Do i need soundcard?

[applebig]

Whats a soundcard for?
Do I need one?

What i really mean is, does the sound gets a lot better if i possess a soundcard?

 

[Duinchlfc]

Whats a soundcard for?
Do I need one?

What i really mean is, does the sound gets a lot better if i possess a soundcard?

You don't NEED it but its nice to have one.Some onboard sound is already decent enough and you can't really tell the difference unless you're an audiophile.

I got my sound card because i wanted the surround game sound effects that only the additional sound card can provide ( correct me if i'm wrong ) Dolby digital LIVE its called.

 

[Ark Law]

Whats a soundcard for?
Do I need one?

What i really mean is, does the sound gets a lot better if i possess a soundcard?

Answer 1) A product that attempts to make the sound as half good as an external DAC

Answer 2) No

Answer 3) No. Even if you have $300++ speakers/headphones/earphones. Save up for a decent DAC more worth it than getting a soundcard. Modern onboard sound suffices for most people

 

[bhtan83]

dun bother buying a sound card. I recently bought 1 and i regretted. cos there is not much improvement over my on-board mobo.

bought a sound blaster Z card, the bass is way too overwhelming.

just like what Ark said, unless u r really into sound quality and willing to spend $1000++ on a really good ext DAC. otherwise not much improvement.

 

[applebig]

im sorry, what is a DAC??

 

[bhtan83]

im sorry, what is a DAC??

Digital to Analog Converter.

 

[x3nor_S]

im sorry, what is a DAC??

Let me google that for you

 

[ykgoh]

Depends who you ask. I hear different things from different people.

NO. Mobo integrated sound is good enough, unless you're fussy and you've exceptional hearing in the top 1%. Otherwise, save your money.

YES. Hardcore audiophiles and gamers will tell you you need a sound card because it has "cleaner" sound.

 

[Felfirez]

From your unsure post, I'd say no. Else, you'd know what you want to hear.

 

[bemylove]

yes if you value better audio provided you listen to higher quality music files (320kbps above) and have a good headphone/speakers(ATW-700 or Swans m50w or Aego M above), because soundcard will make your music sings. a soundcard under 200 is not much for long term use. if you no hear music, then no need bah!

 

[foo9883]

Sorry to hijack, Essense STX any good? Xonar Phoebus?

 

[bemylove]

STX is better.
Those using soundcard, can try listen to something called CD music and hear the difference in harmonics!

 

[wtfh4x]

I'd rather you buy a good set of speakers first.

 

[isaacfok]

If your rig is mainly for gaming, I'd suggest getting a really good gaming headset. Those headsets literally have a soundcard built-in their hardware which is connected via usb. I'm using the Creative Soundblaster Tactic3D Omega, awesome for those FPS kind of games

 

[tigerwoods]

yes if you want to upgrade your old motherboard sound.
yes good soundcard will give cleaner richer sound.

 

[Xlusionist]

normal usage no need, unless you need it for a good experience or work

 

[royfrosty]

Do you need a sound card?

Answer is depends on what you need in a sound card and what you intend to do with the sound card? Are you doing recording purposes? Are you trying to do sound editing? Or are you just using it for gaming and music purposes?

If you are using just for gaming and music/movies, best is to have a good pair of speakers to pair up with a sound card.

Rubbish speakers usually will give you crap sound even if you use a high end sound card. Vise versa.

It must go hand in hand and make a good pairing.

My suggestion is i rather you save up the money and go for a better speakers. A high end 2.1 or 5.1 whichever. Then plug in to your onboard sound. If you like the sound then fine. If you do not like the sound for so whatever reason then just grab a sound card. But believe me, if you aint a audiophile, you cannot hear the difference.

 

[flame2000]

Onboard sound sucks. I went from soundcard to onboard audio because my soundcard went dead after 12 years. It was just a crappy Creative Live 5.1 but it sounds so mych better than onboard. I went back to soundcard again.

 

[tensaixp]

Answer 1) A product that attempts to make the sound as half good as an external DAC

Answer 2) No

Answer 3) No. Even if you have $300++ speakers/headphones/earphones. Save up for a decent DAC more worth it than getting a soundcard. Modern onboard sound suffices for most people

But aren't DACs usually 2.0? I prefer 2.1 setups.

 

[Felfirez]

But aren't DACs usually 2.0? I prefer 2.1 setups.

Active Subs usually comes with their own crossover/low pass filter. You just need a mono signal out to it, usually a loop out from the main LR speakers.