Sound card? Or stick with onboard

elpedro · 1 Jan 2009 at 16:20

Hey, wondering if its worth the jump from onboard and if so, what card should I go for. Don't want to spend massive amounts, only have 2.1 surround, may get 5.1 at a later date.

Snograt · 1 Jan 2009 at 16:52

If the onboard sound is Azalea/HD Audio, then stick with it.

If, on the other hand, it's AC97 - bung a card in there.

elpedro · 1 Jan 2009 at 19:01

Realtek HD, pretty new board the ASUS P5Q also. Its not that I'm unhappy with the quality, in fact I'm quite impressed; its just so many people say the difference is amazing when they have switched.

speedyj · 2 Jan 2009 at 14:50

I have an EMU 0404 soundcard which I consider to have great sound quality but it is a few years old now.

Would a newer card or onboard HD sound any better?

The Deuce · 4 Jan 2009 at 15:45

I ditched my XFi gamer in favour of my onboard and have never looked back..using Asus P5Ke Wifi Premium.

Cristian · 4 Jan 2009 at 15:59

it also depends on what speakers you're using.
for a gaming 5.1 system it's really not worth changing it.
but consider a decent amp + stereo speakers and music in lossless format and the difference will be quite noticeable.

pby · 4 Jan 2009 at 17:08

I have a realtek HD on an asrock motherboard, when compared to a dedicated soundcard the onboard has a lot of floor noise. I'm guessing its because its a cheap mobo. It works fine and all but when you have it side by side the difference like is day and night.

Having said that you should just stick with onboard and upgrade if you're not happy with it.

Dicehunter · 4 Jan 2009 at 18:08

I have the card in my sig and its awesome, i went from onboard to this and the difference is night and day.
Quality of your games, music and movies is just so much better with a dedicated card.

mattyfez · 4 Jan 2009 at 18:20

elpedro said:
Realtek HD, pretty new board the ASUS P5Q also. Its not that I'm unhappy with the quality, in fact I'm quite impressed; its just so many people say the difference is amazing when they have switched.

Possibly worth the extra cost IMO, I bought a cheaphish soundcard
(creative x-fi extreme audio) and it accomplishes the one thing I was hoping it would accomplish, which is theres now no electronic intereference comming from the speakers when the volume is high but the soundtrack is quiet.

I cant say its improved quality as such, it sounds a bit cleaner, but at the same time a bit "canned" and artificial so ive had to do lots of adjustments to compensate.

Asus onboard HD audio is pretty good and if you dont have any interference probs like I did, then you may not get much by upgrading.