How to choose a suitable soundcard for music and gaming?

nearownkira · 25th Sep 2007, 07:35 PM

what specification do u look before u buy a suitable sound card?I want to do a small request here, can someone write a small guide about sound card?

Adrian Wong · 25th Sep 2007, 10:36 PM

Ahhh.. We have a sound card buying guide coming up soon. Hang in there!

It's part of our PC Buying Guide. You can take a look at it while you wait.

PowerSlide · 26th Sep 2007, 04:30 AM

auzuntech prelude

PsYkHoTiK · 26th Sep 2007, 08:12 AM

Whatever it is, make sure it works with vista (as in actually having hardware acceleration).

Choices are limited to XFis and their derivatives (Auzentechs)

Falcone · 26th Sep 2007, 08:54 AM

I thought we have reached the threshold in terms of soundcard on pc? Seriously can it get any better than XFis.

I've been using Live Value for years

Chai · 26th Sep 2007, 08:59 AM

I honestly don't think there's a suitable card for both gaming and music. Most hardcore users have 2 sound cards in their system.

But if gaming is what you want, you really don't have much choices. XFi.

empire23 · 26th Sep 2007, 10:40 AM

That reminds me, i shalls moves up to a LynxTWO when i get the cash instead of spending it something useful

goldfries · 27th Sep 2007, 06:43 AM

Then again, suitable or not - depends on the user preference.

Some people just enjoy listening, they don't care much about the bass, treble, clarity, noise. Other on the other hand could be damn picky.

And let's not forget the speaker part too. Regardless how good a soundcard we recommend, a lousy speaker is enough to render the card useless, sound output would be no better than onboard audio systems.

And speaking of onboard audio systems, they're quite good - again depending on your taste.

I have an XFi with me right now, just haven't try it. Man, it's been more than 7 days since it came.

jomuj · 27th Sep 2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Some people just enjoy listening, they don't care much about the bass, treble, clarity, noise. Other on the other hand could be damn picky.

That's true, I sometimes think that it's all in peoples head, at least some of it. Most people aren't going to sit there and try and find imperfections in their audio.

And as you say goldfries, the sound you get is really dictated by your speakers. I have a pair of sennheiser 600's and plugged into my x-fi I think they sound great, though a bit more bass would be nice, but I don't think the card has enough oomph to drive them properly

. In the end, if you think it sounds good, then it's fine!

Also, let's not forget that the quality of your recording has allot to do with it, and how many computer users actually have their audio in lossless audio right?

Papercut · 27th Sep 2007, 07:10 PM

Aiiee, HD600 plugged directly into an X-Fi *cringe*

25th Sep 2007, 07:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
nearownkira Just Started Join Date: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 41 Reputation: 0 Rep Power: 0	How to choose a suitable soundcard for music and gaming? what specification do u look before u buy a suitable sound card?I want to do a small request here, can someone write a small guide about sound card?

25th Sep 2007, 10:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 30,382 Reputation: 3147 Rep Power: 68	Ahhh.. We have a sound card buying guide coming up soon. Hang in there! It's part of our PC Buying Guide. You can take a look at it while you wait. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

26th Sep 2007, 08:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
PsYkHoTiK "Little" Devil Join Date: 8 Apr 2004 Location: On the "throne" Posts: 14,385 Reputation: 4069 Rep Power: 59	Whatever it is, make sure it works with vista (as in actually having hardware acceleration). Choices are limited to XFis and their derivatives (Auzentechs) __________________ Intel SLAPL 4.3GHz @ 1.35v : 2x2GB OCZ Platinum DDR2 1066 : Asus P5K Premium : WD RE3 250GB x2 RAID 0 : 3ware 9650SE-2LP : G92 8800GTS 512mb 820MHz Core : XFi Platinum : Silverstone OP650 : Silverstone TJ-07 : Dtek FuZion CPU : Swiftech MCW60 : MCP655 : Thermochill PA120.3 w Scythe Ultra Kaze CPU-Z: SLAPL : SLA9U : FX-55 : DDR 600 : VX www.techarp.com PsYkHoTiK's Meanderings

26th Sep 2007, 08:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
Falcone Official Mascot Creator Join Date: 18 Dec 2002 Location: Kay El, Em Wai Posts: 3,209 Reputation: 1705 Rep Power: 27	I thought we have reached the threshold in terms of soundcard on pc? Seriously can it get any better than XFis. I've been using Live Value for years __________________ I'm a noob, my photos sucks, but if you can live with that... http://www.pumpkinproject.com/ Flickr

26th Sep 2007, 08:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 26,975 Reputation: 4108 Rep Power: 74	I honestly don't think there's a suitable card for both gaming and music. Most hardcore users have 2 sound cards in their system. But if gaming is what you want, you really don't have much choices. XFi. __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

26th Sep 2007, 04:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
PowerSlide Super Active Join Date: 28 Aug 2004 Location: Penang, Malaysia Posts: 1,402 Reputation: 871 Rep Power: 14	auzuntech prelude

26th Sep 2007, 10:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
empire23 BRB. Attacking Russia Join Date: 4 Feb 2006 Location: Ze Fatherland Posts: 280 Reputation: 390 Rep Power: 6	That reminds me, i shalls moves up to a LynxTWO when i get the cash instead of spending it something useful __________________ I'm in Ur Forums, Spamming Ur Boards.

27th Sep 2007, 06:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
goldfries More Than Meets The Eye Join Date: 22 Jan 2003 Location: KL/PJ Malaysia Posts: 7,877 Reputation: 539 Rep Power: 18	Then again, suitable or not - depends on the user preference. Some people just enjoy listening, they don't care much about the bass, treble, clarity, noise. Other on the other hand could be damn picky. And let's not forget the speaker part too. Regardless how good a soundcard we recommend, a lousy speaker is enough to render the card useless, sound output would be no better than onboard audio systems. And speaking of onboard audio systems, they're quite good - again depending on your taste. I have an XFi with me right now, just haven't try it. Man, it's been more than 7 days since it came. __________________ no computer specs \| no photography gear list \| no userbars \| no quotes

27th Sep 2007, 07:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Papercut Hold me back! I can't stop posting!!! Join Date: 14 Jul 2004 Location: Singapore! Posts: 5,009 Reputation: 2428 Rep Power: 34	Aiiee, HD600 plugged directly into an X-Fi cringe __________________ PC Specs "Use in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of n00bs. Overclock within 24 hours of opening. Do not read instructions before proceeding, do not use only as directed. May cause frustration, late nights and empty wallets. If symptoms persist please consult your hardware professional."

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