Is this soundcard really going to make a difference over onboard sound?

ScarySquirrel · 3 Aug 2011 at 11:47

Hi all,

I've just built a new SandyBridge system, with an ASUS P8P67 Pro motherboard, currently using onboard sound.

I think the sound quality is awesome in games and from music as well through my Sennheisser HD555 headphones.

I wondered if it would be worth getting one of these as they're pretty cheap: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-012-AS&tool=3

Will it make much difference really?

Thanks

Auraomega · 3 Aug 2011 at 12:17

Absolutely, onboard sound has come a long way but it still pales in comparison to a dedicated soundcard, even one as cheap as the DG.

Ginger-Menace · 3 Aug 2011 at 12:21

i have same mobo and sound cARD made a huge difference

ray168 · 3 Aug 2011 at 12:47

I sold my mid/high range sound card to fund for upgrades on the computer and just used the onboard sound... using the same speakers the difference can definitely be noticed.

Haze · 3 Aug 2011 at 12:49

i use my onboard for gaming, then have a seperate card for music

Sin_Chase · 3 Aug 2011 at 13:40

Where are the biggest 'gains' to be had? Processing, components? Limited to analogue outputs or digital ones also?

Is there much interpretation in terms of processing done and if outputting in digital are there any discernible gains to be hard? (Digital output is usually a works or does not work affair no? Unlike analogue where interference and quality of components could have an effect on quality)

ScarySquirrel · 3 Aug 2011 at 13:50

So I'm guessing for £20 that ASUS DG one might be a good deal. I'm not a massive audiophile, but if for £20 I can make a noticeable difference then I may as well.

Is it just powered from the Motherboard or will other power be required?

Clum · 3 Aug 2011 at 14:57

I picked one up yesterday. like you I'm not an audiophile, and when listening to music/movies I seriously can't tell any difference over onboard, even when quickly switching between the two. Games though are a night/day difference. After firing up the witcher 2, I was hearing loads of new little things that had gone straight over my head with onboard. All the ambient noises like wildlife, and the crackling of fires are now much more vivid.

For 20 it definitely seems to be worth it so far. The only problem is that the 20 will turn into much more, as I'm now tempted by a really good quality set of headphones/speakers to make the most of it!

Sin_Chase · 3 Aug 2011 at 15:05

Clum said:
After firing up the witcher 2, I was hearing loads of new little things that had gone straight over my head with onboard. All the ambient noises like wildlife, and the crackling of fires are now much more vivid.

Result of soundcard or the built in amplification though? I had the same transition but I did not change soundcard, just put an amp in-between on-board and headphones.

Clum · 3 Aug 2011 at 15:12

I've always run sound out through a home cinema system so it probably won't be down to the amp. I've also got an old 24bit soundblaster external card, and the sound made by the xonar is very different to that in games as well.

Auraomega · 3 Aug 2011 at 15:18

Sin_Chase said:
Where are the biggest 'gains' to be had? Processing, components? Limited to analogue outputs or digital ones also?

Is there much interpretation in terms of processing done and if outputting in digital are there any discernible gains to be hard? (Digital output is usually a works or does not work affair no? Unlike analogue where interference and quality of components could have an effect on quality)

Onboard uses really cheap and nasty DACs and cheap caps, where as a sound card uses better quality ones and what you usually notice are: more balanced output, no/less clipping in the highs or lows, more separation between instruments in music/channels in movies and games, directional audio is better, more 'details' can be heard. Processing these days is a null point as any modern processor has enough power, I believe most sound cards don't even do the processing anymore per se, but instead just do the conversion.

If you're using digital then you won't see any benefit as the card will be doing naught (unless you enable Dolby Headphone). Digital output is no different to analogue in so much as the same conversions are happening and the audio quality is determined by the receiver, so basically you're moving the conversion to a later stage, usually away from the computer which is electrically noisy.

The amp of the DG is ok, it's nothing amazing but at £20 you really shouldn't be expecting it, it's a useful addition but by no means a replacement to a proper headphone amp.

PapaLazaru · 3 Aug 2011 at 15:19

The ASUS DG is by FAR superior to the onboard I was using on my ASUS Crosshair IV.

That is all you need to know.

ScarySquirrel · 3 Aug 2011 at 15:31

Well, for £20 I may as well take a punt then. Thanks all.

Sin_Chase · 3 Aug 2011 at 15:44

Auraomega said:
Onboard uses really cheap and nasty DACs and cheap caps, where as a sound card uses better quality ones and what you usually notice are: more balanced output, no/less clipping in the highs or lows, more separation between instruments in music/channels in movies and games, directional audio is better, more 'details' can be heard. Processing these days is a null point as any modern processor has enough power, I believe most sound cards don't even do the processing anymore per se, but instead just do the conversion.

If you're using digital then you won't see any benefit as the card will be doing naught (unless you enable Dolby Headphone). Digital output is no different to analogue in so much as the same conversions are happening and the audio quality is determined by the receiver, so basically you're moving the conversion to a later stage, usually away from the computer which is electrically noisy.

The amp of the DG is ok, it's nothing amazing but at £20 you really shouldn't be expecting it, it's a useful addition but by no means a replacement to a proper headphone amp.

Cool, cheers for the info. Pointless exercise for me then as I am moving sound out of the PC optically to be worked with on my amp.

iostream · 3 Aug 2011 at 20:01

Haze said:
i use my onboard for gaming, then have a seperate card for music

Haze can I ask why you don't run your games through your sound card?

SlugForAButt · 4 Aug 2011 at 01:21

Take a chance on a Xonar DG and some Goldring DR50s. It'll only cost you a shade over £40 for the pair and you'll be mighty glad you did.
TBH I came from a X-Fi and I can't tell the difference.

laptop1967 · 4 Aug 2011 at 01:37

SlugForAButt said:
Take a chance on a Xonar DG and some Goldring DR50s. It'll only cost you a shade over £40 for the pair and you'll be mighty glad you did.
TBH I came from a X-Fi and I can't tell the difference.

ive got a an Xfi titanium fatality pro, and on a new build in a couple of months time, i was thinking of getting the Asus Xonar Essence ST, are you saying there's no difference, i've read music sounds better on the Xonar!.

SlugForAButt · 4 Aug 2011 at 01:50

All I'm saying is that I cant tell the difference.
I'm no audiophile, but my Hendrix, Led Zep, Motorhead, Albinoni etc sound just as good to me on my Xonar DG as they did on my Xtreme Gamer with the added bonus of the DG being great for my headphones.

laptop1967 · 4 Aug 2011 at 02:13

SlugForAButt said:
All I'm saying is that I cant tell the difference.
I'm no audiophile, but my Hendrix, Led Zep, Motorhead, Albinoni etc sound just as good to me on my Xonar DG as they did on my Xtreme Gamer with the added bonus of the DG being great for my headphones.

yea i play all the rock and metal stuff, do you play flac and CD's on your system or is it mp3's and itunes stuff, i'm not saying your wrong m8, just finding out if it's worth buying or not!.

SlugForAButt · 4 Aug 2011 at 02:28

To be fair, I don't play FLAC files and I've also probably got two left ears.