Conspirate

I'm building a new computer, and i'm only planning on using my Creative Itrique 3400, a very nice compact 2:1 system. Should I purchase a soundcard for this system? Or more, do I need to purchase a soundcard for this system?

Nerdz

Use the onboard sound. Its just as good as anything else you can buy

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elfuego

well if you want to get the most out of those sweet speakers, you probly are going to want a sound card. but if money is tight, you'll be fine with out. the on-board sound on most mobos is more than adiquite, at least for my untrained ears.

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Jobistober

You won't worry about a soundcard,

With a 2.1 speaker setup, a soundcard won't make a bit of difference. I run a Sicuro 360 2.1 speaker system on the onboard 6 channel audio included with my Asus K8V SE Deluxe and the sound quality is awesome.

Unless your gonna be dealin' with say 4 or more channels or need more audio jacks in your system, I wouldn't give a soundcard a second thought. Just my suggestive $0.02.

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Conspirate

Well, take into consideration I convert all of my downloaded music (over 1200 albums) into 128 KBPS MP3 format so I can fit as much as I can onto my iPod. I dont know the specs of soundcards, but I doubt that the onboard soundcard wont be able to handle that bitrate. Yet again, I could always use a second opinion. Like, what does a soundcard do. Is it primarily used for mixing the sound?

Jobistober

Soundcards aren't too awfully complicated.

A sound card handles not only surround sound for speaker setups consisting of more than two speakers, but also handles the 3D sound that is used in most games. The main difference between 3D sound and surround sound is that 3D sound is mostly seen in games and depends on the position of the player in the game and changes with the player's position. Surround sound is predetermined changes in the audio channels that simulate motion and direction.

A sound card is a stand alone audio processor that mainly takes the responsibility of handling audio and sound off of the cpu. Basically, it is processing the 3D and surround sounds into each channel dynamically. You shouldn't need a soundcard for converting between music formats, onboard audio can handle that just fine, besides, a sound card or onboard sound codec isn't what converts the audio formats.

I'm not an expert on audio, but this is just what I know from reading around... and if anyone sees error in my rambling, feel free to correct me.

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z0mbi3

Agree with pretty much everything that's been said so far.

In addition, if you had to get a sound card 'cause you were worried about stress on your cpu then it's probably time you looked at an all round system upgrade.

I know sweet sound cards are nice and all , but my 5.1's through my av8's on board sound pretty good imho.

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Conspirate

I see... if you were me, and you were only going to use a soundcard for 2:1 in games and listening to compressed files, would you still get a card for the hell of it?

The Dragon Reborn

I have a Creative 2.1 Digital setup... I've tested it and I can surely tell the difference between
my onboard sound & my Audigy 2... there is just no contest... the Audigy 2 is much "crisper" and
"cleaner"... when listening to music.. Just my 2cts...

TDR

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z0mbi3

Quote: Originally Posted by Conspirate I see... if you were me, and you were only going to use a soundcard for 2:1 in games and listening to compressed files, would you still get a card for the hell of it?

I was pretty much the same as you and I never saw the need.

I did get a card just for the hell of it very recently, aside from not being able to get it to work (I think I'll make a thread on that in a sec) I don't really want to put any more heat in my comp, things are cramped enough as is.

Going on what you've said I don't see your need for a seperate sound card.

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the _klamper

Quote: Originally Posted by Conspirate I see... if you were me, and you were only going to use a soundcard for 2:1 in games and listening to compressed files, would you still get a card for the hell of it?

if your files were compressed at anything avobe 190 ... then speakers do make a noticeable difference .... but for files of around 128 - 160 .... theres no audible difference (even on a 7channel audio stream) even newer mobo's are including a whopping "8 channel" onboard audio and even then, onboard audio is just as good .....

denacopoliez

If you in the "hell of it" kind of mood i would sugest holding on to some scratch and getting two things, a Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi and a set of the Logitech X-530 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers I have a set in my office and they ROCK the house solid sound and for the money you cant beat it!

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67_GTO

I have Creative t7700 7.1 system that is awesome. I used to use it with my onboard 5.1 card and didnt mind it. The speakers have a 5.1 to 7.1 upmix feature which "converts" the 5.1 to a 7.1 system. All it really does is play the same audio in the side channels as is played in the rear channels.

I recently got a 7.1 sound card and the sound improved only mildly. The only difference that i noticed was that the system creates a movie theater like experience when playing in 7.1. When i plug in my 2.1 i dont notice any difference between the two.

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reflux

Quote: Originally Posted by denacopoliez Logitech X-530 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers, I have a set in my office and they ROCK the house solid sound and for the money you cant beat it!

Yeah, I have some Logitech X-230s, (the 2.1 setup) and I get regular complaints from the people above and below me in my student halls. When I'm at home I have my laptop connected to a 5.1 setup, using it's onboard audio and to be honest its perfectly adequate, especially if your speakers have a Dolby processor in 'em like my 5.1 setup does.

Need for Speed Most Wanted sounds luvverly, and Quake 4 more so!

But if you're going properly go for it definitely get a soundcard with an optical or at least coaxial output. Obviously then you need speakers to match, but the quality is so much better it's probably worth it. None of that dreadful hissing; the sound quality is much crisper and cleaner.

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FunkyFresh

Give the onboard a shot first. Then if you don't like the sound quality when playing a CD, spring for a sound card.

Most always, playing a CD with onboard sound will sound better than playing a 128-bit MP3 on any sound card. So if you're regularly listening to 128-bit MP3s and the compression doesn't bother you, I wouldn't bother with a sound card (unless the onboard gives you some technical problems or is particularly bad). It'd just go to waste, like buying a 7800GTX for email and spreadsheets.

I have a Cambridge 5.1 speaker setup, and I've been happy with the onboard sound from my past three motherboards. I'd just as soon put the money into something I'd personally appreciate more. For those with finely-tuned ears who spend more on their speakers than their car (and refuse to listen to anything below 192-bit), a sound card is a must. For the rest of us, onboard usually works well enough.

Ator

If your speakers are decent enough, you will definitely notice a difference when compared to onboard. All of my MP3's are either the 128 AAC from the iTunes store, or 192 from "elsewhere".

Heck, with my Z5300's, switching from an Audigy 2 to an X-Fi made a HUGE difference.

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Vertical_Zer0

I've always found that onboard sound is sufficient (nVidia soundstorm is actually really good) but if you get a surround system and want better quality, it's time to pick up a new sound card. Personally, I have a 2.1 system so I use an old Sound Blaster Live (mostly because the GNU/Linux drivers for the emu10k1 chip are perfect).

THRiLL KiLL

Quote: Originally Posted by Vertical_Zer0 I've always found that onboard sound is sufficient (nVidia soundstorm is actually really good) but if you get a surround system and want better quality, it's time to pick up a new sound card. Personally, I have a 2.1 system so I use an old Sound Blaster Live (mostly because the GNU/Linux drivers for the emu10k1 chip are perfect).

i dont think he will be back to get your response.. as he was banned....

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