Sound Card

R

Ryken

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Apr 15, 2008
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I recently built a new PC and just went with onboard sound to save money, but thanks to Uncle Sam, I'm in the market for a sound card. I mostly play TF2, but do some TV/Movie watching on the computer, and would like a decent sound card to hook up to my Logitech Z-680's. Want to keep it under or around $60. I've always liked Creative products in the past, but don't know if that's the best route. Any suggestions?

PC:
Athlon X2 6400+
9600GT
2gb Corsair XMS2
GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4
 
The X-Fi is probably the best audio processor around, but historically they've had issues with nForce boards. The Azunetech X-Fi board is pretty hardcore, but it's well over 60 bucks. As are the new Xonar boards from ASUS.

Honestly, nevermind, I have no idea what is good in that price range.

All I can say is consider going pricier. I cannot express the difference between 'pretty good' and 'brilliant' when it comes to audio. But I've got big loud Z-5500s, so I'm biased.
 
I've got an Audigy ZS 2... Which is a bit pricey but I wouldn't trade it for any other card.
 
how much pricier until we hit brilliant? I'm more about price/performance that straight up best sound ever. But if it is worth the price tag that can be ok, as long as you all promise not to tell the g/f.
 
well i currently have the exact same card that "thatguy" suggested. The sound quatlity is pretty amazing, but then again thats coming from me who has only used onboard, so im not sure what is "good" in the audio card world.

Basically what im saying is that the audigy is good for the price
 
I went from an Audigy ZS 2 to an X-Fi Fatility Gamersomethingorother, was their top of the line card at the time and the difference was amazing.

Really though, your output is what matters.

I'm not familiar with the Z-680s. Speakers? 2.0? 2.1? 5.1? Or Headphones?

If you've got good 5.1 speakers or use good quality headphones, then you'll hear the difference in the X-Fi series. If you're not? Go with the Audigy. They're great cards too.
 
That second one is the one I had for several years. On both a 680 and a 790 nForce board without issue.

Audio hardware from a technical standpoint isn't my strongest area, but from what I've read the Fatality Pro is significantly higher quality. If you can get it for 15 bucks more, do it.

But yeah, if you've got big beefy speakers you want a good quality sound card. You'd be amazed at what you've been missing.
 
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