Should I buy a newer sound card?

blonkster · 21 Sep 2011 at 09:57

I've just built a new system around an MSI z68a-gd80 and the onboard sound initially sounded OK.

However,after further testing its now a bit crackly and not brilliant.

I have an Audigy pro 4 to put in, but wondered if a newer Xonar card would be a better option in Windows 7 64-bit.

I'd like ot be able to use the front panel audio too, which I don;t think I can do with the audigy 4 (I don't want to use the break-out box).

Is there a suitable card for about £50-75?

thanks

Blonkster

Ciff1 · 21 Sep 2011 at 10:07

I have this card http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-002-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=

Runs on 64 bit win 7 no problems really nice sound for price better than the xfi etreme gamer card in my old rig. Also on special this week. Not sure if you can use with your front panel though?

blonkster · 21 Sep 2011 at 13:01

Ciff1 said:
I have this card http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-002-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=

Runs on 64 bit win 7 no problems really nice sound for price better than the xfi etreme gamer card in my old rig. Also on special this week. Not sure if you can use with your front panel though?

Thanks, I'll check out the reviews. I've only ever put a GPU in a PCI-E slot. I assume this will fit in a full length slot, as well as the shorter ones i.e. the bottom slot in my Z68a-gd80?

Ciff1 · 21 Sep 2011 at 13:08

Yes, i have mine in bottom slot of my x58 ud3r because both my short slots are blocked by my mobo heatsinks and dual slot gpu. Any pci-e slot doesn't matter what speed.

blonkster · 21 Sep 2011 at 13:20

Ciff1 said:
Yes, i have mine in bottom slot of my x58 ud3r because both my short slots are blocked by my mobo heatsinks and dual slot gpu. Any pci-e slot doesn't matter what speed.

I see, thanks. So the 'X' versions of their cards are PCI-E, and the ones without are PCI?

Is the DX2 much better than the D2, are they both better than an Audigy 4 pro?

Ciff1 · 21 Sep 2011 at 13:27

Only difference is pci and pci-e, check sn-r against your card higher is better quality. Neither use a front panel with ports though.Checkout customer reviews.I would say that the top asus card is more like your old card for features but out of your price range. xonar dx and d2x slightly better sn-r than your card but not by much, just works with win 7 64bit nicely.

Tealc · 21 Sep 2011 at 13:39

Not sure about Audigy 4 but I had nothing but issues with drivers for my Audigy 2 ZS when I came up to W7 64 bit with crackles and pops along with severe microphone issues. I got the Xonar DX and it's really nice.

blonkster · 21 Sep 2011 at 13:42

Ciff1 said:
Only difference is pci and pci-e, check sn-r against your card higher is better quality. Neither use a front panel with ports though.Checkout customer reviews.I would say that the top asus card is more like your old card for features but out of your price range. xonar dx and d2x slightly better sn-r than your card but not by much, just works with win 7 64bit nicely.

thanks, I don;t need features, just good sound for music and games. I won't be plugging anything exotic into or out of it.

Ciff1 · 21 Sep 2011 at 14:09

In that case xonar dx or d2x up to you and your wallet, also pci or pci-e really.Both great sounding through quality headsets or speakers.

blonkster · 21 Sep 2011 at 14:34

Ciff1 said:
In that case xonar dx or d2x up to you and your wallet, also pci or pci-e really.Both great sounding through quality headsets or speakers.

The Dx looks the favourite, as it has a front panel connector, which may be useful.

It looks like it also needs a floppy power supply, does it come with a molex to floppy converter?

Ciff1 · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:48

Yes, has lead which connects to card with molex on if i remember right. Will double check when i get home.

blonkster · 21 Sep 2011 at 15:58

Ciff1 said:
Yes, has lead which connects to card with molex on if i remember right. Will double check when i get home.

Don't worry, I've just ordered one anyway ;-)

Ciff1 · 21 Sep 2011 at 16:06

You will need a floppy power cable from your psu, not in the box. Hope you enjoy card.

blonkster · 21 Sep 2011 at 20:31

****!

That's £60 I could have saved!

I downloaded DPC Latency checker to see why the sound was popping. It showed bad red graphs :-(

I disabled all devices possible with no change until I got to the Marvel 6GB SATA controller, when it dropped for a moment. I then uninstalled the Marvel software (Apache?) and the graphs are now a healthy green and the sound is great!

There isn't a huge amount of bass, so I guess the Xonar will be a good move anyhow, but the onboard sound is surprisingly OK.

I'll post back when I have the card in tomorrow, but its a good 'heads up' in case anyone else has similar issues. Is there somewhere I should post my finding to help others?