Onboard vs dedicated sound card?

[afeef]

Is it worth buying a dedicated sound card over onboard one ? I'm using assrock z87 mobo with some high cool end headphones and probably i'll be buying 2.1 setup in near future.

Usage:

• Movies (Minor)
• Songs (Minor)
• Games (Major)

 

[fpga123]

It really depends on your understanding of sounds. If you are susceptible to minute sound changes and can differentiate between even slight sounds then a discrete or dedicated sound card will enhance your experience by leaps and bounds otherwise you'll still get a difference but that may not justify the cost. For example, if you know how to use an equalizer to enhance your music experience or you have at least played with some sound filters and codecs then you'll be able to understand the difference.

I for one, have experienced it and found that the discrete ones create a very authentic and crisp music experience. They can even enhance previously badly recorded sounds to near perfect levels. Onboard sound cards rely on software algorithms to enhance sounds while discrete ones have specialized processors to enhance sound thus in addition your computer's processor doesn't have to work on them. The performance impact is evident when you have a system having more than 3 channels and usually listen to lossless audio like FLAC.

 

[afeef]

I'm not a sound junkie but most of the time either it's ingame audio or mp3 files that i listen to. Well for now, i think onboard sound card is enough for me since dedicated ones are expensive and not willing to spend money on stuff that looks good only on paper.

P.S. You summed it pretty well.

 

[Pleasant]

The simple answer is yes if you have good output device then u shud invest in dedicated sound
there is world of difference in sound so if you can afford good heaphone and speakers then go for dedicated soundcard as well

 

[afeef]

Right, can you also tell me if my bluetooth headsets will work with the dedicated sound card?

 

[Zeus MK]

Is it worth buying a dedicated sound card over onboard one ? I'm using assrock z87 mobo with some high cool end headphones and probably i'll be buying 2.1 setup in near future.

Usage:

• Movies (Minor)
• Songs (Minor)
• Games (Major)

The difference is indeed Day and Night.
However it is going to depend heavily on the supporting hardware peripheral quality you are going to use with it,
in your case as a assume that you meant high end by 'high cool end' i think it would be wiser on preferring a Dedicated card.
a recommendation. The Creative Xtreme Sound Blaster Series 0460, Best bang for the buck imo.

 

[awais52]

well, there is a good difference between on-board and dedicated sound processing.
I am still using creative SB 0460 purchased many years ago and with Logitech 5.1 speakers, there is a lot of difference with movies supporting 5.1 sound
with a 2.1 setup, probably you won't feel much difference...
however, 0460 should be really cheap as I remember I got mine for less than 1000 bucks

 

[afeef]

Ignore the headphones, i'm using 7.1 one headphones but they are bluetooth one, i recently bought Logitech z313 2.1 speakers. The result is impressive but should i get a dedicated sound card? 1000 rupees ain't a issue for me if it's worth getting one.

 

[Pleasant]

Ignore the headphones, i'm using 7.1 one headphones but they are bluetooth one, i recently bought Logitech z313 2.1 speakers. The result is impressive but should i get a dedicated sound card? 1000 rupees ain't a issue for me if it's worth getting one.

1000rs mein kaunsa soundcard arha ha :shifty:

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Ignore the headphones, i'm using 7.1 one headphones but they are bluetooth one, i recently bought Logitech z313 2.1 speakers. The result is impressive but should i get a dedicated sound card? 1000 rupees ain't a issue for me if it's worth getting one.

1000rs mein kaunsa soundcard arha ha :shifty:

 

[afeef]

1000rs mein kaunsa soundcard arha ha :shifty:

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1000rs mein kaunsa soundcard arha ha :shifty:

bachelor is selling some creative sound card for 1k.

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1000rs mein kaunsa soundcard arha ha :shifty:

- - - Updated - - -


1000rs mein kaunsa soundcard arha ha :shifty:

bachelor is selling some creative sound card for 1k.

 

[Pleasant]

bachelor is selling some creative sound card for 1k.

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bachelor is selling some creative sound card for 1k.

if you are on windows 7 then you can go with those cards with Win 8 and 10 they dont provide full support

 

[Shining Wizard]

five years ago i bought creative sound blaster live 5.1 channel card in 400 rupees lol but it does not have support for later operating systems after windows xp

 

[Pleasant]

five years ago i bought creative sound blaster live 5.1 channel card in 400 rupees lol but it does not have support for later operating systems after windows xp

yeah it is waste to invest on those soundcards now they have drivers but doesnt support properly with its full options

 

[mac007]

Right, can you also tell me if my bluetooth headsets will work with the dedicated sound card?

if it has a USB receiver/Transmitter than no... sound will be transferred to it without going through soundcard

 

[afeef]

^Yeap, it has its own standalone usb transmitter.