Older Sound Blaster cards

[Dave65]

Hey guys, I have two sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS cards and a Sound Blaster Live card and was wondering if these are still worth using over on board sound, or should i just recycle them..thanks

 

[jojo69]

I know I am going to get hellflamed for this

but I have always found people worrying about this or that hardware to play low bitrate, compressed MP3s through 4" speakers to be lol

 

[Dave65]

I just wonder if there is any good from these in this day and age, or should I just chuck them..

 

[cyclone3d]

If you play any games that actually use the hardware features, then yes, they are definitely way better.

And the Audigy 2 ZS is about the best card you can get for use with a Win98 retro box.

Either way, I would hang on to them or sell them on Ebay at least.

If you really just want to get rid of them, I would pay shipping + a little more.

 

[jojo69]

I would agree, at least offer them to retro enthusiasts, if you get no joy on ebay or FS/T try The [H]ardForum Perpetual Freebies Thread

 

[B00nie]

I know I am going to get hellflamed for this

but I have always found people worrying about this or that hardware to play low bitrate, compressed MP3s through 4" speakers to be lol

*cough* Headphones *cough*

 

[GotNoRice]

Hey guys, I have two sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS cards and a Sound Blaster Live card and was wondering if these are still worth using over on board sound, or should i just recycle them..thanks

We need a bit more context. What are you planning to use them for? What are the specs of your onboard? What operating system are you running?

The Sound Blaster Live is ancient. I don't think it even has drivers for anything beyond XP. The Audigy 2 ZS at least has Microsoft drivers that work with Windows 10 (without creative control panels, etc), and official Windows 7 drivers from creative that may or may not work in 10. I have one in my HTPC right now, that i'm just using as a digital output, but at least I know the Microsoft drivers for the card works.

The Audigy 2 ZS is a very old card at this point. At the same time, average quality of onboard audio has significantly increased. That being said, the Audigy 2 ZS is still a good sounding card, and there are still plenty of crap onboard implementations out there. Really your best bet is to try it and see what you like better.

There was this recent thread where someone asked about an Audigy 2 ZS, you will likely find helpful info there also.
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1874782

 

[B00nie]

I would be mentally prepared to dump any PCI based solutions anyway. It's only a matter of time when PCI lanes cease to exist in mainstream computers. Some already have dumped them.

 

[Snufykat]

Recycle.

 

[Dave65]

Running windows 10 on a Gigabyte UD5H-BK Z97, and it has a PCI slot still..I guess I will put it in and try it out if it makes that big a difference..I don't use speakers, just a set of mid range head phones..Thanks guys for all your input..Much appreciated

 

[GotNoRice]

A discrete sound card will always be much better than the on board chip.

I used one from my previous build, the Audigy X Gamer, used for 10 years and still going strong in my 2nd system and now, I have the Z and what a huge difference.

I will never use any on-board sound chip, they're worthless.

I am a big proponent of using dedicated cards, but I don't think these kinds of broad generalizations really help anyone. There are onboard implementations that are quite good. It varies between motherboards, and I would still say more are bad than are good, but it's not a given anymore. Just the same there are plenty of crap soundcards out there.

 

[Mr. Bluntman]

I would agree, at least offer them to retro enthusiasts, if you get no joy on ebay or FS/T try The [H]ardForum Perpetual Freebies Thread

Don't forget about AmiBay. I've tried selling some retro stuff on here and had zero takers, but AmiBay is all about the retro.