Importance of Sound Card?

[whiplash3240]

Hi everone, this is my first time posting on this awesome site.

I'm using Envision to customize a new gaming computer, and trying to figure out which sound card to buy.

My budget is $2000-$2500 and I've got all the other parts I want. I've been wondering the importance of a good sound card in gaming performance; if all it affects is the sound, then I honestly could care less about spending a a hundred bucks on one.

Could someone tell me how important it is to include a good sound card in a strictly gaming PC? I'm one of those people that isn't affected by eye candy(or sound candy in this case), so if that's all a good sound card does for me then I'd like to save some money in that area.

If anyone wants to see the other parts of my PC I'd love to share that as well! Just let me know, thanks!!

[backyardtechie]

Obivouisly you need sound lol.But i hear yah when it comes to spending money on something yah don't need.But i personally love the sounds from gaming , and also i play alot of music on my comp , so sound is very important.Sounds really depend on what games you play and what speakers you got for your system.

For example if you play Starcraft and have a standard pc speakers, then i would get a Soundblaster PCI 128 or a card like that.Now if you play Doom 3 with 5.1/7.1 sound system bone out the cash for a Soundblaster Audigy Pro Platinuim or a card equal to that.

So as you see , it's really up to you and your needs.It's like a gramma buying a porshe 911 gt3 to go grocery shopping Go for what you think you need not what a sales person saz.

Good luck and cheers
Backyardtechie

[bombledmonk]

There is no need for most people to buy an ultra expensive sound card. Very good ones can be had from $40-$100 if you feel you need one. Otherwise the onboard audio is more the sufficient for most people.

One the Soundcard subject, many people like the Turtle Beach "Santa Cruz" saying that it easily rivals or bests the Adigy2 series in sound quality. The Audigy2 series does have the newest EAX audio but a lot of people don't really care or notice....

[sechs]

I'd say that your main concerns are reliability and compatability.

I'd personally suggest the Turtle Beach Santa Cruz. It's an older card, but it performs well and the bugs have been shaken out of the drivers. It can also be found for reasonably cheap.

An M-Audio Revolution may be another good choice. It's a bit harder to find these days, but is considered rock-solid.

Don't bother with a Creative card. Their drivers are well known to be bloated and buggy. They also tend to cost more.

[charlielx]

okay, here go's the roof, I just purchased a Alienware "gamer" for $2500.00 It has all the goodie's AMD 3500+, 2 gig ram, ATI Radeon X800 video card (did not want to wait 2 mos. for the 6800 )650 watt power supply, 2 WD 10,000 speed Hard Drives , and the rest of the stuff you need for a good gamer. Plus the goodies Alienware installs. Now about the roof, a lot of guys are going to say BUILT it yourself. thats what My son (30 yrs ) an I (68Yrs old) were gong to do I have had a computer way back to thr Radio Shack Level 1 10 Mhz. abt 20 yrs and built a few . He has beed a online Game player years. I have had good luck and bad . Being retired i have the time to Bargain hunt for the parts. The Alienware came out darn close to building one Myself, BECAUSE , i got a $500.00 rebate, Free shipping , 6 mos. same as cash. with the 1 year warranty I think it was a better deal. I know there are a lot of Horror storys out there Abt. ALIENWARE. But they are mostly abt. Laptops. So, think both ways, Having one place to take your problems to IF you have any is really nice. if you do build one try to get the parts from one or two local places, so if you have a problem you won't have to run all over and shipa bunch of parts back. Good luck, let us know what you decide. All I can say We got a "kick Ass" Computer for a sweet price. Merry Christmas

[slickvic22]

i use onboard sound through my home entertainment system, 5 speakers w/ pro logic and a sub. Pro logic doesn't always work on all games but sounds awesome if it does.