PCIe sound card for 2.1 speaker system

JLarks

JLarks

JLarks

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So the current speakers I have are fairly basic, the Logitech Z323 to be precise. I was looking at getting a PCIe sound card, in particular it seems that Creative 70SB150000001 Sound Blaster Z is a good choice.

Do you reckon there would be a noticeable upgrade in using this sound card over the on-board motherboard sound?
Or does it only really affect 5.1 setups?
 
Big step up from onboard sound. I just recently upgraded and couldn't fit my old PCI card in my new x99 setup so had to find a new card.

I used the onboard for a few days before buying a Sound Blaster Z and the difference is night and day.
 
Thanks for the reply, I guess a sound card is one of those things you think you probably never need until you get one and hear the difference?

Now to see what one to get, I assume the Sound Blaster Z is the 'best' for a ~£50 price range?
 
Yeah I got the basic OEM version. The one without the shield and added extras and that set me back £49.99. It does require a bit of setting up but once done properly it sounds awesome.
 
The better onboard audio solutions tend to be around the equivalent of entry level sound cards.
The Sound Blaster Z is a step up from that BUT you will likely only hear a sizeable difference when using decent headphones via the card's headphone amplifier.
Line out, which is what you feed your speakers with is not going to be as noticeable.
 
JLarks said:
Would you recommend I not bother if I were to buy a sound card for the speakers I mentioned in the Op?
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Impossible to say really as a) you don't say what motherboard audio you are using and b) even if you did I wouldn't have heard it anyway.

Your best bet is to buy a SB Z (OEM) and if it sounds better, keep it, if it doesn't, send it back under the 14 day return policy.
 
rids57 said:
Your best bet is to buy a SB Z (OEM) and if it sounds better, keep it, if it doesn't, send it back under the 14 day return policy.
Click to expand...

I currently have an ASUS M5A99X, although I am looking to upgrade my FX 6100 to an i7 on either Devils Canyon/Skylake/Haswell-E (although that is a different problem entirely!)

The OEM version appears to the same as the £65 version aside from the shielding and microphone bar, I assume that neither of these items are necessary/useful?

Thanks for the help
 
JLarks said:
I currently have an ASUS M5A99X, although I am looking to upgrade my FX 6100 to an i7 on either Devils Canyon/Skylake/Haswell-E (although that is a different problem entirely!)

The OEM version appears to the same as the £65 version aside from the shielding and microphone bar, I assume that neither of these items are necessary/useful?

Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Yup it's the same, just without all the thrown in extras and the fancy casing.

It destroys my Asus x99-a onboard sound, i knowe some of the skylake gigabyte series have a SBZ variant on some of their gamer boards.
 
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