do i really need a sound card

kvnwds43 · 19 Apr 2007 at 21:42

hi guys im currently putting a new system together consisting of a :-
intel e 6600 dual core
evga 680 sli motherboard
geil 2 gb ram
evga 6800gtx 768mb graphics card
now although the evga motherboard has a 7.1 hd sound card built in would i really benefit by buying a seperate sound card , i am buying a set of 7.1 speakers by creative

keybaud · 20 Apr 2007 at 00:27

If you want to get the best sound out of your system, you'll need a decent separate card. If you just want sounds, then the onboard will do. I have an extra card for game sounds through speakers and use the onboard for voice chat through a headset. Mind you, I don't see the point in 7:1 sound anyway; you only have 2 ears.

S

chris74 · 20 Apr 2007 at 10:41

Well the processor on the soundcard does take a lot of calculations away from the processor and whilst you have a good setup when the big games start to hit the shelves then you may need that free space that the card would offer.

7.1, i wouldnt bother really. I have had 5.1 for a few years now and i am now looking at a nice quality 2.1 setup something like Acoustic Energy Aego M with the focus on the quality rather than quantity

Chris

Vern1961 · 20 Apr 2007 at 22:36

I've decided to go for a separate soundcard in my rebuild. Not really happy with the onboard sound on my Gigabyte S3, Flight Sim X seems particularly scratchy. So have ordered an OEM SB Audigy, only about £15. If it improves my sound, allows me to enjoy EAX and frees up some CPU cycles it will be money well spent.

skanky · 21 Apr 2007 at 13:14

Vern1961 said:
If it improves my sound, allows me to enjoy EAX and frees up some CPU cycles it will be money well spent.

is that really valid anymore? back in *** day of lower spec machines that might have been an issue but with modern processors, surely its not going to be such a hit on cpu?