What to do for sound?

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 28, 2004, 04:32 PM

Whats better? I'm not a wizzard with sound cards other then I need them to work and good and I know the sound card can adversely affect my gameing performance....

Here is my question boards are comeing out with new new chips on board...
like with the new nforce4 line i'm seeing onboard soultions like....

ALC 850 8 channel
Nvidia 7.1 channel

It used to be cards like crative cards were all ways better and faster then onboard? But now that there putting better chips "on boad" I'm not exactly sure does that still hold true today? Like is it better to use onboard or pick up a cheap card like "Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit 7.1" ?

Also is there really that huge of difference for what I do (gameing) in what
card I chose I mean what should I look at picking up. Last card I had was a SB live 16bit 5.1 and I was happy to get that

big step from the ac97 crap I had onboard. I do have a 5.1 PC speaker system but I useally just use my headphones anymore.

What would I better off getting? And would I be able to notice (see / hear) the differnce

sound Blaster Live! 24-bit 7.1
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-177&depa=0

Sound Blaster Audigy
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-166&depa=0

Sound Blaster Audigy 2
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-179&depa=0

Sound Blaster Audigy 2 zs....

(Cost is an important factor as well !!!....)

**dj_stick** · Dec 28, 2004, 11:54 PM

the difference between the standard audigy 2 (not the value card) and the standard audigy 2 zs is minimal. Just the ZS has 7.1 as opposed to 6.1 in the normal audigy. The audio quality is also a step up from the Audigy series (believe me, i have heard it myself

) Same with the step between the Lvie! and the Audigy.

The Audigy 1 series is also only 5.1. As for the SB Live 24 Bit, it doesn't use the standard 10k1 chip of the Live! series, and may be mostly software based, like the external CL cards and the Audigy LS. I think i read somewhere that it uses the same chip as the Audigy LS, just lower quality components. In any case if this is true, it will have a higher CPU load than true 10kx (audigy, live) cards (proven by several reviews i have read - sorry no links though).

As for onboard sound, as these chips get more complex and powerful (think the nForce's APU), they will take away load on the CPU… The only way to prove if one board is like that is to test it in comparison to an add-on card that is hardware based.

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 29, 2004, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

the difference between the standard audigy 2 (not the value card) and the standard audigy 2 zs is minimal. Just the ZS has 7.1 as opposed to 6.1 in the normal audigy. The audio quality is also a step up from the Audigy series (believe me, i have heard it myself

) Same with the step between the Lvie! and the Audigy.

The Audigy 1 series is also only 5.1. As for the SB Live 24 Bit, it doesn't use the standard 10k1 chip of the Live! series, and may be mostly software based, like the external CL cards and the Audigy LS. I think i read somewhere that it uses the same chip as the Audigy LS, just lower quality components. In any case if this is true, it will have a higher CPU load than true 10kx (audigy, live) cards (proven by several reviews i have read - sorry no links though).

As for onboard sound, as these chips get more complex and powerful (think the nForce's APU), they will take away load on the CPU… The only way to prove if one board is like that is to test it in comparison to an add-on card that is hardware based.

I found a good compair page

http://www.soundblaster.com/products...ro/compare.asp

Your right It seems it is more of a "soft" sound card ... kinda like a "software modem" relying more on you CPU. least thats what I assume from it missing Hardware Acceleration of EAX &/or EAX ADVANCED HD.

hmmm.... I need to do more shopping around

Robert McClelland · Dec 29, 2004, 04:32 AM

you can get Audigy 4 hhehe

Chaos · Dec 29, 2004, 02:47 PM

Neon unless you have a sweet set of speakers i would just stick with the ALC 850

DarkFoss · Jan 2, 2005, 11:47 PM

I bought the Audigy2zs last night, at Best Buy. They had a 10% discount 98.44 out the door . It rocks compared to the alc 850 onboard, even on my low end Creative Inspiron 5300's the difference is huge. I was highly disappointed by the sound quality of this onboard solution. Sounds were missing in UT2K3/4, Eq, EQ2, very poor bass in music, poor sound in dvd playback.
After setting up this rig I was missing my SoundStorm within 5 minutes of firing up a game. If you game listen to music watch dvd's on yer comp do yourself a favor and buy one. Hell I'll bet a TurtleBeach sound card would be far far superior to the alc 850.

**dj_stick** · Jan 3, 2005, 12:37 AM

a turtlebeach card might even have better audio quality than an audigy 2…

DarkFoss · Jan 3, 2005, 03:57 AM

hehe oops that last bit did come off like a jab at Turtlebeach didn't it? Sorry

I've never owned one, and what I've read has been mostly positive. I almost bought the Catalina last weekend.. The main reason I didn't give it a try is EQ2.
In the sound options you can select Eax 2, 3 or 4. I wasn't sure if the TB card would support all of them so I went with the sure thing.

**dj_stick** · Jan 3, 2005, 05:49 AM

i doubt the TB cards have any sort of EAX

MasterBaiter · Jan 4, 2005, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj_stick

i doubt the TB cards have any sort of EAX

They do, but it's most likely only EAX/2, and only in software. Sound quality for music is probably on par and may be better than Creatives cards. I think the TB Catalina may be using the VIA Envy24HT chipset, which is great for audio (terrible for gaming though).

caverob · Jan 23, 2006, 11:05 PM

Hello!
Someone cann tell me whats is basic different in Audigy2Value and AudigySE.
Basicaly i wana know different in CPU usage on this Sound Blasters.
Whats is better to buy?
Audigy2Value have some other cool things without EAX4 on what i spend monney?

