AnimeSuki Forums

AOforever1 · 2006-05-08, 23:57

Okay, I'm going to be honest here. I'm a computer geek, but I've been totally ignorant of computer audio technology for the past 3 years (meaning I haven't kept up).

I've been with my Sound Blaster Audigy (not 2 or 2zs) and as far as I was concerned I was able to play my games with EAX 3.0/4.0 and OpenAL just fine. The quality of the sound was pretty good at least relative to my home theather system.

Now I've stumbled upon this deal and it has tempted me
Buy.com Sound Blaster Audigy 2ZS Platium Deal

Would this upgrade improve my experience?
Note: I have a 4.1 speaker system that provides medium quality audio.

Genpei Sato · 2006-05-09, 10:06

its the not the greatest but if u wish to do that its not much of an upgrade imo but its good to go after imo

AOforever1 · 2006-05-09, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Genpei Sato

its the not the greatest but if u wish to do that its not much of an upgrade imo but its good to go after imo

Wow, so I was right... all those other sound blasters past the original Audigy are just ploys to sell hardware

I would still like to hear from other people before I decide though :|

reflection · 2006-05-09, 21:31

You would only need to upgrade if you're looking from more/different outputs for the most part. (ie. optical) The exception would be the Creative X-Fi, which is supposively "HD audio." It also boasts that it can improve system performance, mainly in the gaming department. (framerates)

AOforever1 · 2006-05-09, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by reflection

You would only need to upgrade if you're looking from more/different outputs for the most part. (ie. optical) The exception would be the Creative X-Fi, which is supposively "HD audio." It also boasts that it can improve system performance, mainly in the gaming department. (framerates)

EH?! FPS improvement!? Would you care to explain how the soundcard will boost the FPS?
I like your Ava btw :P

Kurz · 2006-05-09, 22:40

Soundcard will enable all of the sound to be processed on the card.
Taking stress off of the CPU = more Frames per second.

Though... you wont notice it since you have a sound card already.

Kollunz · 2006-05-10, 00:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by AOforever1

EH?! FPS improvement!? Would you care to explain how the soundcard will boost the FPS?
I like your Ava btw :P

a sound card processes all the sound so your cpu doesnt have to. so the cpu will have more processing power to process other things like games.

reflection · 2006-05-10, 00:55

That's the advantage of any dedicated soundcard over onboard. It may be that the X-Fi utilizes the system bus more efficiently that gives it a slight edge over other cards, so they claim ever more performance? It must be very minimal though. Or you could take it as the X-Fi allows you to increase audio effects (EAX 5.0, 'Super High Quality" sound setting in some games) without performance hits. Anyhow, from what I read some can and others cannot, tell a difference between an X-Fi to an Audigy2. I'd assume that most would agree from Audigy -> X-Fi you could tell a difference. But if you're not an audiophile or extreme gamer, I don't think it's absolutely necessary to upgrade.

PS: I don't have the card myself(...yet), so I can't really give my own opinion on the sound. =x

Ending · 2006-05-10, 07:37

X-fi is supposed to be fully 24-bit in sound-quality, so that would be the sole reason to upgrade as long as it isn't too expensive. I use Audigy 2 ZS too and it does offer some good quality normally and better when the sounds are 24-bit (Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday being the most recent example).

It's about money: if you have 50 bucks extra to get X-fi, go for it, but you don't miss much even if you stay with regular Audigy.

AOforever1 · 2006-05-10, 14:00

Okay, looks like I'm not upgrading. I'll save this all up for my next GPU upgrade

Just to clarify my earlier question, on how the sound card improves FPS.
I meant:

How does the X-Fi upgrade help FPS, I know the basics behind all of this already.

2006-05-08, 23:57	Link #1
AOforever1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: USA Age: 36	Do I need a soundcard upgrade? Okay, I'm going to be honest here. I'm a computer geek, but I've been totally ignorant of computer audio technology for the past 3 years (meaning I haven't kept up). I've been with my Sound Blaster Audigy (not 2 or 2zs) and as far as I was concerned I was able to play my games with EAX 3.0/4.0 and OpenAL just fine. The quality of the sound was pretty good at least relative to my home theather system. Now I've stumbled upon this deal and it has tempted me Buy.com Sound Blaster Audigy 2ZS Platium Deal Would this upgrade improve my experience? Note: I have a 4.1 speaker system that provides medium quality audio.

2006-05-09, 21:31	Link #4
reflection gyabo!~ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada	You would only need to upgrade if you're looking from more/different outputs for the most part. (ie. optical) The exception would be the Creative X-Fi, which is supposively "HD audio." It also boasts that it can improve system performance, mainly in the gaming department. (framerates) __________________

2006-05-09, 22:40	Link #6
Kurz Gao~ a sound for the ages Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I live in a relm of swirling of thought and emotion, Ever lost in the relm of infinite possiblities. Age: 37	Soundcard will enable all of the sound to be processed on the card. Taking stress off of the CPU = more Frames per second. Though... you wont notice it since you have a sound card already. __________________ Join the ULF! United Leecher Front. Save your Love ones from Disease. Folding@Home Team Animesuki

2006-05-10, 00:55	Link #8
reflection gyabo!~ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Canada	That's the advantage of any dedicated soundcard over onboard. It may be that the X-Fi utilizes the system bus more efficiently that gives it a slight edge over other cards, so they claim ever more performance? It must be very minimal though. Or you could take it as the X-Fi allows you to increase audio effects (EAX 5.0, 'Super High Quality" sound setting in some games) without performance hits. Anyhow, from what I read some can and others cannot, tell a difference between an X-Fi to an Audigy2. I'd assume that most would agree from Audigy -> X-Fi you could tell a difference. But if you're not an audiophile or extreme gamer, I don't think it's absolutely necessary to upgrade. PS: I don't have the card myself(...yet), so I can't really give my own opinion on the sound. =x __________________

2006-05-09, 10:06	Link #2
Genpei Sato The Demon Himself Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Michigan Age: 35	its the not the greatest but if u wish to do that its not much of an upgrade imo but its good to go after imo

2006-05-10, 07:37	Link #9
Ending Senior Member Join Date: May 2004	X-fi is supposed to be fully 24-bit in sound-quality, so that would be the sole reason to upgrade as long as it isn't too expensive. I use Audigy 2 ZS too and it does offer some good quality normally and better when the sounds are 24-bit (Hearts of Iron 2: Doomsday being the most recent example). It's about money: if you have 50 bucks extra to get X-fi, go for it, but you don't miss much even if you stay with regular Audigy.

2006-05-10, 14:00	Link #10
AOforever1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: USA Age: 36	Okay, looks like I'm not upgrading. I'll save this all up for my next GPU upgrade Just to clarify my earlier question, on how the sound card improves FPS. I meant: How does the X-Fi upgrade help FPS, I know the basics behind all of this already.