Sound Caard and Gaming?

RogueDOc · Mar 6, 2008, 11:20 PM

How much does the sound card have on gaming performance? I have an old Soundblaster LIVE! card. My system is older, and i was wondering how much the sound card has on game performance.

Vikingod · Mar 7, 2008, 01:48 AM

Typically, having a soundcard can improve performance, as it will free up cpu cycles. However, if you are running high quality sound, and enabling features like EAX, you might see a slowdown.

Over all, I think having the better quality sound is worth a couple frames.

RogueDOc · Mar 7, 2008, 10:30 PM

Ok. Thanks! I'll look into getting a new sound card.

**dj_stick** · Mar 7, 2008, 11:03 PM

actually EAX tends to increase the framerate, taking away the soundprocessing from the CPU and loading it on the 10kX/20kX chip on the card

RogueDOc · Mar 7, 2008, 11:22 PM

I currently have a Soundblaster LIVE! Value. It came with my Dell. What would you suggest for my system, see specs to the left. Thanks!

**dj_stick** · Mar 7, 2008, 11:48 PM

if the games you play support hardware mixing/acceleration and EAX - then there's no real reason to upgrade, unless you want the newer EAX formats provided by the x-fi and the like

**kris23** · Mar 8, 2008, 12:02 AM

X-fi Prelude man

Mar 6, 2008, 11:20 PM	#1
RogueDOc DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Sound Caard and Gaming? How much does the sound card have on gaming performance? I have an old Soundblaster LIVE! card. My system is older, and i was wondering how much the sound card has on game performance.

Mar 8, 2008, 12:02 AM	#7
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	X-fi Prelude man __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Mar 7, 2008, 01:48 AM	#2
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 111 System Specs	Typically, having a soundcard can improve performance, as it will free up cpu cycles. However, if you are running high quality sound, and enabling features like EAX, you might see a slowdown. Over all, I think having the better quality sound is worth a couple frames.

Mar 7, 2008, 10:30 PM	Thread Starter #3
RogueDOc DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Ok. Thanks! I'll look into getting a new sound card.

Mar 7, 2008, 11:22 PM	Thread Starter #5
RogueDOc DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 9 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I currently have a Soundblaster LIVE! Value. It came with my Dell. What would you suggest for my system, see specs to the left. Thanks!