Do Soundcards Actually Make Much Of A Diffrence?

minikayslay · 8 Dec 2009 at 23:07

By how much adding a aftermarket souncard does it , actually makes a diffrence to sound quality. Is it worth adding in a Creative Card replacing using the onboard realtek?cheers!

wakayoda · 8 Dec 2009 at 23:13

TheRedZealot · 8 Dec 2009 at 23:19

minikayslay said:
By how much adding a aftermarket souncard does it , actually makes a diffrence to sound quality. Is it worth adding in a Creative Card replacing using the onboard realtek?cheers!

ranges from being a ncie improvement to a substantial improvement depending on what headphones or speakers you are using really, should sound better in all circumstances though.

Marsman · 9 Dec 2009 at 00:44

Yep, agree with RedZealot there.

minikayslay · 9 Dec 2009 at 07:56

i will be using the z5500s?

Greebo · 9 Dec 2009 at 09:51

if connecting using optical then there will be hardly any difference. If using analogue to connect to your z5500 there will be a massive improvement.

Xon · 9 Dec 2009 at 10:01

Greebo said:
if connecting using optical then there will be hardly any difference. If using analogue to connect to your z5500 there will be a massive improvement.

If you want to use Optical and still hear a difference then buy the Dolby Live plugin for your sound card from the creative site. It's only around $3 and was well worth it.

Guest2 · 9 Dec 2009 at 10:45

wakayoda said:
Yes

Yes, for a laugh i took my soundcard out and enabled my onboard. It sounded like a river of **** coming out my speakers

PhillyDee · 9 Dec 2009 at 12:12

I dont think its worth adding in any creative card ever.
Buy a decent brand.

Valleyman · 9 Dec 2009 at 13:07

My vote always goes to a xonar or a DAC.
Creative are buggy hell in a box, and not worth it for EAX.

The random buzzing, squeeling, popping and distortion through onboard is clearly noticable even on average headphones/speakers.

Marsman · 9 Dec 2009 at 13:53

Xon said:
If you want to use Optical and still hear a difference then buy the Dolby Live plugin for your sound card from the creative site. It's only around $3 and was well worth it.

Not if you haven't bought an X-Fi yet isn't. Why pay £80 for the X-Fi Titanium, where you have to buy Dolby Digital Live, when you can buy the Xonar DX/D1, pay £25 less and get DDL included.

And don't go and say Creative has better EAX. For £25 extra?