will just be gaming, and watching movies. =\

Uriel · 2 Oct 2009 at 23:45

For £45 for speakers I wouldn't expect either Dolby or DTS (which are digital connections). I'd expect analogue connection.

The Xonar DS will give some improved effects over onboard in some EAX games. Sound quality is better but I doubt you'll notice it much on £45 5.1 speakers.

You might want to think about looking out for a 2nd hand X-Fi Xtreme Music or Xtreme Gamer. They would give some additional effects in games and should come in under budget.

dmxdex2020 · 2 Oct 2009 at 23:47

dolby digital mate its proberly your best bet for gaming in surround and its good for movies in surround. you will need to check you 5.1 setup to see if it is dolby digital certified or DTS. I am not the best person to ask, a guy called uriel is brilliant at helping and will at some point see your post and give you an essay which will help you. i have the motherboard you are getting sound is average nothing special onboard sound is rubbbish at the end of the day a decent sound card always wins.

Uriel · 2 Oct 2009 at 23:51

^^^
[/POSTINGNINJA]

dmxdex2020 · 2 Oct 2009 at 23:55

Uriel said:
^^^
[/POSTINGNINJA]

See i epic failed time to hand it over to someone who knows what he is on about hehe.

StarSolitude · 2 Oct 2009 at 23:58

Thanks for the help guys! Know where I can get second hand PC components except ebay?

dmxdex2020 · 3 Oct 2009 at 00:00

If you want a dolby digital sound card then get this card as its a beast for the price.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-002-AS

Check you 5.1 set up to see if it is dolby.

StarSolitude · 3 Oct 2009 at 00:13

This is what I'll get: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-071-LG

No, it says nothing about Dolby or DTS.

I am already over budget on my new PC, so I don't want to spend any more than this on speakers... Ah well!

Still, those speakers with this soundcard should be better than the onboard audio and headphones I'm used to, right? ^^

dmxdex2020 · 3 Oct 2009 at 00:23

Im not sure if that DS will get the most out of those speakers mate, like i said i am not the best person to ask uriel is.

Uriel · 3 Oct 2009 at 00:32

DS will be OK.

Like I said, you might do better for the budget with a second hand X-fi (of the type mentioned earlier) for games.

If you were using headphones I might recommend differently but you've not mentioned them.

Tobes · 3 Oct 2009 at 14:10

for £45 speakers I wouldn't even bother with a soundcard. I would just use the onboard audio.

james.miller · 3 Oct 2009 at 19:24

Tobes said:
for £45 speakers I wouldn't even bother with a soundcard. I would just use the onboard audio.

to be honest i'm thinking the same lol

Uriel · 4 Oct 2009 at 14:58

For gaming I would bother with a soundcard.

For music listening and films - naah...

Monkeynut · 4 Oct 2009 at 15:59

With cheap speakers the onboard will suffice.

Braka · 6 Oct 2009 at 00:19

mabe with the suggestions of not buying a sound card u can get better speakers with the extra budget?

Admetos · 10 Oct 2009 at 22:55

I have mixed views on mother board built in sound.

On an old Intel P4 board sound was good (could live with it). On a Core 2 Gigabyte board it was poor (low signal to noise). Have one of the new I5 gigabyte boards but not tried this yet.

Anyhow have a soundblaster music extream and that best i've had. In terms of sound quality it's the only card that beat my old Gravis Ultrasnd (i'm talking pure hi-fi quality, not onboard processor etc) - theres a name you not hear in long time!

Toastor · 11 Oct 2009 at 12:23

Heh, I had a Gravis Ultrasound. A totally wonderful card and way ahead of its time. The 3D positional effect was excellent. Such a shame the Sound Blaster emulation was dodgy. Ahhhh, warm fuzzy memories..

Admetos · 11 Oct 2009 at 15:23

Toastor said:
Heh, I had a Gravis Ultrasound. A totally wonderful card and way ahead of its time. The 3D positional effect was excellent. Such a shame the Sound Blaster emulation was dodgy. Ahhhh, warm fuzzy memories..

It will be the next sound standard I tell thee, just got to sort those Windows 95 drivers out, and the soundblaster emulation! I ran also a 8bit soundblaster just for compatibility.

Shame however, years ahead of it's time. Doom with full midi, amazing for time.