TehPLayerer

Hello,
I am building a new computer and I do not know what to do sound card-wise. I do love music and sound, but to be honest I can not tell much of a difference between sound cards, but I have the understanding that using a dedicated card for sound can offload some work from your cpu. That is something that is a big deal for me. I do not, however, know if better sound cards do it...well... better.
My new build is already expensive enough, and seeing how I can't tell much of a difference between sound cards, I wouldn't like to spend the extra money if I don't have to.
So here is my question: do better sound cards result in better a better performing processor at all (if even just a little)?
Thank you

BlankThis

I'm in the same boat as you on this one. I'd say the cheapest card that support 7.1 and you're FINE.

Good luck!

~B~

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Demosquad01

depends how much you're willing to spend on a card. I personally recommend the Razer Barracuda, but its a little expensive with many places selling it at ~$150. But if you have vista then you could be waiting a little while, like, for them to come out. But then again it could just be me waiting for vista 64 bit drivers (which are not out yet). Most of the x-fi's seem like they'd be ok, although many have complaints about drivers.

Yes, a sound card will definitely help performance, since any sound card you get has some sort of audio processor. But the better the soundcard the more powerful and hence better performance. But the performance difference between say and x-fi music and an x-fi gamer, i can't imagine there's be a huge performance increase there, but the sound quality and effects might be better.

TehPLayerer

Thank you.
I didn't think that the quality of card would affect that, but you never know.
Also: does the interface matter at all? I know that most cards are PCI but there are some PCI express out there. Is there a difference? (Besides not letting me use tri-sli )

Flatliner

not to be picky, but you should add your system specs in the User CP.

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TehPLayerer

I was just about to do that. I was hesitant because (1) I don't have it ordered/built yet and (2) my decisions get me a lot of heat sometimes and I wouldn't want it to pull away from a thread if someone notices (for example) that I want to use ddr3.

BlankThis

Probably a boost in sound quality but again I hardly notice the difference unless it's surround sound.

~B~

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triggerc

Sound cards do take some load off of the CPU, but it is so negligent that I'm surprised that companies are making a big deal about it at all. Most people here in the sound forum buy sound cards to improve sound quality. If you have a decent pair of headphones or speakers you should be able to notice the differenct between onboard and dedicated sound card pretty easily, provided that the sound is coming from a good source.

I'd like to point out that more speakers != better sound.

BlankThis

Yeah but I've seen boards with on board surround and it sounds awful compared to a low to mid end PCI card.

~B~

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TehPLayerer

Okay, thank you. I have been thinking about what I am going to be using this computer for and I think that maybe I wouldn't mind having a nice sound card, especially because it helps the cpu performance (however negligibly). Are $200 sound cards like the Auzentehc Prelude or the Asus Xonar worth it?