Enhancing Audio: Do You Really Need a Sound Card

[@metaleater9]

The audio enhancement features of a sound card are highly underrated because they are not properly explained at all, For example the "surround" slider in my Sound Blaster Z adjusts how upmixes stereo audio into 5.1 channel audio.

[@greatwavefan397]

That's actually really cool

[@2MichalChojnowski2]

You can modify sound also with an integrated audio via software like Realtek Audio Console.

[@TheGameBench]

If you're using analog outputs, a sound card is always going to have an advantage to on-board, but are you going to hear it? Probably not. I used to insist on them in my builds, and I can tell the difference. However, my last sound card, while it sounded good, was constantly having driver issues and I got tired of it and moved to an external DAC, which uses the onboard optical output, and a DAC would be my suggestion if you're even somewhat serious about audio, but you're going to need the speakers or cans to really make the difference. I will never use a sound card in a modern build again.

[@justanobody4983]

If you want better auido, soundcard is not a good idea. Get a decent dac/amp combo for 100-150 and headphones costing the same amount, youll notice the difference. I have spent more on audio than my whole pc because i cant do low res. Its rewarding to me since im picky about it.

[@mattsev9134]

Agreed. When I upgraded my headphone setup in the bedroom (Burson Conductor 3xr + Hifiman Arya) I hooked up the old Ifi Zen Dac 2 + Hifiman Sundara's to my PC and have been pretty happy. And when I'm not using the headphones I use an SMSL A300 amp and Q-Acoustic 3020i speakers. I got bit by the audiophile bug during the pandemic and haven't looked back since :)

[@mttrashcan-bg1ro]

Yeah I started with just a Magni Heresy when I got my HD58X Jubilee and worked my way up to now a Jotunheim 2 and Bifrost 2/64 with a Focal Clear MG. For music it's glorious, for gaming it feels like cheating.

[@mattsev9134]

@@mttrashcan-bg1ro Oh nice! I've been wanting to try a Bifrost 2/64 as well as either the Focal Clear OG or MG. Once you get started in this hobby it's hard to stop as I'm always wondering what other equipment will sound like in comparison to what I have. I also have a seperate 2 channel setup: Wiim Pro >> Denafrips Ares II >> Schiit Saga+ >> Schiit Aegir >> Zu Dirty Weekend mkii's. The Schiit stuff is good!

[@itstheweirdguy]

I had a weird issue where I had a motherboard that had coil whine with a certain GPU, and I had to use one of those cheap 5$ chinese knockoff usb soundcards that's just a little cable with usb on one end, and green/pink 3.5mm connectors...Fixed the coil whine and sounded the same as the realtek, without the coil whine going through the sound...That's the last time I needed a soundcard. I changed GPU's and I was able to get rid of it and use onboard. My Athlon XP had an audigy 2 but after that onboard worked fine and I didn't desire a sound card. I like USB audio a lot solves a lot of problems.

[@Huttify]

Thank you for mentioning "usb soundcard"! I have been wondering about many solutions to my static sound problem, and the usb soundcard was her all along.

[@l67swap1]

If you plan on using real speakers or high end audiophile headphones ... Yes you do ... I have the ae9 and its great especially with some Klipsch bookshelves or meze headphones

[@mttrashcan-bg1ro]

I would always go with the external options though, as you can buy bigger ones like a Bifrost DAC or an Asgard Amplifier that push harder to drive headphones and have better quality audio than I'd imagine anything inside your PC would provide. If you really don't want to waste desk space and don't care about there extra PCIe card then internal is fine.

[@PedanticTwit]

The question can't be answered until you know _how the speakers are connected._ If you're connecting your speakers/headphones/soundbar/receiver via digital (HDMI, toslink, USB, etc.), then a sound card literally does nothing. It doesn't matter whether it's an onboard, PCIE, or external processor, because it's straight-up _not being used._ The sound card _literally_ only matters if you're using an analog connection; i.e., the 3.5mm jacks.

