Will i notice onboard > Pci-e Card?

unknownsock · 17 Jun 2009 at 15:11

Will i notice the difference between, onboard > Pci-e Card?

Right, Will i notice the difference going from onboard to a mid ranged pci-e sound card?

Only thing ive never upgraded so i wouldnt know.
I currently have just fairly decent 2.1 speakers, soon to be upgraded.

Mainly gonna be used for music and gaming.

Dalziban · 17 Jun 2009 at 17:21

I recently down graded my pc to take all the good stuff out for a new build, while waiting for the parts to come i used the same computer with a 8800 insted of a 280 and on board rather then creative SB X-fi. the first thing i noticed was the change in sound rather then the change in graphics when gaming.

they are well worth the cost but you need to have the speakers/headset to go with it. IMHO

PaulyD · 17 Jun 2009 at 17:47

I noticed a huge difference going from the supreme FX sound card bundled with the Maximus/Rampage board to a Xonar DX that it was unreal and thats probably one of the best supplied sound card/onboard sound packages you can get.

Decent speakers are a must, but once you upgrade you will never want to go back to on-board again

unknownsock · 18 Jun 2009 at 13:42

Well i was thinking of a mid ranged xonar / x-fi card, and some full surround speakers, im quite happy with my onboard but as it always is, i wants better.

Ill be happy when my bass starts to make the neighbours come banging

Although money is tight atm. Anyone able to reccomend a decent brand? asus or creative for eg.

jak731 · 18 Jun 2009 at 13:47

The xfi cards are better for competitive fps gaming with their 3d positioning, for excellent audio quality for films and casual gaming get a xonar

.

bledd · 18 Jun 2009 at 14:37

get a xonar dx (or D1) or xfi xtreme music

the difference is huge

linktoinsanity · 18 Jun 2009 at 14:43

I went down from a Creative X-Fi PCI-E to an onboard sound and have to say I noticed the difference. I would put the creative back in but I've had such a fewer amount of crashes since the downgrade I have left it for now.

bledd · 18 Jun 2009 at 14:53

my xfi was murder with old drivers, but since the newest set came out, it's been rock solid

adbp1 · 19 Jun 2009 at 18:13

sorry to jump in on this post, i was gonna ask same question!
but what i need is card with optical out, is there any decent ones people would recommend at a reasonable price?

yashiro · 19 Jun 2009 at 18:40

Use digital out to an amp and the 'quality' of the card is irrelevant.

IronLung420 · 19 Jun 2009 at 18:47

Yes you will notice the difference as long as you have a half decent set of speakers/headphones.

yashiro · 19 Jun 2009 at 18:48

Only if you're using the analogue ports on the card.

MikeHunt79 · 19 Jun 2009 at 18:50

yashiro said:
Use digital out to an amp and the 'quality' of the card is irrelevant.

This is what I do, onboard is fine when the digital out is used.

adbp1 · 19 Jun 2009 at 18:54

MikeHunt79 said:
This is what I do, onboard is fine when the digital out is used.

i used to do! the board i got now doesnt have any digital out