Sound card question

[Dorkenstein]

What other sound cards have hardware acceleration besides Creative? I need a new sound card but don't really feel like getting a creative one. Thanks.

 

[DaveSimmons]

search "creative" found this thread answering your question.

 

[Brian48]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
What other sound cards have hardware acceleration besides Creative? I need a new sound card but don't really feel like getting a creative one. Thanks.

None on the consumer level. Unless you include the TB Santa Cruz or Fortissimo III, both of which are no longer supported and in the case of the F3, no longer in production.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Well according to the thread you linked none of those cards are good for gaming, just music. And another thing is that they still give an FPS hit in games. What answer did you see in there?

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
Well according to the thread you linked none of those cards are good for gaming, just music. And another thing is that they still give an FPS hit in games. What answer did you see in there?

Just because you want a good alternative does not mean one exists.

The thread I linked answered your question, and I was also pointing out that using search you could have gotten your answer without needing to start a new thread.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Well it looks like my choice is either the TBSC or the Chaintech Envy chipset one. Which one is better?

 

[Dorkenstein]

Actually nevermind. If I use headphones then what is a good sound card for that? Because obviously a 7 channel sound card won't do me much good.

 

[Algere]

Chaintech and the reason ppl are recommending it isn't because of it's 7.1 capability which stinks soundwise. It's recommended due to the high quality 2 channel output and being that your aim is headphone use. I don't see a better option than the Chaintech @ that pricepoint.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Thanks. Does the Chaintech beat even the Audigy 2 as far as 2 channel sound goes?

 

[food4thots]

the chaintech is good for spdif output to a receiver.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
Thanks. Does the Chaintech beat even the Audigy 2 as far as 2 channel sound goes?

It does in sound quality.

 

[Brian48]

Originally posted by: Algere

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
Thanks. Does the Chaintech beat even the Audigy 2 as far as 2 channel sound goes?

It does in sound quality.

Maybe when in digital, but in analog, my A2 sounded a hell of alot better than the AV710 I had for a short time.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Ok, but is it in digital most of the time? If it was mostly analog I would still consider getting an A2. Plus from what I hear the Envy chip isn't easy on frame rates. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: Brian48
Maybe when in digital, but in analog, my A2 sounded a hell of alot better than the AV710 I had for a short time.

Only if your comparing the AV-710 to the A2 in a more than 2 channel setup or in gaming situations then yea. Obviously for gaming it's the sound card which has better (realistic) sound effects and in that standing, there's no contest who wins there...

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: Dorkenstein
Ok, but is it in digital most of the time? If it was mostly analog I would still consider getting an A2. Plus from what I hear the Envy chip isn't easy on frame rates. Thanks for the replies.

Right the Envy isn't easy on framerates in contrast to the A2 but if your CPU is fast enough it shouldn't be much of a concern or if you require/want/need every single framerate outta your machine then the A2 is your only choice less Soundstorm if your on a AXP platform.

EDIT: AFAIK there is no digital most of the time. It's a matter of if you use either the S/PDIF (digital) or line outs (analog). If you intend to connect headphones directly into the soundcard you'd most likely be using a analog out. OTOH if you were to use a interconnect (cable) between the sound card and a external DAC/receiver/etc. e.g. and from the DAC to headphones or what not then it would be digital but only between the soundcard and DAC/receiver/etc.

 

[food4thots]

if you're gonna do heavy gaming go w/ A2.. otherwise, you won't be disappointed by the chaintech, especially at only ~$25

 

[Kishan]

I'm not sure if i should go for the chaintech. I have onboard currently with logitech z-640's. My break up is 65% mp3s, 25% movies, 15% gaming. However, I mostly use my headphones. Will my sound be louder and crisper with the chaintech over onboard?
Thanks,
Kishan

 

[Dorkenstein]

Yeah I do alot of mp3 listening too.