Motherboard on board audio vs Sound card

Geo-Gamer · 10 Sep 2014 at 11:17

Hi guys!

Currently building a new pc and I chosen the follow motherboard:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-491-GI

which comes with Realtek ALC1150 which I know nothing about

However, I am thinking of buying a sound card but I dont know what one I will need to make a difference?

Surely buying the sound card bellow will not make a difference as my mobo on board audio is better.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-020-AS

So the question is what sound card will you guys recommend best bang for buck and that will make a difference to my mobo?

Thanks in advance!

TwsT · 10 Sep 2014 at 11:34

alc1150 is the standard dac chip used on most motherboards. including the new x99 deluxe from asus.

nothing wrong with the DS at all but you would need a headphone amp if you have nice headphones.

If you don't need a headphone amp then DS D1 D2X are all great options. If you need a headphone amp then it's pheobus or STX on the asus side and Z/ZX/ZXR

Enigma80 · 10 Sep 2014 at 11:50

Geo-Gamer said:
Surely buying the sound card bellow will not make a difference as my mobo on board audio is better.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-020-AS

How so?

Geo-Gamer · 10 Sep 2014 at 12:18

TwsT said:
alc1150 is the standard dac chip used on most motherboards. including the new x99 deluxe from asus.

nothing wrong with the DS at all but you would need a headphone amp if you have nice headphones.

If you don't need a headphone amp then DS D1 D2X are all great options. If you need a headphone amp then it's pheobus or STX on the asus side and Z/ZX/ZXR

I only use the Turtle Beach Dx12 [nothing fancy] don't know if upgrading to a Pheobus will be a waste of money when using those headsets

Got to do a bit of research!

Enigma80 said:
How so?

I had the DS in my basktet last week when specing a new build and many advised me not to get the DS as the on board audio on that mobo is good enough, so the difference will not be noticeable.

So now i am here to find out what will be the better choice in sound cards that will make a difference to the on board Audio

PapaLazaru · 10 Sep 2014 at 12:27

I would not bother with a soundcard unless you wish to also upgrade your headset. You won't notice too much difference, though a Xonar DG will be an improvement.

I came from onboard to a DG and the audio is better.

Geo-Gamer · 10 Sep 2014 at 12:55

PapaLazaru said:
I would not bother with a soundcard unless you wish to also upgrade your headset. You won't notice too much difference, though a Xonar DG will be an improvement.

I came from onboard to a DG and the audio is better.

What motherboard are you using?

Because adding a sound card regardless will perform better than the on board audio. But reading around the newer boards such as the Gaming series 7 by Gigabyte that I have purchased have similar performance to the lower end sound cards.

In terms of Headsets I might pick up the Razer Tiamat along with the Asus Pheobus.