I have a new computersystem where I use the built in mobo sound chips. On my older system I got an Creative Audigo player soundcard.I havn't bothered to to move it to my new system since I doubt I would here any noticable sound quality difference. Or does the mobo embedded sound have to be worse than a separate soundcard?

I have a new computersystem where I use the built in mobo sound chips. On my older system I got an Creative Audigo player soundcard.I havn't bothered to to move it to my new system since I doubt I would here any noticable sound quality difference. Or does the mobo embedded sound have to be worse than a separate soundcard?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. I have a Realtek audio chip on my new eVGA x58 motherboard, and the quality of the sound (especially the mic input) is FAR below that of my relatively ancient Audigy 2 ZS. I ended up putting the Audigy in the new PC for FS use.RegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

I have a new computersystem where I use the built in mobo sound chips. On my older system I got an Creative Audigo player soundcard.I havn't bothered to to move it to my new system since I doubt I would here any noticable sound quality difference. Or does the mobo embedded sound have to be worse than a separate soundcard?

I believe the common understanding is that builtin chips use software emulations to make up for their lack of hardware power. That means more work for the CPU. A good soundcard has all the processing power needed on its own board so CPU does not have to do much of the soundcard's job.

I believe the common understanding is that builtin chips use software emulations to make up for their lack of hardware power. That means more work for the CPU. A good soundcard has all the processing power needed on its own board so CPU does not have to do much of the soundcard's job.

Yes, but on a modern quad-core CPU running FS, there is plenty of spare processing power on the cores to do audio DSP without impacting performance. For me, the issue was not performance, but sound quality and a good suite of controls for PC audio. I still recommend an add-on card, but note that many do now get satisfactory results without one. YMMVRegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

Yes, but on a modern quad-core CPU running FS, there is plenty of spare processing power on the cores to do audio DSP without impacting performance. For me, the issue was not performance, but sound quality and a good suite of controls for PC audio. I still recommend an add-on card, but note that many do now get satisfactory results without one. YMMVRegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

Well I only have a dual core AMD 6000 X2. The mobo isn't one of the most moderns. I had sound quality in mind but didn't think that performence also could be affected.

Well I only have a dual core AMD 6000 X2. The mobo isn't one of the most moderns. I had sound quality in mind but didn't think that performence also could be affected.

I run a AMD 6000 on an older motherboard but I have a soundcard - the Creative X-Fi - and prefer it over the onboard sound. Keep in mind my mobo is indeed 2+ years old now.A brand new system with a HQ motherboard would yield very good sound quality even compared against the newer sound cards available today.

I run a AMD 6000 on an older motherboard but I have a soundcard - the Creative X-Fi - and prefer it over the onboard sound. Keep in mind my mobo is indeed 2+ years old now.A brand new system with a HQ motherboard would yield very good sound quality even compared against the newer sound cards available today.

So you think there is a clearly noticable difference in soundquality between yout onbourd sound and the creative card?

Between my onboard and sound card - yes, but only for games that allow the more advanced EAX settings and some audio tracks, mainly classical stuff (orchestral I mean not rock n roll hehe)

jfri: the major difference is that the onboard card is using a 1bit Digital to Analog converter and the xfi's uses a 24 bit Digital to analog converter. You can even get the auzentech and upgrade to real high end preamps and converters. It's up to you, but if you have an X-fi just sitting there you better put in if you plan to listen to music.

jfri: the major difference is that the onboard card is using a 1bit Digital to Analog converter and the xfi's uses a 24 bit Digital to analog converter. You can even get the auzentech and upgrade to real high end preamps and converters. It's up to you, but if you have an X-fi just sitting there you better put in if you plan to listen to music.

I don't have a X-fi but a model called Sound Blaster Audigo, the cheapest Audigo card. At any rate I have seen that there are no drivers for Win 7 available. And it's Win 7 RC I have on my new system.

I don't have a X-fi but a model called Sound Blaster Audigo, the cheapest Audigo card. At any rate I have seen that there are no drivers for Win 7 available. And it's Win 7 RC I have on my new system.

El cheapo economy sound cards like the Audigy SE do not have their own DSP chip...it's really just a PCI card-mounted version of what's in most motherboards already, and the CPU still does the work. The goal is to put a sound card in that takes the audio processing workload off the CPU and can add some capability to the system that the board-mounted LSI chip doesn't already have. Otherwise, you may as well stick with the onboard sound.RegardsBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

No problems with the onboard sound here, though I usually just use my Delta 1010LT and studio monitors even when playing FS because I'm too lazy to change :(