Suggestions for sound cards please!!

[baccilus]

I looked around but couldn't find anything about sound cards. Please give suggestions about the best sound card in a decent budget(Rs500 to 5000). How much better are they from the onboard ones, both for gaming and music? Is creative the only option? I am specially interested in their gaming performance.

[AcceleratorX]

Creative leads the pack, but there are others.

1)Gaming: If you have a SoundMAX AD1980 (or better) onboard sound chip, then the quality is almost as good as it gets and the benefits of having a separate soundcard are only limited to EAX 3.0+ (even for this, you must have a Creative soundcard).

2)Audio: Again the SoundMAX (AD1980 or better) onboard does exceptionally here, but the Audigy2 would get you a bit extra quality, I think.

3)DVDs: Here, having a separate soundcard is better. With a good soundcard, you can enjoy a better implementation of DTS sound (onboard sound is only designed for Dolby Digital, not DTS), and have a somewhat better experience.

Creative is the only one with EAX 3.0+ support, but if you care less about EAX 3.0 and 4.0, Gainward is offering a sound card based on VIA's Envy24 chipset that supports 24-bit, 7.1 channel audio and most bells and whistles of Creative soundcards (it costs about Rs. 2000-2200)

[goobimama]

It also depends on what speaker system you are planning to use. If you use a low end system, then it wont make much of a difference but high end speakers need features like low SNR and 24 bit sound.

Creative Audigy 2 ZS is the best way to go for you.

[shakti]

Creative Audigy 2 ZS is the best way to go for you.

Edited by aadipa
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what motherboard R U using right now. The onboard Audio these days is really good for anything, even gaming. If U have 2.1 channel Speakers, then stick to onboard Audio

It's only that if U have 5.1 channel Speakers, go for Audigy2 Value, that should be all U will ever need. X-Fi is good but costly & not available here properly

[baccilus]

Hi saurav. I have the intel 915glvg mobo with 5.1 support. I have Altec lansing 251 5.1 speakers. Bye the way thank you guys for all the replies.
Awaiting reply.
Bye buddy.

i would suggest that U stick to the onboard Audio, that is enough for everything.

Gaming will benifit from Audigy because of EAX etc, & since u already have 5.1 channel speakers, U can go for it. An audigy 2 ZS or Value should be enough for all your needs, but i don't know about the price

[soham]

Whats the street price of these cards. Digit hasn't reviewed sound cards for a long time.

[jay4u]

Originally Posted by gxsaurav

i would suggest that U stick to the onboard Audio, that is enough for everything.

Gaming will benifit from Audigy because of EAX etc, & since u already have 5.1 channel speakers, U can go for it. An audigy 2 ZS or Value should be enough for all your needs, but i don't know about the price

agree with you.... but depends hugely on ur feel and ur purpose and ur pocket.....