Soundcard upgrade

Witcher1979

Witcher1979

Witcher1979

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Joined
20 Apr 2011
Posts
7,373
Location
Suffolk
Hey guys

I am using the onboard sound from a Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard and the audio seems pretty bad to me. Although this could be my headset as well the headset is a x12 turtle beach. When I say the audio is bad what I mean is that when gaming people can hear sounds and directions of gunfire much better then I can. I have been told over and over by people that onboard sound is not really great for gaming and the headset I have should be ok for my needs. I was thinking a £40 budget for a soundcard and would like some recommendations based on it really being used by a headset and not really speakers at all also gaming is the main purpose I have other means to hear my music.

Thanks in advance
 
I'd grab a Xonar DGX, or DG if you need PCI. It's a great budget card. Spending any more would be better put towards a headset upgrade instead.
 
Hi

Thanks I will have a look tonight at those cards, what would you recommend on a headset with a mic? I guess I would not mind spending around the £70-£100 mark, or is that to cheap.
 
Soundblaster Z OEM is a very good card at a good price. The problem is that it's not needed with a headset such as the X12. Far better to buy a DGX for £20 or so, and put any other money toward a new headset. The output, whether it be speakers, headphones or a headset, is more important. If the OP has £100 to spend on both, spend £80 on the headset, possibly a Qpad QH-85 or 90, then £20 on the DGX. I wouldn't buy the SB Z OEM, then spend £50 on a headset. £50 in my opinion, buys rubbish headsets.
 
Yes I see what you mean :)

I quite fancy those Qpad 90s myself...and they are not too expensive either... im using the Asus Vulcan headset , its ok ...but the bass is a bit lacking and I do like headsets/headphones with some nice bass
 
Thank you guys I think the £20 on the DGX and £80 on one of those headsets. Fingers crossed I will be able to tell where gunfire is coming from a bit easier.

Thanks again
 
When you get the DGX have a play with the Dolby Headphone feature. It improves positional audio immensely by transforming it to a HRTF / binaural audio signal.

Creative uses the same concept with its CMSS-3D and SBX surround.

For games that don't allow you to configure surround sound as an option set your speakers in the windows mixer to 5.1/7.1 then enable Dolby Headphone.

I was sceptical when I first tried using it but the results are actually quite impressive.
 
Thanks again guys, just a quick question I notice some headsets on ocuk for around £80 are 7.1 are those qpad ones only stereo. Would it be better to get a surround set or are those Qpads the best for the money. I grabbed the DG version of that card as I want to keep the other slot free as unsure what I am doing with my GPU upgrade yet. The soundcard is pretty impressive so thanks for that :)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-022-RA&groupid=702&catid=1058&subcat=692

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-032-ST&groupid=702&catid=1058&subcat=692

or are these the best for my budget I have allowed.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-003-QP

Thanks again
 
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No point getting a USB headset, as they have their own sound processing. You need an analogue headset to make use of the sound card. Majority of USB headsets are stereo anyway, regardless of having '7.1' labeling and use surround sound processing, which is what the sound card will do.
 
Finally got my qh-90's and I am really quite impressed with them, still messing with settings atm. Are this recommended or should I try different settings? Can't seem to get magic voice working though even if I add the .exe to the app list.

QW5oERb.png


Stratosphere83 said:
When you get the DGX have a play with the Dolby Headphone feature. It improves positional audio immensely by transforming it to a HRTF / binaural audio signal.

Creative uses the same concept with its CMSS-3D and SBX surround.

For games that don't allow you to configure surround sound as an option set your speakers in the windows mixer to 5.1/7.1 then enable Dolby Headphone.

I was sceptical when I first tried using it but the results are actually quite impressive.
Click to expand...
 
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