Internal or external sound?

[Lordreaper12]

So I don’t know much about sound cards or external ones so I’m trying to figure out which way to go. I’m going to be using it for my gaming/streaming rig. Any opinions? Or ways to go about this?
I also plan to buy a new headphones with it so recommended would help too. Thank you for people that input

Update
Asus Strix RAID DLX - sound card
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x - headphones
Are ones that I have looked at

[Monk]

For 99.9% of users, onboard sound is more than good enough.
When that changes is when you start looking to hook up expensive / audiophile kit over the standard pc kit.

[Athenas]

I have a Sound Blaster Audigy 5/RX internal sound card that in my opinion sounds way better than any integrated sound I ever heard. Specially while listening to music using it's ASIO drivers. I also use it for some old games that I still play and that use EAX. Those games sound really great I tell you.

Yet, just like Monk said, most of the time, integrated sound and good speakeras and/or headphones will sound more than good enough for most people.

Only if you are super picky about audio or you need some specialized audio recording inputs/outputs, then probably you will be better off with an internal sound card or an external USB DAC.

If that's your case, I recomend you to get the external USB DAC because of its ease of use, less signal interference from your computer and its easy portability (you can easily use it with laptops, PCs and even Macs. An internal sound card only works on desktop PCs unless you have a laptop with special expansion card slots and you find a sound card specially built for it).

Hope that helps.

[Morethan2Letters]

They are a waste.

[Monk]

Yeah I actually went for a schiit audio Modi / magni 2 amp / DAC stack, and I have to say, it was a huge improvement to sound on my shure srh1540's over the little astro mix amp I was running. If / when I get round d to hooking g up my morduant short genie 2 speakers (now pretty reasonably priced if you can find them but pretty expensive when new) I may have to look at a sound card to run the amp off of, but, by that point, I'll have £2-3k of audio equipment hooked up, so a hundred or 2 on the south d card might be worth it, bit, even then, it's questionable lol

[Lordreaper12]

I was thinking about getting the Asus Strix RAID DLX or maybe something from Creative Labz combined with Audio-Technica ATM-M50x but like I said I don’t know much about sound. I don’t mind spending a lot of money but only if it’s worth it and makes a difference. I don’t want to end up like most people buying a “gaming” headset and thinking it’s good quality. I want something that is actually focused on sound quality.

[Lordreaper12]

引用自 Legatus：

I have a Sound Blaster Audigy 5/RX internal sound card that in my opinion sounds way better than any integrated sound I ever heard. Specially while listening to music using it's ASIO drivers. I also use it for some old games that I still play and that use EAX. Those games sound really great I tell you.

Yet, just like Monk said, most of the time, integrated sound and good speakeras and/or headphones will sound more than good enough for most people.

Only if you are super picky about audio or you need some specialized audio recording inputs/outputs, then probably you will be better off with an internal sound card or an external USB DAC.

If that's your case, I recomend you to get the external USB DAC because of its ease of use, less signal interference from your computer and its easy portability (you can easily use it with laptops, PCs and even Macs. An internal sound card only works on desktop PCs unless you have a laptop with special expansion card slots and you find a sound card specially built for it).

Hope that helps.

That card actually looks really good

[Revelene]

If you're using headphones, then don't bother with an internal sound card. Better external options available.

Internal sound cards are more or less a thing of the past.

[Athenas]

引用自 Lordreaper12：

That card actually looks really good

Thanks. It sounds beautiful.

Still, you might want to check the brand new Sound BlasterX AE-5 if you are more into gaming and use headphones.

I haven't used Asus cards before but from what I've read the Asus Essence STX II is the one to get.

Revelene is also right. If you are using headphones, using external USB DACs might be a better choice.

Most of the time, those DACs come with knobs, all kind of ports and Amps that make using headphones a breeze. Also, they have the flexibility of being able to unplug the DAC from your PC and then into your laptop and keep getting nice audio wherever you go.

[Athenas]

引用自 Monk：

Yeah I actually went for a schiit audio Modi / magni 2 amp / DAC stack, and I have to say, it was a huge improvement to sound on my shure srh1540's over the little astro mix amp I was running. If / when I get round d to hooking g up my morduant short genie 2 speakers (now pretty reasonably priced if you can find them but pretty expensive when new) I may have to look at a sound card to run the amp off of, but, by that point, I'll have £2-3k of audio equipment hooked up, so a hundred or 2 on the south d card might be worth it, bit, even then, it's questionable lol

Again, I'm envious of all that nice stuff. Good job. A lot of people might not agree with me but I think sound is as important as graphics. Good sound makes me enjoy everything way better.

[Monk]

How much do you have to spend on headphones etc ? Depending how much you have we could probably direct you at a good pair of cans and a DAC / amp.

[Lordreaper12]

引用自 Monk：

How much do you have to spend on headphones etc ? Depending how much you have we could probably direct you at a good pair of cans and a DAC / amp.

Nothing over 2000$ like I said I don’t mind spending money but only if it’s worth it. But also keep in mind it’s for gaming and streaming. And most likely music. . . Then again what headphones aren't for music

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

I have a $79 Creative SoundBlaster Omni...It's an external USB sound card that works for my system quite well for my PC. I use the Fiber Optic TOS/Link cable to hook it up to my 5.1 Stereo Receiver, sit on the couch...and play...It is especially chilling to play F.E.A.R on my PC with it when EAX 3 is enabled.

[Monk]

2k is a hell of a jump over a pair of m50's, and a $100 sound card, like 10x as much ... So are you looking for advice for a few hundred dollar setup or few thousand realistically ? As advice at the opposite end of the spectrum of either will be no use.

[SenMithrarin85]

for me, its external sound or bust. the onbaord audio is flat and too quiet (at least in games when using headphones)

[Kaihekoa]

$2 grand on PC audio for gaming /boggle. You say you don't know anything about audio gear, so why don't you start off with a good pair of speakers or headphones and see how they sound to you with motherboard audio? If its not good enough, try an entry level DAC before you go crazy. No sense in spending thousands if you can barely tell the difference.

Wirecutter.com makes some good reviews for audio and all kinds of gear for the average consumer.