Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: carlin on December 19, 2007, 07:34:47 PM
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Hi i am currently using a integrated soundcard that came with my PC when i bought it, usually they are rubbish so I was wondering if i should buy a new one?
My speakers are
Creative Labs I-Trigue L3450 speakers (2.1)
If I should buy a new 1 then give me an example. I was thinking of a CREATIVE X-FI but that just might be a waste of money
Thanks in advance
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If you have XP , THATS A WONDERFUL CARD. It' really not important unless you crave the best in your stuff..you have to be pretty good to tell all the differences but I like my Creative X-FI /(Fatality Hi-Fi Soundcard) .... I actually caught it on sale one week at circuit s***ty for 100.00 *
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"rubbish", oh, not necessarily. Onboard sound may be fine. Go by your actual experience and wants. If you're listen to music a lot and really aren't satisfied with your sound, that would be a valid reason for installing an add-on sound card. Or, perhaps you play certain games where sound is a major element and you want better sound. But, for the things many computers do with their computers on a daily basis, onboard sound may be fine.
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If you have XP , THATS A WONDERFUL CARD.
??? What does XP have to do with it?
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Ok, thanks for the fast replies. I don't actually don't know if the sound meets my needs yet as i won't have my speakers until christmas. Ill wait until i get them hooked up before deciding.
One more question.
I hear that buying a soundcard relieves the CPU of having to process the sound? Does this slow the CPU by much?
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If you have XP , THATS A WONDERFUL CARD.
??? What does XP have to do with it?
there are a lot of people who have had problems with this particular card and vista.* "drivers"
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If you have XP , THATS A WONDERFUL CARD.
??? What does XP have to do with it?
there are a lot of people who have had problems with this particular card and vista.* "drivers"
Also with Win2K.
A dedicated sound card does take the work off the CPU when playing sounds, however it's not usually much of a burden for modern CPUs.
One specific area where a dedicated sound card rocks the socks off onboard sound is in gaming - much better sound quality and directional positioning (even with 2.1 sound like me, it's useful to know what side an enemy is on) plus potentially better frame rates.
If you play a lot of games, or really like your music to sound good, a dedicated card is a great investment.
Just avoid the Audigy SE and the X-Fi Xtreme Audio cards.