Author Topic: How important is a soundcard verses the default MOBO sound output? (Read 409 times)

eskimo2 · « **on:** July 08, 2004, 05:38:30 PM »

I don't have a sound card, I've always used the default sound port installed on the MOBO. If I'm having sound problems with AH II, would a sound card likely clear things up? (I've never had any sound problems with AH I or any other prog)

Operating System System Model
Windows Millennium Edition (build 4.90.3000) ECS K7AMA 1.0
Asset Tag: 0123ABC
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.40 gigahertz AMD Athlon
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: ECS K7AMA 1.0
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 062710 07/15/97
Drives Memory Modules c,d
40.01 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
29.06 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

CD-R/RW CW099D CD-R/RW [CD-ROM drive]
HITACHI DVD-ROM GD-2500 [CD-ROM drive]
Generic floppy disk drive (3.5")

Generic STORAGE DEVICE [Hard drive] -- drive 255, rev 0.01
WDC WD400BB-34DEA0 [Hard drive] (40.02 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WCAD12822072, rev 05.03E05, SMART Status: Healthy 1024 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot '0' has 512 MB
Slot '1' has 512 MB
Slot '2' is Empty
Slot '3' is Empty
Local Drive Volumes

c: (on drive 0) 40.01 GB 29.06 GB free

Controllers Display
Standard Floppy Disk Controller
ALi M5229 PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo) NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200 [Display adapter]
Default Monitor
ViewSonic A90f+ [Monitor] (17.7"vis, s/n 351031950334, May 2003)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
ALi PCI to USB Open Host Controller
ALi PCI to USB Open Host Controller ALi Audio Accelerator WDM driver
Gameport Joystick (no joystick connected)
HID-compliant game controller
HID-compliant game controller
HID-compliant game controller
Communications Other Devices
Realtek RTL8139(A) PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
Network Card MAC Address: 000:09:C6:6C:20
Network IP Address: 24.93.170.83 / 24 CH Control Manager Root Device
CH Fighterstick USB
CH Pro Pedals USB
CH Pro Throttle USB
CH Control Manager Aux1 Device
CH Control Manager Aux2 Device
CH Control Manager Device 1
CH Control Manager Device 2
CH Control Manager Device 3
HID-compliant keyboard
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
HID-compliant mouse
USB Disk
Generic USB Hub
USB Mass Storage Device
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub

eskimo

Orig · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2004, 03:04:03 AM »

Give winXP a shot.

Onboard sound will take cpu cycles which slows down your computer, but it should not affect stability. WinME on the other hand has several well documented problems that do affect stability.

If I wanted to make someone hate computers forever, I'd give them a computer with winME on it.

MOIL · « **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2004, 03:13:11 AM »

This is going to be your biggest obsticle
"Windows Millennium Edition (build 4.90.3000)"

Yes, a PCI S/C would prob help out, {some} but with a sub-standard O.S. and with certain drivers written specifically for that O.S.

One of the many reasons MS pulled it

Toss in an Audigy2 and live in glorious sound:cool:

Eagler · « **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2004, 07:05:05 AM »

I see this thread answers my other question

I found a huge difference going from my onboard sound to an audigy2 card. The quality was much improved and as they stated above, it does relieve the cpu from having to mess with the onboard sound.

... and get XP Pro

jay1988 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2004, 11:16:18 AM »

I need a cheap good sound card, can u guys recommend one please:)

Skuzzy · « **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2004, 12:59:44 PM »

Define 'cheap', and then define 'good' as they are usually mutally exclusive terms.

Hajo · « **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2004, 01:15:30 PM »

Don't toss in an Audigy2 if you have Via chipsets!

They don't work with Via chipsets! They have issues with them according to Creative Tech.

I ended up reformating my hard drive because I tried to install an Audigy2ZS soundcard.....get the SB Live 5.1 for 30 dollars.

Great card for a great price......great 5.1 surround also.

MOIL · « **Reply #7 on:** July 09, 2004, 01:26:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hajo
Don't toss in an Audigy2 if you have Via chipsets!

They don't work with Via chipsets! They have issues with them according to Creative Tech.

I ended up reformating my hard drive because I tried to install an Audigy2ZS soundcard.....get the SB Live 5.1 for 30 dollars.

Great card for a great price......great 5.1 surround also.

Yes the Audigy series has some issues with certain VIA chipsets, he'll be fine with the ALI chipset that he has.
The Elitegroup K7AMA uses a ALi® Magic 1645(NB) & Magic 1535D+(SB) Chipset.

Jay1988, what price range were you looking at for a sound card? and do you have a PCI slot avail for this S/C?

Orig · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2004, 06:00:30 PM »

My Audigy2 ZS works just fine on my ABIT VIA KT266A based Athlon mobo. Earlier via chipsets had some problems but I think they were fixed. The ECS K7AMA uses an ALi chipset which shouldn't have the same problems with the soundblaster cards as the via chipset did.

jay1988 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 09, 2004, 11:13:53 PM »

Thanks I will go for the soundblaster 5.1:)

SunKing · « **Reply #10 on:** July 10, 2004, 02:16:36 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hajo
..get the SB Live 5.1 for 30 dollars.

Great card for a great price..

So wrong.. CPU hog!!! not for gamers.

eskimo2 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 10, 2004, 02:22:41 PM »

I know Win ME sucks, but it played AH-1 just fine and I really don't want to install a new OS. I'll move on to the next OS when I build my next game machine and demote this one to surfing and work.

What sound card could make a big improvement over the onboard sound for under $50? I really don't care about sound, I just want to play the game.

eskimo