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Sound card??

WarHorse47

WarHorse47

SOH-CM-2024
I've been researching a replacement for my old computer, and have a question regarding sound.

My old computer has a dedicated Sound Blaster card, and nearly every new computer has an integrated card such as a "Integrated 7.1 with WAVE MAXXAudio 4."

Manufactures like Dell have sound cards available like the Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCI Express for $50.00, but I'm not sure if its worth the extra expense.

In reading the various SOH threads on new computers and upgrades, especially to run FSX, there never seems to be any suggestions or need for a sound card these days.

So in buying a new computer, is a sound card necessary? If so, how does it affect an integraded sound system?

All comments welcome.
:ernae:
Thanks
--WH
 
I am a sound guy, lol and I have found the onboard sound is OK if you get a kick butt sound system to add to it. This has been the norm for many years thats why addon sound cards died like the dinosaurs.
I resently bought an MP3 player the size of a quarter (mini SD card) and it kicks butt on my sound system and not too bad on ear plugs too.
 
Wow. Thanks for the fast response, guys. I can chalk this item off my list, as well as save $50.

I'm pretty sure my current sound system should do the job, if not I can always upgrade that later.

Interresting to note that when I talked to a local shop about building a new computer, they didn't mention the advantages/disadvantages of integrated vs. dedicated sound. They were willing to sell me a card, however.
:ernae:
--WH
 
I have heard repeatedly in the past that having a dedicated sound card relieves some of the load from the system processor and memory which would help FS 9 and 10. True or False?
 
Back in the "old" days, a dedicated sound card would free up some CPU processes and help when performance was an issue. Now, with CPUs being measured in billions of operations per second, worrying about the effect of generating sound isn't necessary, IMO.
 
Ickie said:
I am a sound guy, lol and I have found the onboard sound is OK if you get a kick butt sound system to add to it. This has been the norm for many years thats why addon sound cards died like the dinosaurs.
I resently bought an MP3 player the size of a quarter (mini SD card) and it kicks butt on my sound system and not too bad on ear plugs too.
Click to expand...
My problem with onboard sound is that none of 'em that I've found support SoundFonts, which is absolutely required by my Conn Artiste vPipe Organ. Currently the console is driving three ancient P4 computers with SoundBlaster AWE 64 cards installed.

This allows me to voice up to 192 unique SoundFonts simultaneously...

Unfortunately, since none of the "modern" sound cards support SoundFonts, nor do any of the onboard systems, once these P4 systems finally bite the dust my organ will revert to being only a huge waste of space... :pop4:
 
If you're an audiophile you'll probably use an external DAC anyways. Most consumer soundcards are no better than what is on the motherboard. There are a couple halfway decent ones out there, but they are $$$.
 
I am a guy who loves sound....my wife calls me Mr. Noisy for a reason! I have found that on-board sound chips are just fine, when paired with a nice set of puter speakers. The speakers on my system are so-so.....had a nice 5.1 channel set but they got moved to the living room and plugged into the DVD player....wife said my JVC A/V receiver, 500-watt Sony sub-woofer and 4 large floor speakers were taking up too much space...I said that the 1500 watt sound system was critical to my enjoyment of movies. Unfortunately...she won, the sound system was sold, and my 5.1 channel puter speaker set up went to the living room.

Now that my wife has her computer set up in the Office/Sim Room....I have to do all of my flying with headphones on...cheap ones at that....so the speakers hooked to my puter just don't matter any longer........but somehow, she never has to wear headphones while watching her soap opera on line.....I think I just thought of a Christmas present for her.

Tim
 
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