Sound cards - Should I care?

Well, when I bought my nice new PC, I didnt give much thought into the sound card (mainly because I had some seriously weak computer speakers).
Anyways, I finally decided to grab myself some of those new logitech z560's, and Im starting to like it.

Now, I have some soundblaster live 5.1 card in there, would it be right to upgrade to something like an audigy 2?(No, I'm not really on a so called buget).
Is the sound quality that much better? Does it improve gaming fps?
What is the draw?

Replys are welcome
:)

This might help ya.
http://www.sharkyforums.com/showthre...hreadid=195624

It depends if you listen to alot of music, watch movies or do alot of gaming. If you do, an Audigy 2 oem would be perfect.

better SQ? YES

Better Frames? Yes

problem solved.

u'll never go back once u hear something off the audigy 2 with good speakers. i know i won't. a2 all the way. 78 shipped at newegg.

With those speakers GET THE AUDIGY2 OEM!;)

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Originally posted by Isezumi
better SQ? YES

Better Frames? Yes

problem solved.

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I can kind of see how it would provide better FPS, but is it a big difference? I ask cause I can also see how something that has more power (the sound card in this case) would need more CPU power to operate over the SB Live (for example).

Thanks for the reply's, :)

Anyways, I was wondering, whats with the audigy 2 OEM and the retail version difference?
I kinda do like getting game bundles and crap when I buy hardware, so I think ill go with the retail version, unless the OEM itself has better hardware?

Quote:

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Originally posted by PikachuMan
Thanks for the reply's, :)

Anyways, I was wondering, whats with the audigy 2 OEM and the retail version difference?
I kinda do like getting game bundles and crap when I buy hardware, so I think ill go with the retail version, unless the OEM itself has better hardware?

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Same hardware, just a few bundled games included. Not worth it in my opinion.

Quote:

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Originally posted by coolqf


I can kind of see how it would provide better FPS, but is it a big difference? I ask cause I can also see how something that has more power (the sound card in this case) would need more CPU power to operate over the SB Live (for example).

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I dont know...do you consider 10FPS to be a 'big difference'?

because you can gain as much as 10FPS over the Live with the A2.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Isezumi

I dont know...do you consider 10FPS to be a 'big difference'?

because you can gain as much as 10FPS over the Live with the A2.

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talk about % instead of fps.. If you're already gettnig 500fps, gettign 510 is not much of a jump..

From the research I did, it looked like a 3-5% speed boost is in order moving from an older or motherboard based solution (that's not the nvidia2 board) to a newer board.

I think the article was on toms hardware.

fb

Sound quality is subjective.

It is a generally accepted fact on forae such as these, that the Soundblaster Live is one of the worst sound quality cards available...

However, I have seen subjective reviews where they have been rated in sound quality above the likes of the Audigy and Santa Cruz.

No-one is correct, or incorrect.

However, IMO, if you are doing it purely for SQ increase, you are wasting your money.

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Originally posted by freakboy


talk about % instead of fps.. If you're already gettnig 500fps, gettign 510 is not much of a jump..

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upwards of 10% in ideal conditions.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Isezumi

upwards of 10% in ideal conditions.

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I bet its even better under horrible conditions:

example, when I'm playing Day of Defeat and there are tons of sounds going on, my fps drops to almost nothing. I'd bet a faster sound board would help alleviate this problem.

but my fps just normally running around with nothing serious going on might not be noticeable.

fb

I can't believe you guys are talking about fps in a freakin sound card forum! I understand that it was in the original question, but seriously, how many guys out there buy a new sound card because they want more fps?

I don't give a crap that my rig is considered "out-dated" by todays standards...but guess what, she still sounds awesome.

Let's try to focus on the more important side of buying a new sound card, like the Audigy2. YOU GET BETTER SOUND.

I agree. If I were to get an Audigy 2, it would be for the SQ increase. FPS increase would be a secondary benefit. I think an Audigy 2 would be an upgrade that could last a long time, I'm strongly considering one myself.

I just got a hercules fortissimo III to replace my sB live value card. The quality is definitely improved - much richer overall.

I didn't notice any obvious FPS gain, but I think it's handling having tons of sounds playing at once better than before.

cheers,
fb

Seriously guys... i'm with xp1800.


Sound cards arent created merely to allow for for game performance... I mean hell, if you were so concerned, why not just disable sound much like the weight reduction in a race car, since it in fact takes away from this precious performance you are counting by the bean. Sarcasm aside, why not just take a momment, stop and hear the music.

I have an audigy 2, and m audio revo setup in adual configuration in my system. Unlike you guys I suppose, gaming isn't a major priority of mine. On that note, I'm prepared to sell my audigy2 next week, and replace it with an sblive or something, as my "gaming card". In fact, it was recommened to me for such sound quality? The card is no where near audiophile, and in fact the difference I noticed between that an sblive was mostly neglibile, aside from bloated drivers (To be honest, this is my opinion here). Gaming performance, who knows, I give up counting on that... My system is of par that the performance off an sblive would be neglibile (i think atleast, let's see and find out...)


To the thread starter, upgrade your sound card, or if you are feeling adventurous, look into stuff like Dacs, which I'm about to do real soon. If you want to increase performance, get one of those nforce2 motherboards everyone raves about... What can I say, what is your true goal? Just better sound? If you want awesome sound, and i mean awesome compared to what you have, a secondary soundcard such as the maudio revolution nice interconnects like a zucable pivot or mini-mini will make you a world of difference over what your used too right now.

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Originally posted by mjg
I'm prepared to sell my audigy2 next week, and replace it with an sblive or something, as my "gaming card".

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I'll trade ya. I have an SBlive 5.1 MP3+ and I'm going to upgrade to an Audigy 2 oem.:D Is your Audigy 2 oem or retail?

heh actually I'm sorry, it's already spoken for.

nice try tho : P It's not that I cared to trade down to a lesser card, I just didn't need it. Honestly I could be content leaving it in there, but a friend asked for it.

NP, at least I tried.;)