Thanks

Sorry for bad english

pr0digal jenius · Jan 23, 2006, 11:58 PM

The audigy 2 will walk circles around the audigy, but I'd get a "real" one and not the Value version, simply due to the increased CPU useage of the value version

sovietdoc · Jan 26, 2006, 10:10 PM

Is it just me or 8 channel and 7.1 are the same thing ? o_O

**dj_stick** · Jan 26, 2006, 10:46 PM

PJ both the audiy 2 and the A2Value are hardware accelerated, there should be no difference in CPU usage - it's the audigy 1 value you have to worry about

oh and 7.1 is 8 channels so yes they are the same

**temeteus82** · Jan 26, 2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sovietdoc

Is it just me or 8 channel and 7.1 are the same thing ? o_O

7.1 = 7 normal speakers 1 = subwoofer....
in other words, front right, front center, front left, midle right, midle left, rear right, rear left and subwoofer!

Robert McClelland · Jan 27, 2006, 12:29 AM

lol why would someone bring up old thread up from last year? hehe

Dec 28, 2004, 04:32 PM	#1
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	What should to do for sound? Onboard? SBlive? Whats better? I'm not a wizzard with sound cards other then I need them to work and good and I know the sound card can adversely affect my gameing performance.... Here is my question boards are comeing out with new new chips on board... like with the new nforce4 line i'm seeing onboard soultions like.... ALC 850 8 channel Nvidia 7.1 channel It used to be cards like crative cards were all ways better and faster then onboard? But now that there putting better chips "on boad" I'm not exactly sure does that still hold true today? Like is it better to use onboard or pick up a cheap card like "Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit 7.1" ? Also is there really that huge of difference for what I do (gameing) in what card I chose I mean what should I look at picking up. Last card I had was a SB live 16bit 5.1 and I was happy to get that big step from the ac97 crap I had onboard. I do have a 5.1 PC speaker system but I useally just use my headphones anymore. What would I better off getting? And would I be able to notice (see / hear) the differnce sound Blaster Live! 24-bit 7.1 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-177&depa=0 Sound Blaster Audigy http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-166&depa=0 Sound Blaster Audigy 2 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...102-179&depa=0 Sound Blaster Audigy 2 zs.... (Cost is an important factor as well !!!....) __________________ Last edited by The_Neon_Cowboy; Dec 28, 2004 at 06:42 PM.

Dec 29, 2004, 04:32 AM	#4
Robert McClelland PAX Tweaker, PAX Expert. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Somewhere in Wood County Ohio Same Town :) Posts: 10,617 Rep Power: 196 System Specs	you can get Audigy 4 hhehe __________________ "XTREME AUDIO IS CRAP!" "There no support for it. It's crapist card on face of the earth it should be throw into the sun" http://www.speedtest.net/result/1949536385.png

Dec 29, 2004, 02:47 PM	#5
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,268 Rep Power: 167 System Specs	Neon unless you have a sweet set of speakers i would just stick with the ALC 850 __________________

Jan 2, 2005, 11:47 PM	#6
DarkFoss HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Downers Grove IL Posts: 688 Rep Power: 0	I bought the Audigy2zs last night, at Best Buy. They had a 10% discount 98.44 out the door . It rocks compared to the alc 850 onboard, even on my low end Creative Inspiron 5300's the difference is huge. I was highly disappointed by the sound quality of this onboard solution. Sounds were missing in UT2K3/4, Eq, EQ2, very poor bass in music, poor sound in dvd playback. After setting up this rig I was missing my SoundStorm within 5 minutes of firing up a game. If you game listen to music watch dvd's on yer comp do yourself a favor and buy one. Hell I'll bet a TurtleBeach sound card would be far far superior to the alc 850. __________________ Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety,deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin, 1755

Jan 3, 2005, 03:57 AM	#8
DarkFoss HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Downers Grove IL Posts: 688 Rep Power: 0	hehe oops that last bit did come off like a jab at Turtlebeach didn't it? Sorry I've never owned one, and what I've read has been mostly positive. I almost bought the Catalina last weekend.. The main reason I didn't give it a try is EQ2. In the sound options you can select Eax 2, 3 or 4. I wasn't sure if the TB card would support all of them so I went with the sure thing. __________________ Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety,deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Ben Franklin, 1755

Jan 23, 2006, 11:05 PM	#11
caverob DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	Hello! Someone cann tell me whats is basic different in Audigy2Value and AudigySE. Basicaly i wana know different in CPU usage on this Sound Blasters. Whats is better to buy? Audigy2Value have some other cool things without EAX4 on what i spend monney? Thanks Sorry for bad english

Jan 23, 2006, 11:58 PM	#12
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	The audigy 2 will walk circles around the audigy, but I'd get a "real" one and not the Value version, simply due to the increased CPU useage of the value version

Jan 26, 2006, 10:10 PM	#13
sovietdoc DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 121 Rep Power: 0	Is it just me or 8 channel and 7.1 are the same thing ? o_O __________________

Jan 27, 2006, 12:29 AM	#16
Robert McClelland PAX Tweaker, PAX Expert. Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Somewhere in Wood County Ohio Same Town :) Posts: 10,617 Rep Power: 196 System Specs	lol why would someone bring up old thread up from last year? hehe __________________ "XTREME AUDIO IS CRAP!" "There no support for it. It's crapist card on face of the earth it should be throw into the sun" http://www.speedtest.net/result/1949536385.png