Does a PCIE sound card matter?

rasmasyean · 11-24-2012, 11:46 AM

What's the difference between a PCIE sound card and a built-in motherboard sound? Is the difference as drastic as "onboard video" vs. "graphics card"? Do you really hear any difference...besides the fact that some can do 7.1 for more speakers, etc?

Do different brands/prices of sound cards really matter?

lsilvest · 11-25-2012, 05:54 AM

For most of us, especially non-gamers, the onboard is more than adequate. The cards are generally only used by some high-end gamers or those that can or just believe they hear something the rest of us don't.

Ty burton · 12-03-2012, 08:04 PM

I don't suppose motherboards offer surround sound already, or is it usually just 2.1 they offer you?

lsilvest · 12-03-2012, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty burton

I don't suppose motherboards offer surround sound already, or is it usually just 2.1 they offer you?

Most of them have 7.1 sound.

rasmasyean · 12-04-2012, 02:39 AM

I've seen that much of the "cheap" motherboards even have 5.1 or 7.1. But not all of them have SPDIF, if that really makes a difference. I suppose though, if you have "non-computer speakers", they may not have those various colorful jacks.

Ty burton · 12-04-2012, 07:19 AM

That's great then really. Rule number 96: always check motherboard specs before buying new soundcard

roowilkin · 12-10-2012, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasmasyean

I've seen that much of the "cheap" motherboards even have 5.1 or 7.1. But not all of them have SPDIF, if that really makes a difference. I suppose though, if you have "non-computer speakers", they may not have those various colorful jacks.

Didn't looked over this anytime...But good, got to know about it..and from next time would surely check for this!!

DuncanJones · 12-13-2012, 09:40 PM

Hello Friends,

There are too many variables to answer with a simple yes or no (for either option). Things that must be asked first are (and please note, everything here can be argued, so these are not absolute examples):
1. Speaker system: How good are the speakers? No matter what, the sound will always be "reproduced" by the speakers, so that's a critical element right there. You can have the best of the best soundcard, but the sound you will hear will suck coming from that stereo speaker set you stole from work (we all know what I am talking about).
2. Which soundcard vs which onboard audio? There are really and truly terrible soundcards out there, and yes, great quality onboard audio chips exist also.
3. Budget. Self-explanatory
4. Use. What are you using it for?
This issue is not quite the same as the onboard video vs dedicated video card, because the differences between those can be quantified (you can measure FPS, as an example) but how can you measure what sounds better? Ask 3 people to listen to something in a room (for quality) and all 3 will have different opinions.
As for the price and brand - yes, they do matter. You will always get better tech with higher models, and higher models always cost more. Brand does matter for driver support and "reliability", although there isn't a flood of options. I can think of 4 brands only, and they are all well respected brands. Stay away from generic brands (aka Best Buy brand, etc. - and yes they exist).

Thanks and Regards,
Duncan Jones

11-24-2012, 11:46 AM	#1
rasmasyean High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 60	Does a PCIE sound card matter? What's the difference between a PCIE sound card and a built-in motherboard sound? Is the difference as drastic as "onboard video" vs. "graphics card"? Do you really hear any difference...besides the fact that some can do 7.1 for more speakers, etc? Do different brands/prices of sound cards really matter?

12-03-2012, 08:04 PM	#3
Ty burton Freeeeeeedooooooom! LoL Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: I live in Britain in a county called Cheshire ( it's not a very interesting place). Posts: 129	I don't suppose motherboards offer surround sound already, or is it usually just 2.1 they offer you? __________________ "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." T.E.Lawrence http://mypsn.eu.playstation.com/psn/...eBurton125.png

12-04-2012, 07:19 AM	#6
Ty burton Freeeeeeedooooooom! LoL Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: I live in Britain in a county called Cheshire ( it's not a very interesting place). Posts: 129	That's great then really. Rule number 96: always check motherboard specs before buying new soundcard __________________ "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." T.E.Lawrence http://mypsn.eu.playstation.com/psn/...eBurton125.png

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11-25-2012, 05:54 AM	#2
lsilvest High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,508	For most of us, especially non-gamers, the onboard is more than adequate. The cards are generally only used by some high-end gamers or those that can or just believe they hear something the rest of us don't.

12-04-2012, 02:39 AM	#5
rasmasyean High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 60	I've seen that much of the "cheap" motherboards even have 5.1 or 7.1. But not all of them have SPDIF, if that really makes a difference. I suppose though, if you have "non-computer speakers", they may not have those various colorful jacks.

12-13-2012, 09:40 PM	#8
DuncanJones My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 5	Hello Friends, There are too many variables to answer with a simple yes or no (for either option). Things that must be asked first are (and please note, everything here can be argued, so these are not absolute examples): 1. Speaker system: How good are the speakers? No matter what, the sound will always be "reproduced" by the speakers, so that's a critical element right there. You can have the best of the best soundcard, but the sound you will hear will suck coming from that stereo speaker set you stole from work (we all know what I am talking about). 2. Which soundcard vs which onboard audio? There are really and truly terrible soundcards out there, and yes, great quality onboard audio chips exist also. 3. Budget. Self-explanatory 4. Use. What are you using it for? This issue is not quite the same as the onboard video vs dedicated video card, because the differences between those can be quantified (you can measure FPS, as an example) but how can you measure what sounds better? Ask 3 people to listen to something in a room (for quality) and all 3 will have different opinions. As for the price and brand - yes, they do matter. You will always get better tech with higher models, and higher models always cost more. Brand does matter for driver support and "reliability", although there isn't a flood of options. I can think of 4 brands only, and they are all well respected brands. Stay away from generic brands (aka Best Buy brand, etc. - and yes they exist). Thanks and Regards, Duncan Jones