IW11 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 At present I'm using an on board sound card. My computer, although reasonable spec, doesn't run fsx as well as I would like, best described as borderline. I'm wondering is a dedicated sound card would help, would it off load some work & give even a small performance boost or is it a waste of time? Just a theory. \ Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice_King Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Not necessarily BUT the use of a PCI or even external USB sound Processing device may infact give superior results simply because that is what it is designed to do. I've never really been a fan of all the on-board inclusions these days such as sound and Video but they work, you could use your on-board for your ATC and Vatsim Audio etc and the additional Sound Device as your main Audio Output, this configuration works very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
}SkOrPn--7 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 At present I'm using an on board sound card. My computer, although reasonable spec, doesn't run fsx as well as I would like, best described as borderline. I'm wondering is a dedicated sound card would help, would it off load some work & give even a small performance boost or is it a waste of time? Just a theory. \ Ian Ian in my opinion you can't beat a dedicated sound card they do relieve some of the work load but if FSX is your main enjoyment then again in my opinion FSX doesn't do the best job of utilising sound or surround sound so save your pennies stick with onboard. Lets face it if your not going to go surround sound and spend a little $$$ to get that luxury of a quality PCI sound card and speaker system then don't even invest in such a venture you will be disappointed in performance and sound quality that's my take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice_King Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 As far as I am aware FSX isn't surround capable so comments against FSX and surround sound might be unfounded. If you configure your system properly the sound packages from various aircraft replicate rather well I thought, there are a few that seem to a little loopy but these I have edited to increas the actual length of the sound file and removed the sudden change sometimes evident when the sound restarts. I use a matrix sound system from Logitech which can give you a wider spatial separation makeing the sounds appear as if in a larger room but quality speakers placed strategically helps immensely. I'd advise getting yourself a true Soundblaster and not a bloody generic copy with Creative Chips and then utilize this as your primary sound device and run your VATSIM Voice Client, TS, Skype, and other VOIP clients etc through the on board card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Webb Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 My advice is that unless you're a sound freak, you could get a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Card PCI Express (~80 bucks) or a Creative SoundBlaster Audigy SE Sound Card 7.1 (~40 bucks). I don't buy too much into the argument of getting a soundcard for better performance. This is true, but you'd be better off using the $$'s for a faster CPU. Do the cost/benefit analysis math. To see if getting a sound card would actually help, try disabling the inbuilt soundcard in your BIOS and then fire up FSX to see the if there's difference... Cheers, Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krono Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Hi I would not even consider using an on board sound card The difference between the diifferent systems is like chalk and cheese. If you have you system running through a decent amp an speaker setup then go for a decent card. I have a soundblaster XFI fatality card and have not looked back. It is also a low latency card so is exceptional if using it in music software playback in Sibelius for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice_King Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Sibelius thats composition software yes ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolter van der Spoel Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Sibelius was a finnish Composer that wrote some wonderfull pieces of music Maurice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krono Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 HI Sibelius was a composer yes.. but I was talking about the software program for writing and playback of written sheet music to be able to input your music via keyboaord or wind instrument and listen to the output a low latency card is essential.. otherwise there is a good difference in the time that you input your music to when you hear it.. Also if you are using natural sounds rather than a normal midi file a good soundcard is needed for s decent output. A good example would be using Garritan Personal Orchestra in Sibelius Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 maybe just a cheapy mate im just getting on of the creative ones because i usually use headphones and not speakers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Webb Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 HI Sibelius was a composer yes.. but I was talking about the software program for writing and playback of written sheet music to be able to input your music via keyboaord or wind instrument and listen to the output a low latency card is essential.. otherwise there is a good difference in the time that you input your music to when you hear it.. Also if you are using natural sounds rather than a normal midi file a good soundcard is needed for s decent output. A good example would be using Garritan Personal Orchestra in Sibelius Anyone know how Sibelius compares to Steinberg? I used Steinberg Score about 13 years ago and found it pretty good. Haven't had a proper program for a while but I always want to... Cheers, Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krono Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Sorry Matt I have never used Steinberg. Have allways used Sibelius so I cannot compare. I hope someone else here can for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ja50n01 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I swear i read somewhere that a Sound card will help increase FSX performance and all other games. I can't remember who or where but I bought into it and have had 4 Soundblaster cards since. I couldn't be without one now. But it is meant to help with FSX performance, but I'm no expert. good luck with the purchase, if you decide too Jas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolter van der Spoel Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 you did read it correctly Jason, with a dedicated Soundcard you free up resources on the Mobo, hence the CPU, also when using a dedicated soundcard, btw you can select the stock windows sound contraption or your Soundcard in fsX, check the Sound settings at startup of fsX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Webb Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I swear i read somewhere that a Sound card will help increase FSX performance and all other games. I can't remember who or where but I bought into it and have had 4 Soundblaster cards since. I couldn't be without one now. But it is meant to help with FSX performance, but I'm no expert. good luck with the purchase, if you decide too Jas As Wolter said, that is correct. Motherboard soundcards are mostly a software implementation that the CPU has to process. Dedicated soundcards come with a dedicated chip to do that processing. So you will get some performance benefit. But my point is that if you're about to spend 230 bucks on a new CPU and 80 bucks on a soundcard, you'll get better performance if you just spend 310 bucks on a new CPU. Cheers, Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolter van der Spoel Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Matt has a valid point there get the fastest CPU you can afford, next month you can divert some funds for a soundcard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bosch Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I think a lot depends on the integrated sound though. My motherboard, an MSI P-35 NeoFIR, uses the Realtek ALC888 as its on-board sound. Common opinion on the net reckons this chip sounds just as good as most sound cards (most comparisons are against the Audigy 2ZS it seems). Also, as far as I know, being a dedicated sound chip it doesn't affect the CPU at all. It's just like having a sound card plugged in, but integrated onto the motherboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolter van der Spoel Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 at the end of the day it's your decision, we merely can advise as the abouts and whats. I only can add spend your pennies wisely, you get to spend them only once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ja50n01 Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 I swear i read somewhere that a Sound card will help increase FSX performance and all other games. I can't remember who or where but I bought into it and have had 4 Soundblaster cards since. I couldn't be without one now. But it is meant to help with FSX performance, but I'm no expert. good luck with the purchase, if you decide too Jas As Wolter said, that is correct. Motherboard soundcards are mostly a software implementation that the CPU has to process. Dedicated soundcards come with a dedicated chip to do that processing. So you will get some performance benefit. But my point is that if you're about to spend 230 bucks on a new CPU and 80 bucks on a soundcard, you'll get better performance if you just spend 310 bucks on a new CPU. Cheers, Matt. I totally agree Processor first, I wasted money on a 2 x Core 2 Duo only to then buy a third being a QX9650 but an XFI extreme Music Card. I couldn't afford the Extreme Processor but went for it on the Credit Card. But I wonder if i skimped on the Sound Card. I can't help feeling a XFi Fatality Gamer may help a few FPS. cheers Jas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IW11 Posted November 12, 2008 Author Share Posted November 12, 2008 I agree that a new processor would be the best way. My processor is a double core 3.2 so what should I go to next assuming I retain the same mb? If I've got to change the mb then I probably should change the whole computer. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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