Halo 1 & 2 for PC
This topic has moved here: Subject: integrated audio or add-in sound card?
  • Subject: integrated audio or add-in sound card?
Subject: integrated audio or add-in sound card?
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is there much of a difference in terms of performance? i've read on www.soundmax.com that while add-in sound cards have their own processors to handle sound, integrated audio has a faster bus speed or something like that. Which of those two aspects is more important? Are there any other things to consider if i wanted to upgrade to an add-in sound card?

  • 08.01.2005 4:00 PM PDT

Proper sound cards provide a better aural experience. In-built is always crap (and I mean always).

  • 08.01.2005 4:05 PM PDT
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A soundcard will process the sound better and will give you many other features that an integrated chip won't. If you plan on doing audio editing, get a sound card, if you plan to play games, get a sound card, if you bought nice 5.1 SS Speakers, get a sound card, if you are deaf, get a soundcard. If none of these apply to you then you don't need a sound card.

  • 08.01.2005 5:05 PM PDT
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what's a good sound card that is under $100?

  • 08.01.2005 7:11 PM PDT
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One of the best ones out there, the Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy ZS 2 is around $100 - $110 canadian online.

  • 08.01.2005 9:17 PM PDT
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Make sure you have a system to go with it. Getting an Audigy 3 won't help you if all you have are the desktop speakers that came bundled with your eMachines box.

Integrated stuff in general always has a faster bus speed, but with audio, you'll notice the processing lag before you notice the bus lag (I have onboard and I personally don't notice that the sound is bad... I also have an Asus A7V333 - I don't know what kind of audio controller that packs, but it wasn't a bargain board...)

[Edited on 8/1/2005]

  • 08.01.2005 10:08 PM PDT
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Posted by: goweb
In-built is always crap (and I mean always).


Indeed. Once I got an Audigy 2 ZS I was amazed at how crappy my integrated was.

It's even better on a nice set of speakers. Like Inspire said, a good card will not help if your speakers are dirt cheap. At the very least, get a new 2.1 setup, but you can always snag a nice 5.1 for under $90.

[Edited on 8/2/2005]

  • 08.02.2005 12:04 AM PDT