ALC892 vs SB Z

klaatu · 30 Oct 2013 at 19:07

Would I see any improvement in sound quality through Logitech Z506 5.1 speakers if I installed something like a Sound Blaster Z, compared to the onboard ALC892 of my p8z68-v pro? This is for playing MP3 and gaming.

If not for sound quality's sake, does the onboard ALC892 audio use the CPU at all, so I would see improved CPU performance?

Steve

synixx · 31 Oct 2013 at 11:44

Should do if you use higher quality than 128kbps. For 256kbps or higher mp3's you should notice a difference. If you use headphones the difference will be much more substantial though because of the headphone amplifier. The ALC892 is the most common realtek chip on modern motherboards. It is not very high end but still sounds reasonable. The ALC 898 and ALC889A are the best I believe. With a CPU like the 2600k you won't really notice any drop in CPU performance. It was only back in the Pentium 4 days that it mattered much.

Marsman · 31 Oct 2013 at 12:44

From a sound quality aspect, it really depends if you are using digital connection (optical/coaxial) or analogue (3.5mm). If you are using digital, then the gubbins within the speakers are doing the audio processing, not the motherboard's audio; so a sound card will provide no gain. If you are using analogue though, then the ALC892 is doing the processing, in which case a sound card such as the SB Z, would be a good idea. ALC892 is not that great to be honest.

For gaming though, it may be a good idea to get a SB Z, regardless of how you connect to the speakers. The SB Z will be better for gaming sound effects and positioning.

InvisiblePrawn · 1 Nov 2013 at 10:13

I've just made almost exactly the same upgrade (my motherboard's only the V Gen 3 edition) and I'd definately reccomend it! As above, high quality music sounds much better and games sound deeper and more defined.

klaatu · 1 Nov 2013 at 13:00

Thanks for the replies. I just wondered whether it was worth it with the Z506's being low end. Maybe I'll go for the SB and then there's an excuse for upgrading the speakers later...

Steve

Marsman · 1 Nov 2013 at 13:11

I wouldn't say so. The Z is a midrange card, and if you go for the OEM, is good value at £53 or so. For 5.1 speakers, the Z906 are really the quality that should be paired with such a sound card. Some people use cheap 5.1 speakers with sound cards that cost more than the speakers do. Ideally, one should always spend more on the speakers, as it is they that recreate the sound. The best sound card in the world will sound rubbish, if the speakers are rubbish. Decent speakers will sound good even with a cheap sound card.

bigmac121 · 5 Nov 2013 at 19:25

Marsman said:
I wouldn't say so. The Z is a midrange card, and if you go for the OEM, is good value at £53 or so. For 5.1 speakers, the Z906 are really the quality that should be paired with such a sound card. Some people use cheap 5.1 speakers with sound cards that cost more than the speakers do. Ideally, one should always spend more on the speakers, as it is they that recreate the sound. The best sound card in the world will sound rubbish, if the speakers are rubbish. Decent speakers will sound good even with a cheap sound card.

I have the Z (not oem though) with z906 connected via digital and analog.
BF4 the sound is awesome. In fact every thing I throw at this combo was awesome!