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Just Something Simple for Crying out Loud!!!!

J

JHB

n00b
Joined
Jan 20, 2012
Messages
43
Howdy!

I'm getting parts ready for a new build, either Sandy Bridge or Ivy. The two motherboards I'm debating between are the Z68 Maximus Gene IV or the Z77 Maximus Gene V. Both boards have decent on board audio, but everyone still says to get a dedicated sound card. All I do is play a few games, listen to random mp3's, and sometimes play a YouTube song. I have the Klipsh 2.1 Pro-media that I sometimes use but game primarily with the creative fatality headphones. I refuse to pay over $100 for a darn sound card when I'm not an audiophile! Can you kind folks recommend a sound card, with decent drivers, works fine with Windows 7x64, and is better than the boards listed above? I saw a Asus Xonar DG on Newegg for $24 which is right up my price alley! Will this card be better than on board?
 
Well soundcards do improve sound quality and tend to have surround virtualizers for headphones gaming, (CMSS3D or Dolby Headphone) but if you do not care about those then go for onboard, they work just fine. Soundcards have lost quite a bit of their meaning thanks to software audio effects, sound quality and some extra features are the only reasons why you would want a dedicated soundcard in this day.
 
Thanks MaZa! So the new SupremeFX 3 audio on the Maximus V Gene is fine for the occasional mp3, gaming and movie watching?
 
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Thanks BurntToast!

It looks like I have to get the Xonar DX instead since the Maximus V Gene doesn't have a PCI slot, only PCIe!
 
I'm assuming now that "non gaming" headphones are better than what Creative, Corsair, and Razor offer for gaming! Am I correct?
 
There is a HUGE sound difference from onboard to dedicated sound cards still.

I love my Creative X-Fi Titanium with klipsch 2.1 setup.
 
i2abid said:
+1 for the xonar dg. I love building systems with that sound card.
Click to expand...

People, learn to read the entire thread before commenting! He needs a PCI-E card.

JHB said:
I'm assuming now that "non gaming" headphones are better than what Creative, Corsair, and Razor offer for gaming! Am I correct?
Click to expand...

Correct, gaming headphones are not going to be able to match the sound quality or fit and finish of dedicated audiophile grade headphones, although the gamer cans do offer some convenient features like integrated mics and USB DACs.

If you favor sound quality over convenience, you'd be much better of with a good set of headphones from a brand like Audio Technica, Sennheiser, Shure, Beyerdynamic, Denon, etc (many more). If you're interested in exploring a headphone replacement, give me a budget and I'd be happy to help you find something suitable to your needs.

The Xonar DX is a great choice to pair with your Klipsch speakers-they're a good source with a very clean sound signature. The drivers are a bit basic (lacking features like CMSS), but if you just need a no frills clean analog output the DX will do it perfectly.

I haven't heard the onboard sound on the Gene, but from my experience, every time I've used a Xonar card in a build, it's been a night and day difference compared to the onboard sound (usually realtek). It's definitely an upgrade worth making if you've got some decent audio equipment to feed. My STX still impresses me on a day to day basis with how great it sounds-it totally brought my speakers to life!
 
Samson SR850 & JVC HA-RX700 are two good budget options if you want to try out something besides gaming headsets, they're around $30-40, pair them with a $5 Zalman clip-on mic. If you want something better it'd depend entirely on budget, music genre preference, whether you need them to isolate or not, weekender you'd favor sound stage over bass, etc.
 
Impulse said:
Samson SR850 & JVC HA-RX700 are two good budget options if you want to try out something besides gaming headsets, they're around $30-40, pair them with a $5 Zalman clip-on mic. If you want something better it'd depend entirely on budget, music genre preference, whether you need them to isolate or not, weekender you'd favor sound stage over bass, etc.
Click to expand...

Both are good, Also consider UR40's, Superlux 681, Monoprice 8323 and the Panasonic HTF 600.
 
My vote is to go with the on-board sound. You can always add in a sound card later if you don't like it, but given your usage profile I think the built in ASUS offerings will be simple and satisfying for you.
 
my-name-here said:
if you aren't an audiophile there is zero need for a sound card with current motherboards.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly... If you feel the need for better sound or for better positional audio in games then consider alternatives. Otherwise, don't bother.
 
LoL!!!! Man, I am even more confused now with all the different replies! What I will do is find a board with a PCI slot and throw in the Xonar_DG. Its only $24, I spend more than that at Baskin Robins for ice cream with the wife and kids! Thanks guys/gals!
 
JHB said:
LoL!!!! Man, I am even more confused now with all the different replies! What I will do is find a board with a PCI slot and throw in the Xonar_DG. Its only $24, I spend more than that at Baskin Robins for ice cream with the wife and kids! Thanks guys/gals!
Click to expand...

The Asus Xonar DG (PCI) sound card, best price at Newegg.
Comes with Dolby Digital, headphone surround sound for movies and games.
Works fine with headphones up to 150-Ohms.
Sound cards usually come with better DACs (Digital to Analog Converters) then what comes built into motherboards.

The Xonar DG does a better job of powering headphones then the Xonar DS/DX/D1.
 
I used to use onboard sound but after reading the sound blaster reviews here at Hard I purchased the USB xfi. Truly, after switching I will never go back.
 
Asus DG is good for the price. The GX function is bullcrap though and pretty damn useless. Causes a lot of problems with newer games. To me all it does makes sounds louder but you just do that by turning up your volume by speakers or volume. Useless crap!!!
 
iplayCS said:
Asus DG is good for the price. The GX function is bullcrap though and pretty damn useless. Causes a lot of problems with newer games. To me all it does makes sounds louder but you just do that by turning up your volume by speakers or volume. Useless crap!!!
Click to expand...

Just leave it in HF (hifi) mode, it's the most transparent setting
 
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