[@greatwavefan397]

Likewise from what I remember, the best digital sound will come from the GPU via HDMI

[@PedanticTwit]

@@greatwavefan397 Actually, as long as (1) the signal stays digital until it gets where it's going, and (2) there's no signal degradation or corruption, it doesn't matter whether the cable is plugged into the GPU, the mobo, or whatever. Because digital is ones and zeros rather than continuous waveforms. The more you know. 🌠

[@villainpriest]

Do you use a sound card in your HTPC? I loved your HTPC coffee lake build. Hope you update this soon!

[@ByteSizeTech]

I do not... I just use the iGPU and audio out of the iGPU and HDMI cable... it works well enough for what I use it for, which is watching old war movies on DVD.

[@2MichalChojnowski2]

With onboard audio is tricky. One thing is quality of codec, secound is how whole audio section is built and mobo reviewers rather don't test onboard audios. That's why I recommend for sure not overspending on mobo only because better codec. Buy the board fitting your needs and just test integrated audio, including it's software letting playing with sound. Then you can start ordering dedicated ones to compare. It's a correct order especially given that one is sound card, secoud your ears and gear.

[@FinMacShark]

A sound card in my opinion is so much better than on board sound, for listening to music alone its a huge upgrade, i never do a build without a sound card.

[@goldenheartOh]

How expensive are your speakers?

[@FinMacShark]

@@goldenheartOh Creative Labs GigaWorks T40 Series II

[@mikey9836]

I don’t have room for another PCIE express lane . Is a DAC fine?

[@FinMacShark]

@@mikey9836 don't know much about DAC ,sorry

[@mattsev9134]

@@mikey9836 Yes, an external DAC is what I use, and it also functions as a headphone amp. DAC connects via usb cable to the PC, and I also have a speaker amp plugged into the DAC with some passive speakers connected to it.

[@ElladanKenet]

Man, the amount of comments is surprising but all very valid. Guess that answers the question, huh?

[@AventineArchives]

Depends how much you enjoy your audio, on board is fine for many. As an audio enjoyer I have a Chord Mojo connected via USB/Optical with some Sennheiser HD599's and it's lovely. All I do otherwise is use Peace APO as an equaliser and that's perfection for me.

[@mttrashcan-bg1ro]

Yeah this is my thoughts exactly, an external Amp and DAC like a Schiit Magni with the internal DAC for $189 is going to sound a lot better and will push some thirsty headphones pretty well. I know Sennheisers, Beyerdynamic, Hifiman and Focal headphones work well on them, not necessarily your $4000 ones though.

[@goldenheartOh]

Back in 2001 I noticed a difference between on board sound and my sound card only in certain parts of a few songs on my $200 speakers, but those parts were heavenly with a sound card vs just nice with on board. Now, i dont know if on board has gotten as good as sound cards or if my 20yr old speakers are no longer good enough, or if my own hearing has deteriorated too much to tell the difference. Tinnitis is a real thing kids. Hearing damage accumulates over your life. I wore ear plugs religiously but worked in a loud environment.

[@xxhale72]

I didn't think anyone was still doing the double GPU thing anymore.

[@C0d0ps]

I don’t see many double computer or double gpu setups anymore. 12-16 cores and a 4080 would be a great single computer streaming system.

[@dianaalyssa8726]

Still some use it for VM passthrough. I don't think it's as much of a thing now that you can use one to do mostly everything. Double computer mostly streaming/esports though I've never used more than 1. I remember my first crossfire board it seemed exciting but I never used it.

[@itstheweirdguy]

I'm kind of sick of all the talk about this gpu passthrough. Has a good use case for scientific stuff and giving people CAD software remotely without them having a GPU. Sadly, 90% of it is just homelab bros who aren't learning anything and want to play games remotely on their own computer in the same room@@dianaalyssa8726. My own computer with microsoft hyper-v and my crappy cables going under the house with no patch panel ends only...I'm doing more!

[@Taijifufu]

But what if you don't use the motherboard _or_ a sound card? I connect my soundbar with hdmi arc to my gpu.

[@greatwavefan397]

How do you do that :O

[@Taijifufu]

@@greatwavefan397 I just plug in my monitor with DisplayPort and plug in the soundbar with HDMI into the same GPU. It seems to trick the PC into thinking the soundbar is another monitor. It's weird how when you use VR too you can see a second monitor desktop that doesn't actually exist.

