So what are people using for sound cards these days?

[uclaLabrat]

I have an old x-fi, and I'm completely out of the loop on what is the way to go these days. Just normal gaming and all...what are people using, an auzentech?

 

[nsafreak]

From what I've seen most folks go with the Sound Blaster Zx or Asus cards for the most part. Personally I'm using a USB DAC/amp but I'm probably not the typical audience.

 

[MongGrel]

One of these personally, had to even get an adapter card on the Mobo awhile back.

I still like it, but not made anymore.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829156005

My onboard sound is about as good, but it's an old MOBO even. I'd hope they have something better in Decent MOBO's these days.

 

[Defenestration]

As @nsafreak mentions, Sound Blaster and Asus cards dominate the gaming sound sector.

The amount you spend depends on how much of an audiophile you are.

 

[RaistlinZ]

The last stand alone sound card I used was probably a Sound Blaster Audigy or something, back with my old Abit KT7A-RAID board.


Yeah, it's been a while.

 

[escrow4]

No point. Realtek ALC 1150 is a massive improvement over onboard and its likely shielded too - 115dB SNR. Unless you have speakers worth hundreds of dollars and a DAC, no point.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=328

 

[Jumpem]

The last stand alone sound card I used was probably a Sound Blaster Audigy or something, back with my old Abit KT7A-RAID board.


Yeah, it's been a while.

No point. Realtek ALC 1150 is a massive improvement over onboard and its likely shielded too - 115dB SNR. Unless you have speakers worth hundreds of dollars and a DAC, no point.

http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=328

I don't know if I could trust onboard audio to be of good quality. I have always used a Sound Blaster, since the late eighties.

It actually disappoints me that motherboard manufacturers put so much effort into onboard sound for gaming oriented motherboards. Now I, and many others, have to pay for something that will not be used. On top of that, the space on the back I/O panel could used be for something else.

 

[corkyg]

Onboard sound has become excellent, and if an accurate census were taken on new systems, it would most likely be the majority winner.

 

[uclaLabrat]

I picked up the X-fi back when I was playing BF2 a lot and EAX still worked. Wasn't sure if it was still worth it

 

[Ampersand38]

If you play games with headphones you should get a card with virtual surround. For example, Creative cards have CMSS-3D, Asus and other cards have Dolby Headphone, some Auzentech cards have both, i believe. Head-fi thread for more info

 

[Freddy1765]

Very happy with my Asus Xonar U7 and Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro headphones. Virtual Surround is pretty cool to use, definitely contributes to the gaming experience.

 

[Jumpem]

If you play games with headphones you should get a card with virtual surround. For example, Creative cards have CMSS-3D, Asus and other cards have Dolby Headphone, some Auzentech cards have both, i believe. Head-fi thread for more info

Do the onboard Realtek chip sets lack this feature? What about positional effects for gaming?

 

[mfenn]

I don't know if I could trust onboard audio to be of good quality. I have always used a Sound Blaster, since the late eighties.

It actually disappoints me that motherboard manufacturers put so much effort into onboard sound for gaming oriented motherboards. Now I, and many others, have to pay for something that will not be used. On top of that, the space on the back I/O panel could used be for something else.

Just because you've been doing something for 25 years doesn't meant that you have to keep doing it. Times change, and onboard audio is really quite good these days. If you want to go beyond it, you are looking at outboard DACs and real amps.

One thing to note though, Creative cards have always had a non-flat EQ curve built-in. They intentionally alter the sound away from technical accuracy in order to achieve an effect that subjectively "sounds good" to a lot of people. So if you're really used to that, then hearing accurate sound from your PC will probably throw you off, and it may feel a little flat.

 

[Cerb]

I'm trying to use an I2S-input DAC through a BeagleBone Black, but am not having the best luck.

If you hear problems when gaming, go ahead and get something that rests outside of the case, IMO (not useful just for added features). If no problems, keep using the onboard. Modern onboard chips are pretty good. The main reasons for not using them are (1) interference making audible noise, which may take a minimum quality of [physical] drivers, and is something one [unintentionally] can learn to hear more of, over time, and (2) sound processing, like fake 3D effects.

Do the onboard Realtek chip sets lack this feature? What about positional effects for gaming?

Pretty much all chips lack those features. A sound card supporting them is merely a DRM gimmick for the software that actually does the work, 99% of the time. A few Creative cards may use their own DSP chip for a few things, as a particular exception.

 

[Zorander]

I'm still using the E-MU 1212m from my past systems and will keep using it until it dies or PCI is completely phased out.

 

[mistersprinkles]

With so many motherboards offering high end audio (Realtek ALC1150, Creative Sound Core) and even seperated audio paths on different PCB layers, seperated PCB sections, shielding, high end audio caps, decent opamps, headphone amps... what's the point of a sound card?

GOOD onboard audio is SO good these days, that many have sworn off sound cards for good.

 

[Yuriman]

My Auzentech Forte died last year, and I miss it. I have 5.1 surround, and particularly miss the stereo surround. The effect provided by the Realtek chip in my board is disappointing in comparison.

 

[inachu]

I am so sick to death of speaker wires.

I hooked up my flat screen tv and use it as a sound source and sometimes use a wireless headset.

 

[Ampersand38]

Do the onboard Realtek chip sets lack this feature? What about positional effects for gaming?

I can't really think of an on-board with virtual surround. The effect simulates a 7.1 speaker speaker system in 2.0 headphones. It can really enhance your ability to locate the sound source. For an example, try this video.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

HDMI audio.