Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 16

Thread: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

  1. #1
    read my comic already! (sig) xRyokenx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Bloomingburg, NY
    Posts
    4,416

    Default PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    My onboard sound crapped out this past week and I've been using my USB headphones for everything. I've been looking on Newegg out of curiosity (and because my one spare PCI slot is being covered by my 3870) and have seen some very mixed reviews about the various cards on there. So in a nutshell, are PCIe sound cards worth the money?

  2. #2
    Fox Furry crenn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    In the shadows behind you
    Posts
    4,067

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    PCIe 1x slots make good use of those pesky slots. For X-Fi cards... I'd recommend the PCIe cards over the PCI cards due to known issues with the PCI cards.
    Antec Sonata II | Pioneer DVR-212
    Good news! You can follow my website or follow me on twitter!

  3. #3
    Resident EE mtekk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    469

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    For PCIe x1, if you want an X-Fi you're only good choice is the X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102019 ). Otherwise there are the various ASUS Xonar PCIe x1s out there ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...me=PCI+Express ).
    Quote Originally Posted by xRyokenx View Post
    ...I'm getting tired of not being able to figure this crap out because it's apparently made for computer-illiterate people by computer-illiterate people. lol

  4. #4
    read my comic already! (sig) xRyokenx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Bloomingburg, NY
    Posts
    4,416

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    Thanks guys, when I find the cash to get one, I'm going to mainly be using it for music and maybe some movies, only very rarely will I have the time to game for a loooong time. So I don't really need anything insane.

  5. #5

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    you could look for an asus pcie sound card on ebay (the ones that come with some asus boards). they arent as great as the more expencive ones but they'll get you rocking again for cheap.

  6. #6
    read my comic already! (sig) xRyokenx's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Bloomingburg, NY
    Posts
    4,416

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    Right now I'm wondering if it might be the speakers too... my sound has been going really, really weird on me lately. I had my speakers hooked up through the USB adapter that came with my headset... but they got all fuzzy and weird, and when tested on my mp3 player and then through my front USB port, they were fine, lol.

    I have less than $100 in the bank, courtesy of NY taxes... I ordered my books from the college I'm digitally attending in NC and they charge me taxes here, lol. These laws are something amazing. We'll see what happens around Christmas, maybe my parents will get me a sound card and nice set of speakers if I do good in my classes.

  7. #7
    Project: Elegant-Li The boy 4rm oz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Balhannah, South Australia
    Posts
    6,411

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    I was looking at getting the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCI-E
    http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...oducts_id=7311
    I also looked at the
    SilverStone Ensemble EB01 USB DAC
    http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...oducts_id=7846
    At the moment my on board Karajan audio on my DFI board is fantastic. I love good audio and can tell the difference between crap and fantastic sound, that is why I haven't got a sound card yet. Yes I know that sounds stupid. The way I see it is I would want to get the best possible audio and can't justify spending $300AUD+ on a sound card which I would want to then upgrade when the new model comes out lol. I would also want to get the full 7.1 surround sound which I neither have the need, money or space for lol.
    Project: Elegant-Li *NEW*
    Project: Alpha FINISHED
    Project: LEXA Revival FINISHED
    Project: LEXA FINISHED Bit-Tech MOTM Nominee October 08

  8. #8
    Resident EE mtekk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Minnesota
    Posts
    469

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    The Xtreme Audio card is not a X-Fi (the chip is not an EMU20K1), its a rebranded Audigy SE.
    Quote Originally Posted by xRyokenx View Post
    ...I'm getting tired of not being able to figure this crap out because it's apparently made for computer-illiterate people by computer-illiterate people. lol

  9. #9
    Project: Elegant-Li The boy 4rm oz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Balhannah, South Australia
    Posts
    6,411

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    They still market it as a X-Fi and it still takes the drivers.
    Project: Elegant-Li *NEW*
    Project: Alpha FINISHED
    Project: LEXA Revival FINISHED
    Project: LEXA FINISHED Bit-Tech MOTM Nominee October 08

  10. #10
    Over 75 Custom PC's in 20 years TheGreatSatan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Southern IL
    Posts
    6,633

    Default Re: PCIe Sound Cards... worth it?

    I love how you tell everyone your budget for a sound card is low and it's not like you do any gaming, but just like Best Buy everyone recommends a $70+ Card. For music, movies all you need is something basic. Mind you, it's still a really good card.
    WH1T3 0U7
    *******************************
    Modified Thermaltake View 37
    Intel 9900K, MSI Z390A, 128GB (32GB x4) GSkill Royal 3200MHz, RTX 3080 Vision, EVGA Nu Audio, 1TB Silicon Power SSD, EVGA 1300G2, ID cooling 360mm AiO, LG 3440 x 1440


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •