Question Sound cards and speakers?

[phreakwarz]

I want to get a desktop 5.1 speaker setup for games. Was looking at a logitec set ($100usd) and see that it uses a 3.5 jack. Thought about using the motherboard sound, but it seems to not be very good. So I thought about a sound card also.Are sound cards popular anymore (used one 10-12 years ago). So any advise what to use?

Budget around $200usd.

system
9900k
gigabytez390 aorus elite
windows 10
gigabyte rtx 2070 super
16 gb memmory

 

[Paperdoc]

You certainly can get good sound cards today. However, my advice is to get the speaker system you want and try it using your existing mobo-based system. If you still find that unsatisfactory, try a add-on sound card.

I have a Logitec Model X-510 speaker set (5.1 Surround system) purchased in 2006 and connected to the Realtek audio outputs on my ASUS mobo. I am not especially fussy about sound quality although I worked in broadcasting years ago and an very aware of the issues. In reality, after a long career in a noisy industry and given my age, my hearing is not as good as it was decades ago.I have no personal interest in extra audio equiplment and I consider my current system quite good.

 

[UsandThem]

If the onboard sound isn't to your liking, try the Creative AE-5.

I got it around $115 a few years ago, and I've been happy with it. The Windows 10 drivers have been stable as well.

 

[bigboxes]

I haven't used a sound card in a while. The onboard should be fine. I'd worry more about those $100 speakers.