I just had a new system built and am using on board sound card.I have been reading that a good sound card will take some of the work away from the CPu and help with frame rates.I have 2.4 quad 660 with2 gb ram and 8800 gt 512 mb video.The sound seems okay but if a soynd card will improve performance I will do it.I have gone this far.If so what is recommended?I had soundblaster way back in one of my units.Thanks,Ron

Ron,What chip is your onboard sound based on? or motherboard did you build your new system around?

Here are my specs from the computer store:1 INTEL CPU CORE 2 QUAD Q6600 2.40GHZ FSB1066MHZ 8M LGA775 DG33TLM 1 INTEL MB BOXDG33TLM 1333FSB DR2 800 AUD+LAN RAID 6 SATA SUPPORT FOR INTEL QUAD-CORE PROCESSORS AND INTEL VIIV PROCESSOR TECHNOLOGY INTEL HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO SUBSYSTEM IN THE FOLLOWING CONFIGURATION: - 8-CHANNEL (7.1) AUDIO SUBSYSTEM WITH FIVE ANALOG AUDIO OUTPUTS AND ONE OPTICAL S/PDIF DIGITAL AUDIO OUTPUT USING THE SIGMATEL 7250B 1 ENLIGHT 72500AZB 7BAY ATX MID-TWR 300W 8CM 2-USB FRONT W/CABLE AMD P4 HT BLACK1 CARD READER 13 IN 11 WESTERN DIGITAL 160 GB SATA 3 YEAR WARRANTY HARD DRIVE0708 1GB DDR2 667 PC5300 MEMEORY S1078263 DVD+R / DVD+RW / DVD-R / DVD-RW / DVD+R9/ DVD-R9/DVD-ROM / CD-R/ CD-RW / CD-ROM COMBINATION DRIVE DOUBLE LAYER DVD+/- R9 RECORDING FUNCTIONMICROSOFT XP PROFESSIONAL ( RECOMMENDED BY SYSTEM BUILDERS ) 1 NVIDIA 8800 GT 512 mb Thanks,Ron

Ron, The audio chipset is based on SigmaTel STAC9271D chip.What type of frame rates are you getting with your current setup and do you notice graphics problem (stuttering etc..) coinciding with something specific with the audio?Only reason I'm asking, is in the past on board audio could really effect things. Nowadays, I'm not so sure it's such a problem as it was in the past. Both chipsets and drivers are much more evolved today.You may get some benefit upgrading to a dedicated card. Truth is, I'm really not sure what kind of mileage you will get out of FSX just cause you change to a dedicated sound card.

I really don't have any complaints.My settings are fairly high and I get9-13 at KJFK or KSEA,but pretty smooth and the they gradually increase to 20-40.I just reduce settings temporarily till I get out of high traffic ares if it bothers me.Whan ATC is talking I can't adjust settings in AP.I guess I am just wondering if many people are running dedicated cards.My onboard is plenty good for the few times I listen to music or videos.Thanks,Ron

I doubt a soundcard with your setup with make much difference. Your CPU has enough overhead with the FSB to make it a moot point. If you have a good soundblaster or better laying around, use it. If not, don't worry about it.

Thanks,That makes it simple.Ron

I have an Intel MB with the same sound processor as yours.I'm running an E6700 Dual Core processor and using on-board sound. A dedicated sound card makes absolutely no difference on this board (I have tried running with both, a SoundBlaster Audigy 2zs and on-board sound, and saw no difference). If I were you I would save the money for something more usefull, rather than a dedicated sound card!Pete S.

Dont even think twice. Go grab a Sound Blaster for 50 bucks or so. I bought the cheap one "Audigy SE" a while back and saw a increase in CPU performance as well as sound quality. The whole reason I bought my card was so I could get 5.1 surround with my new Logitech THX speakers. Definently worth the $30, IMHO. :)

Why spend the $50 for a cheap SoundBlaster, when the Sigma sound on his Motherboard will deliver an excellent 7.1 surround that is as good or better than the SoundBlaster's? He has an Intel Quad Core CPU that has certainly more than enough to power to handle the onboard sound without any loss in performance.Pete S.

Thanks for all the info from all you guys.It was just an inquiry and I appreciate the help.I just want to do any little thing that might get me better performance in FS.I am an old guy and this stuff about getting the best frame rates and performance out of our computers is reminiscence of us old guys doing the same thing with our cars a long time ago.We used to tweak everything we could to get a little more UUMPH.Ron

Nowadays I predict it's a total moot point. 5 years ago there I did some benchmarking of CPU utilization with my Audigy II versus onboard realtek. The Aud won out, slightly. Since today's onboard audio and CPUs are SOOO much more potent it may actually slow things down having to route thru a whole other device and so forth.

Considering the fact my PC is over 3 years old, I can only speak from experience. Im sure his system could build him a mansion if he asked it to. Mine could maybe throw me a cardboard box if given the same task. 2 different computers... I was only speaking from my personal experience.

>.......... Im sure his system could build him a>mansion if he asked it to. Mine could maybe throw me a>cardboard box if given the same task. 2 different computers...:-lol Mine will only build a 3 bdrm Ranch style! :-lol Pete S. :-beerchug

Atleast it has electricity!