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Sound cards

Post Date: 2016-11-19
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Doc View Drop Down
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Posts: 355 		  Quote Doc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Sound cards
    Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 10:51am
Since receiving my freaking great Velox I've been a bit disappointed I didn't get a sound card. Everyone felt onboard sound was on par it seemed. And it is fine but there is a significantly noticeable difference in sound quality between new on board sound and my 8 year old rig with a sound card.

Aside from simple sound quality, gaming with surround headphones is about 50% less effective in identifying sounds and location of sounds. Essentially I hear footsteps, for example, but have no idea where they are coming from. I get sneaked up on. Didn't have that before.

So, who has advice on the better sound cards for my Z170 Maximus board and what am I going to mess up trying to install one?
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 11:00am
I haven't checked out sound cards in many years. Sound blaster was the one then.

Hopefully others can help.

Shouldn't be any problem installing one.  Just need a spare PCIe slot, I think most use the X1 smaller ones.  I'd mount it so its not too close to the video card fans, unless you're on water.

Most better cards also have a front panel audio connector where you can unplug your case's front audio from the mobo and plug it into the sound card itself.  That way front panel is also the better quality. 

Good luck and keep us updated .   Big%20Smile
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Posts: 355 		  Quote Doc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 11:23am
Ok, dumb here. Front panel audio?
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 11:34am
The jacks you have on the front of the case for headphones, etc.  Also called the Front I/O where the usb and power button are.   You know, you're just testing me.  LOL
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Posts: 355 		  Quote Doc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 11:57am
A-ha. Guess that makes sense those would have to be attached to the sound card too otherwise my USB headset wouldn't work huh.
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bprat22 View Drop Down
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Posts: 20391 		  Quote bprat22 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 12:34pm
Actually, the USB headset wouldn't benefit from the soundcard , unless the soundcard has its own USB port.    Only outputs from the sound card itself, like its rear ports or if you hook the front audio 3.5 mm port to the card.

You can get USB to 3.5 mm adapters.

USB ports connect to the motherboard and would run off its Realtek audio controller on the motherboard.


Edited by bprat22 - 19 Nov 2016 at 12:45pm
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Doc View Drop Down
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Posts: 355 		  Quote Doc Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 19 Nov 2016 at 2:57pm
Hmmm. Interesting. So I'm imagining the worse sound in game as I was always using motherboard sound with my headset despite having a sound card. Well then, carry on sir. Imaginary problem solved.   

Edited by Doc - 19 Nov 2016 at 3:24pm
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Posts: 7962 		  Quote hoserator Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Nov 2016 at 3:06am
If you still have that old computer, remove the sound card and check online if you can install in the new one. I carried a (forget the name nowOops) a sound card through two systems and then forgot to remove when I got the present one.
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