[@greatwavefan397]

​@@Taijifufu Yeah I remember seeing a video explaining that. It also noted that the best analog sound will come from a dedicated sound card, but the best digital sound will come from the GPU, IIRC.

[@okerac8344]

I was thinking since the ROG Apex Encore doesn't have an integrated GPU can you use an Intel A380 Arc and combine it with a RTX 4090 for the benefit of quick sync in gaming? I was thinking about getting the Gigabyte Tachyon X, but now may get the ROG Apex Encore. If I can add quick sync. If possible, how would you set that up?

[@highlanderknight]

I've been reusing my HT Omega sound card over the last couple of builds, because quite honestly, the onboard sound from the motherboard sounds like ass in comparison. And I've been reusing 5.1 Logitech speakers with a 15" sub for almost 2 decades now.

[@TheAETHER22]

Had a asus xonar dx for years. Now im using a Am4 on board audio. Cant tell the difference honestly, except for the fact that the sound card was blocking airflow on my computer. And i do use high end bookself speakers.

[@Bjenn89]

Same here, I heard significant difference with my Sennheiser PC360 G4ME headset the day I switched to my new rig. Music is just not the same anymore, it's missing the depth and fullness. I'm not sure what I will do now. Maybe just get used to this average sound..

[@Snafu2346]

I haven't had an audio card the last one was an Creative Audigy 2ZS. Which I gave to my friend since I no longer use it and he likes older retro stuff.

[@gibranalvarado1269]

When is the next Livestream? I keep missing them

[@ArturOleszczuk1991]

Bought Fiio K7 for my klipsh the fives, sound quality is just next level with that upgrade. Sound card/Dac is really huge update for person that rally put some more attention to details.

[@DueM]

i thought those klipschs had a built in dac.

[@rangersmith4652]

If you're making content for an audience that can actually hear differences in audio production and has the playback equipment to accurately reproduce that enhanced quality, then an outboard sound card/DAC is your ticket. Most people can't hear subtle differences and will default to the louder signal sounding better right up to the point of harmonic distortion becoming audible.

[@itstheweirdguy]

Hence the headlining band always being loudest......When I saw Sevendust it didn't really work out because they sucked AND were loud, they were clipping so bad.

[@greatwavefan397]

Sound cards seem more essential for retro builds up to Windows XP than modern ones, especially if you wanna enable A3D, EAX, or audio technologies. (Edit: Vista had a certain audio technology rolled out, but it was used in very few games AFAIK)

[@dianaalyssa8726]

I remember we used to use sound cards and then most of us didn't. Wonder if I should be looking into it since upgrading mic and mixer.

[@thetechthingguy5281]

I have ordered the K3 2021 and K11 from Fiio and compared them to my MAG Z690 Tomahawk. I used a good cable with my Sony WH 1000 XM3 and with fixing out some equalizer settings on the Realtek Audio Console i made the onboard sound as same as the Sony connected via bluetooth with anc and integrated dac. So my words: try out the equalizer from your motherboard first.

[@curtismariani6303]

If I have a usb/wireless gaming headset (Corsair Virtuoso XT) does it do its own sound processing and therefore a sound card would have no benefit?

[@matthewhanson498]

I love my soundblaster x3 for its upmixing ability features and overall quality. I use the 7.1 output to power my home theater setup. Amazing sound quality but I have to sit about 7 feet back from monitors lol

[@Tomixgardelac]

I had many sound cards over the years,it's so much better then onboard,gaming,music,movies...for me EVGA Nu Audio is the best.

[@antoniocepaj7544]

What AM5 motherboard would you get if you want use onboard audio via USB ? And in what USB port should we plug in our headphones ? If using Logitech G PRO X 7.1 Wireless headset.

[@FanOWater]

I have the AE7 and good speakers and headphones and it is awesome. This guy should buy it.

[@unrealdevon]

I will stick too a soundcard (dolby/dts upmixed compressed) until i can find a way too get uncompressed 5.1 hd from my pc.

