BF2S Forums Should I bother getting a sound card?

What about just a cheap $20 Sound Blaster? I have an old MB, and don't want to waste a lot of money on something that won't help that much.

I think that as Onboard sound has progressed, and I beleve you are using the Realtek 850 series of onboard, there is very little difference between that and a mid-range sound card.  The only real benefit to a sound card is, taking a load (albeit small) from the cpu.  Also, it can do some things that onboard can't (x-fi's simulated surround sound for instance).  But imho, unless you have $100 burning in your pocket, it isn't really worth it.

Maxxxie74 wrote:

Maj.Do wrote:

well yea, it takes load off the cpu.  Also if you really want to hear high quality sound then get a sound card (ie Xfi any model or Audigy 2).  Id say its worth the money but if you dont have good speakers then dont buy a xfi

I probably should have given more info, so here it is:  I have an AMD 4200+ X2 64 CPU, 2GB of RAM, 160GB SATA II HDD, Radeon X850PRO PCIe, and I have Logitech X-530 speakers.  I'm not convinced that the use of onboard sound is a load given the specs of the machine.  I guess what I'm really asking is if the difference in sound quality really is tangible, given that I'm doing mostly gaming (as opposed to editing).

Thanks for the info.

Cheers,
Max.

I'm confused as to why you have an 850 in that rig. I would first recommend a video card upgrade and then, at some point in the future, a move to an X-Fi for increased sound quality. Skip over the Audigy 2 ZS unless you see one for a blatantly cheap price.

Last edited by unnamednewbie13 (2006-05-23 23:23:46)

For the most part, onboard sound is good enough for most people.  It all comes down to whether or not you feel you'd need it.  The CPU cycles used in using an onboard audio will only have little impact on performance.  So the need for one isn't all that great for the money-conscious.  The X-Fi can be had for about $100 at times... and the older models for significantly less.  While it's a nice addition considering the audio processing is taken from the CPU, your audio I/O needs can vary if you do more than simple gaming on your system.

In my case, I've an X-fi audio card and the audio representation is not that major.  The only part that made a world of difference was when I jump in a heli or plane.  However, having the X-fi means I am more than limited in my audio I/O needs... my primary audio output used to be via SPDIF coax, where it is connected to my HT receiver/speakers.  The X-Fi can be adapted for SPDIF output but the jack used for it is also used for Line-In/Mic.  This conflicts with using a headset/mic for audio communication via TeamSpeak or Ventrilo.

If you have $100 to spare, you can try out the X-Fi.  I like it so far... but I am not liking the limitations I have as far as audio I/O goes.

cyborg_ninja-117 wrote:

CommieChipmunk wrote:

x-fi is amazing on 7.1 surround sound... i would go for it

i wouldnt agree less. i got an xfi card, runs like a beauty, easy to fix when suddenly no sound. open case, remove card, re-insert and voila! i can hear arty from the other side of the map, that tells me i should find cover

but the thing is you shouldn't have to do that in the first place.  Ninja, you take out the PCI card while the computer is in operation?!

i run a p4 3.4, x800xt, 2 gig ram and i went from onboard sound to an x-fi xtrememusic soundcard. The sound quality is a step above and very very nice (even noticable when i use headphones).

Im sick of Santa and all the gifts  he gives you!!!, bastard bypasses my house all the bloody time and everytime i talk to you you have new toys...bloody old fat gutted deer molesterer.



**goes off to polish G36**

Last edited by 4_Phucsache (2006-05-28 23:33:27)

4_Phucsache wrote:

Im sick of Santa and all the gifts  he gives you!!!, bastard bypasses my house all the bloody time and everytime i talk to you you have new toys...bloody old fat gutted deer molesterer.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  Yes, this is true, Santa visits my house many times a year.. however at least you can say you own your own home.  If only Santa didn't visit so much, maybe I would be a home-owner too!

Max.