Are sound cards just a meme or are they actually useful in this day and age? I use pic related, thinking about going back to onboard Realtek audio.
>>53551509
Yes.
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>>53551509
Why not just buy a USB headphone amp/dac than an on-board one?
My motherboard has a integrates sound card, buying another one is a meme.
>>53551509
No, because apparently I fucking have to shell out another $70 because mobo's can't combine Dolby Digital and optical output for some reason. HTPC my fucking ass.
I still can't believe it. My fucking PS2 plays Dolby surround output through optical...as well as my original Xbox and 360. But a current 2016 mobo with state-of-the-art Creative sound chips build in. FUCK NO! Can only do stereo on that shit. You want surround? Use headphone jack connections. Stupidest fucking shit I've ever heard of in all of tech.
>>53551509
If the onboard emits audible hissing or buzzing noises (depends a lot on your listening equipment) or is lacking in connectors, getting a separate card may be an improvement.
You probably don't want one if you don't have problems like that.
get an external DAC over a sound card kids
>>53551509
get a USB DAC instead of a sound card. they're actually good.
>>53551509
Depends on how shity the on board implementation was. Would be better off spending that money on a better motherboard.
>>53551509
They're good for producing and recording very accurate waveforms to debug small electronics, but human ears won't pick up the difference because it's so minute
>>53551509
no, they're great
and asrock has badass sound on board
>>53551509
all Realtek onboard is shit
get either IDT or AD
or get real external soundcard
Just get a receiver and go with optical. Done
>>53551767
fucks wrong with you
optical is obsolete.
Analog handles surround fine.
>>53552705
>optical
>obsolete
>>53552769
Proprietary, autist bs.
Analog stereo is fine unless you plan to open a local theatre or game arcade.
>>53552769
>optical
IT cant do uncompressed 5.1 you fucking mong therefor its outdated as shit
ENJOY YOUR SHIT COMPRESSED DOLBY DIGITAL THO M8
>>53551767
Using it on a TV/Receiver? Use HDMI