[@C7TJFVB7CAZ_TyonorShap]

only if u got godlike extreme headphones literally, even tho both my MSI X299 Pro 10G and old Strix X299 Gaming 1 have and amacing build in sound im using an Amp (JVC RX 212) thats plugged to the mobo with Sennheiser HD 820 so im really well decked out with sound ^^ back then i might had a soundblaster or so but very quickly after like 2010 i never had soundcards again^^

[@mallon04008]

Most onboard audio is fine. But if you want an upgrade without breaking the bank, get a 30 to 50 USB sound card / DAC / headphone amp

[@highlanderknight]

Yeah, if You've had a good sound card before, you can tell the difference.

[@maxtrue9744]

External DAC is the way to go. I sue a Focusrite Scarlett interface 8I6 which provides great recording as well.

[@speed11111111]

Have a high end am4 board dark hero and sound was nothing compared to a noise shileded sound card I guess external would be also better depending on manufacturer but I t’s just like he said if you have economy speaker like 200 dollar speakers and using the cheap wiring you won’t notice the difference once you get to like

[@whssy]

External sound card for audio production. Otherwise pretty pointless if you have a high end mobo with decent integrated sound IMHO. TBH the onboard audio on my PC is theoretically "better" than my external audio production soundcard with its various inputs. But can't be bothered to swap things around depending if I'm gaming or working. On my multimedia PC I just go HDMI out into an AV receiver for 5.1 - the receiver does all the work.

[@shootnblankz187]

get some astro A40s with the mix amp and you will be very happy... or any open back headphones with a amp and eq software is the way to go.

[@maxstueven1965]

No one should use a sound card these days, when their are so many great external dac/amps out there or get a decent dac and amp separately. Also getting the dac out of the computer is much better for noise. There are plenty of $100 headphones you will notice the difference on, but they are all audiophile headphones.

[@nelsonmejiaslozada9362]

Marketing told me i need 4080 CODEC even though i cant note the difference .

[@mttrashcan-bg1ro]

I would never recommend getting a sound card, buy an external Amplifier and maybe also a DAC or you could just buy a Schiit Magni with the internal DAC, it's $189 and works with any headphones via a quarter inch jack, just use an adapter on anything that just uses a 3.5mm like gaming headsets and stuff. Sound cards just take up valuable internal PC space, like clearance and also are significantly more likely to pick up interference from inside the PC. Those special gimmicks that sound cards have aren't accurate or realistic when it comes to better audio.

[@Electrify928]

I use a razer leviathan sound bar with the thx audio and it sounds really good. (Using optic cable)

[@TheHangarHobbit]

The big difference between 2011 and now which is why the Intel chips aren't a good deal is in 2011 they really didn't have any competition as Bulldozer couldn't compete, whereas today AMD chips trade blows and often beat intel all the way up the stack while using WAAAY less power. Plus ironically with the weaker eCores Intel is turning into Bulldozer era AMD as I haven't seen anybody list real benefits from eCores outside mobile and they have a whole lot of downsides.

[@dianaalyssa8726]

I thought I would hate ecores but it's been pretty great. I can raid, have browser, discord open it's not a problem the way it would be during some of the lga1151/1155 era. I haven't experienced any downsides of ecores. They can also be BIOS disabled, have enabled currently but I don't see much difference, they seem to help with game lows. Experiences may vary but there are still P core only options.

[@sppoitier1]

Who's the new guy?

[@kyle782]

I wouldnt bother, i have that board, the 4090 liquid x, 7950x (extra thermal room, Australia, HOT) and id have to dump a lot of money into sound gear to make it worth it. No point when I run an Aldi 2.1 sound bar over optical and a BT hyper x headset. Also I'm half deaf so sound is just sound and dropping tonnes of money is just a trick on people to guouge them of their money lol

[@C0d0ps]

To whoever reads this, I hope you have a wonderful day and no matter what stay happy as that is what matters most in life, You are truly amazing and no one can ever take that away from you, Be happy and enjoy life, We don't have long on earth so make the most of it, We’re all gonna make it brah 👑

[@freespeechdead8670]

wont own a pc without one

[@freespeechdead8670]

creative labs 24 bit into a 400 watt amp going to 12 inch 3way Yamaha's says YES you need one ....