Is a sound card really worth it?

GlasgowTitan · 27 Jan 2006 at 19:58

At the moment I have little beige desktop speakers, and no sound card. So I guess from what I can tell, I'm using AC97 Realtek sound. I was thinking about getting a set of 2.1 speakers to give a bit better bass for music, but I play a lot of gaming too, so new speakers might make the game sound better, especially with the subwoofer. Is it really worth the hassle of getting a sound card too? Whats the point if my motherboard can play it all fine (well to my ears anyway). And how does a £150 sound card make any sense!! My motherboard (Dual Sata II) has got a bunch of connections at the back for up to 5.1 or 7.1 I think, is that enough or is it really worth it to get a soundcard? I dont want to spend lot. and definatelly less than the speakers itself!

lemonkettaz · 27 Jan 2006 at 20:00

if you can get hold of the x-fi extreme music then yes it is worth it. the quality of sound is outstanding. coupled with good speakers its a dream. music and games

GlasgowTitan · 27 Jan 2006 at 20:02

How is it any different from onboard sound though, more bass or something?

lemonkettaz · 27 Jan 2006 at 20:05

just better quality. more features.

sound has to be important to appreciate it. i love high quality, like i dont rip cds for any less quality than 192kbps otherwise it sounds naff.

the 24bit crystaliser brings out the crispness of the high hats and it really gives power to the bass, its little things like that.

plus there is THX, HD, EAX5.0 i think. 3D, loads of different options to play with and it doesnt cripple the sound it enhances it when every tweak of the option.

Games a fantastic with EAX enabled and things like that. its up to you really, but for me personally it was a worthwhile upgrade to get the creative XFI series of soundcard

GlasgowTitan · 27 Jan 2006 at 20:14

Okay so suppose I get a sound card, it would be budget, including a set of 2.1 speakers all for UNDER £100 (lower the better) what would you recommend?

lemonkettaz · 27 Jan 2006 at 20:19

ah you are wanting speakers and sound for less than £100...

with £100 just get some really good speakers.i thought you were just getting the sound card :s

. if you ever were to get a soundcard though then the xfi is the card to go for... in the meantime you could get some cracking 2.1 speakers with £100

GlasgowTitan · 27 Jan 2006 at 20:36

Yeah thats what I'm thinking, for a hundred quid, a soundcard and speakers wont make much difference, but if I get good speakers....

I dont know what to look for, I'm browsing the OcUK and just trying to find the cheapest 2.1 set with the highest RMS numbers

lemonkettaz · 27 Jan 2006 at 20:37

thats a good way to look i guess.

i have some i trigue 2.1 creative speakers.. and they are pretty powerful

GlasgowTitan · 27 Jan 2006 at 20:48

JBL Creature II 2.1 Speakers - (Black) Retail (SP-006-HK)

I found these in the Harman Kardon section, and holy crap they look funky!! Are these any good, 8 watts per sattelite and 24 watts subwoofer. Now I dont want mah00sive sound that will wake the neighbours, just enough to give me an improvement over my little crappy 8 yr old desktop speakers at the moment.