Syribo
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2008
- Messages
- 1,515
My Creative X-Fi Xtreme PCI-Express sound card that came with my MSI P7N Diamond motherboard back when I put my old build together back in 2008 just bit the dust finally. I was using the optical input on it, but I've since been using the on-board audio with my new build (MSI Gaming 5 motherboard with Audio Boost 2) for now, but using analog since there's no digital input.
My question is.. I wanted to replace it with a new on-board sound card, so I bought a Sound Blaster Z (Didn't receive the package yet though).. Just wondering if it will actually be an upgrade in any way or form to the on-board audio I'm using now, since my X-Fi one died?
I don't have anything fancy as far as audio stuff goes.. I'm still using my Z-5500's I also bought back in 2007/8. I switch a lot between using the speakers, and using a headset (I have a pair of A40's for when I need the mic, and a pair of Sennheiser HD555's for when I don't). I do listen to quite a bit of music, but I also am playing video games pretty consistently while on my PC. Also watch a fair bit of movies, anime, TV shows, etc... pretty much do everything on here.
Even if I get just a little bit of improvement in my sound, the $99 on the Sound Blaster Z would be worth it to me.. I just can't afford to go for something in a higher price range, unfortunately. I'm not THAT picky though.. I used a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 for about 7 years until I upgraded that system, then used the X-Fi Xtreme for the last 8 years, even put it into my new build.. until the card finally died. But I do like decent sound all-around.
I'm not even sure, honestly, if I should be using the TOSLINK.. or if I should just be using analog, for best sound? I use an optical switcher to go to both my TV and my computer from the Z-5500's... I never really thought about it though, I wonder how much that might degrade my sound.. Would you say a switcher would degrade the sound a noticeable amount?
Should I stick with the on-board sound? Or will the Sound Blaster Z give me even just a bit of difference to my setup?
My question is.. I wanted to replace it with a new on-board sound card, so I bought a Sound Blaster Z (Didn't receive the package yet though).. Just wondering if it will actually be an upgrade in any way or form to the on-board audio I'm using now, since my X-Fi one died?
I don't have anything fancy as far as audio stuff goes.. I'm still using my Z-5500's I also bought back in 2007/8. I switch a lot between using the speakers, and using a headset (I have a pair of A40's for when I need the mic, and a pair of Sennheiser HD555's for when I don't). I do listen to quite a bit of music, but I also am playing video games pretty consistently while on my PC. Also watch a fair bit of movies, anime, TV shows, etc... pretty much do everything on here.
Even if I get just a little bit of improvement in my sound, the $99 on the Sound Blaster Z would be worth it to me.. I just can't afford to go for something in a higher price range, unfortunately. I'm not THAT picky though.. I used a Sound Blaster Audigy 2 for about 7 years until I upgraded that system, then used the X-Fi Xtreme for the last 8 years, even put it into my new build.. until the card finally died. But I do like decent sound all-around.
I'm not even sure, honestly, if I should be using the TOSLINK.. or if I should just be using analog, for best sound? I use an optical switcher to go to both my TV and my computer from the Z-5500's... I never really thought about it though, I wonder how much that might degrade my sound.. Would you say a switcher would degrade the sound a noticeable amount?
Should I stick with the on-board sound? Or will the Sound Blaster Z give me even just a bit of difference to my setup?