Realtek ALC887 vs. Creative Sound Blaster Audigy RX/FX

[Pink Jazz]

I was wondering, I will be building a new computer for my grandfather in Christmas, and have practically ordered every component. Components include an MSI A68HM Grenade motherboard, an AMD A6-7400K APU, 8GB (2x 4GB) Crucial Ballistix Sport 1866MHz DDR3 RAM, a 1TB WD Blue 7200RPM 64MB cache HDD, an LG GH24NSC0B DVD burner, a Rosewill ARC 650 80 Plus Bronze PSU, a Rosewill dual fan RANGER-M mini tower case, an ASUS VS238H-P monitor, and Logitech Z313 2.1 speakers.

Now, I am debating whether I should buy a Sound Blaster Audigy RX as well. My grandpa listens to a lot of music, and I wonder if a Sound Blaster Audigy RX will show any improvement over the onboard Realtek ALC887 audio. What about the cheaper FX?

 

[Cr0nJ0b]

Personally I would at least start with the on board. The chips have gotten better over time and depending on the board most have digital outputs. I have used both over the years, with different issues.

Add-on card:
Pros -- Generally better driver support over time; easier to find information on the cards; sometimes better interference free audio; more outputs; looks cooler
Cons -- added card to deal with; needs extra slot; drivers sometimes interfere with system, used to have IRQ collisions; slots not always available; extra cost.

Built-In Audio
Pros -- It's built-in; drivers are designed to work with motherboard; usually have all the features you need; generally good enough.
Cons -- Interference (sometimes); less inputs/outputs; drivers can be hard to find in out years.

As i mentioned, I have used both but over the last 4 years i'm 100% onboard audio for the convenience. Haven't noticed any of the old interference issues. Sounds great and is easy to setup.

 

[Pink Jazz]

Personally I would at least start with the on board. The chips have gotten better over time and depending on the board most have digital outputs. I have used both over the years, with different issues.

Add-on card:
Pros -- Generally better driver support over time; easier to find information on the cards; sometimes better interference free audio; more outputs; looks cooler
Cons -- added card to deal with; needs extra slot; drivers sometimes interfere with system, used to have IRQ collisions; slots not always available; extra cost.

Built-In Audio
Pros -- It's built-in; drivers are designed to work with motherboard; usually have all the features you need; generally good enough.
Cons -- Interference (sometimes); less inputs/outputs; drivers can be hard to find in out years.

As i mentioned, I have used both but over the last 4 years i'm 100% onboard audio for the convenience. Haven't noticed any of the old interference issues. Sounds great and is easy to setup.

Thanks for your opinion. I have however read a few horror stories about the similar Realtek ALC892 (which I read is essentially the same as the ALC887 with a few additional features). I just want to take a little bit of caution.

If I decide to go the sound card route, should I go with the RX, or should the FX be good enough?

BTW this motherboard does not have S/PDIF built in.

 

[UsandThem]

What horror stories have you read about ALC887?

People either think their onboard audio sounds good or they don't.

For listening to music with the speakers you listed, there is not going to much difference. The Z313 speakers are very entry level speakers.

But if you still want to buy one before he has a chance to to see if he likes the onboard audio, either sound card would be fine.

 

[Pink Jazz]

What horror stories have you read about ALC892?

People either think their onboard audio sounds good or they don't.

For listening to music with the speakers you listed, there is not going to much difference. The Z313 speakers are very entry level speakers.

But if you still want to buy one before he has a chance to to see if he likes the onboard audio, either sound card would be fine.

I have read some issues about the ALC892 making various crackling and popping noises due to poor drivers. I have read that the newer ALC1150 is much better in this regard.

I will order the Audigy RX, but if the onboard sounds good enough, I can sell it on Craigslist or eBay. My grandfather lives in Puerto Rico and I want it to arrive before I come over for Christmas.

 

[UsandThem]

I have read some issues about the ALC892 making various crackling and popping noises due to poor drivers. I have read that the newer ALC1150 is much better in this regard.

I will order the Audigy RX, but if the onboard sounds good enough, I can sell it on Craigslist or eBay. My grandfather lives in Puerto Rico and I want it to arrive before I come over for Christmas.

Nothing wrong with that. It's not like you are buying a $300 audio card.

But just so you know, Realtek ALC audio is a simply a Codec. It is basically a program. It can be used with different chipsets and audio controllers. How good or bad it sounds depends on what components the motherboard manufacturer uses, and how it is implemented. For example, on higher-end motherboards they isolate the audio from the other components on the board. Also some board manufacturers include a built-in amplifier.

Even the ALC1150 codec can sound like garbage if not correctly implemented on motherboards.

 

[Pink Jazz]

FYI, I decided to go with an Asus Xonar DGX instead, since it is cheaper than the Audigy RX and has better reviews on Newegg. My grandpa doesn't need 7.1 support, so I am saving quite a bit of money.

 

[redzo]

For listening to music with the speakers you listed, there is not going to much difference.

There will be 0(ZERO) difference.

FYI, I decided to go with an Asus Xonar DGX instead, since it is cheaper than the Audigy RX and has better reviews on Newegg. My grandpa doesn't need 7.1 support, so I am saving quite a bit of money.

Your grandpa can do fine with the on-board audio.

 

[UsandThem]

There will be 0(ZERO) difference.

Audio quality is subjective. What sounds good to one person might sound bad to another. If a person claims they can tell a difference, how are you going to prove that they are wrong? You can show the specifications of the hardware, but it's not like reviewing different video cards where you can show the differences in FPS.

Just take a look at the Head-Fi forums. Lots of debates and articles on miniscule differences in expensive headphones and audio equipment.