Simple Build, 100% dedicated for AHII only - Help/Input Needed

[Fulmar]

All you need to do is look at the overall scoring to see this is a synthetic garbage "benchmark".

Seriously, his evidence is a synthetic benchmark?  "Man 2x the score must mean its twice as fast, right?!"  How about some real world applications. 
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/desktop-cpu-charts-q3-2008/benchmarks,31.html

[BaldEagl]

See Rule #4

[Fulmar]

See Rule #4

[Masherbrum]

 

[Skuzzy]

I think a soundcard takes an INsignificant amount of process away from the CPU. it's used more so for a good surround sound speaker system. not many think "get a soundcard" when trying to improve gaming performance.
<snip>

That is due to most people not having a clue how computer hardware really works.  Add to the fact that most of the top 10 games are video card bound, not CPU bound and you have a recipe for not caring about the sound card.

Aces High II is very CPU dependent, as any really good flight simulator should be.  Even if we had top 10 game graphics, we would still be very dependent on the CPU.

A really good sound card can make a very significant difference in the way the game runs.

[Masherbrum]

That is due to most people not having a clue how computer hardware really works.  Add to the fact that most of the top 10 games are video card bound, not CPU bound and you have a recipe for not caring about the sound card.

Aces High II is very CPU dependent, as any really good flight simulator should be.  Even if we had top 10 game graphics, we would still be very dependent on the CPU.

A really good sound card can make a very significant difference in the way the game runs.

Yep.   I thought my current would be "fine with onboard sound."   Explosions in any game, would go to silence at their apex.   I threw in my old Audigy Gamer and "viola!" I don't have that problem.   

Stran, I have an ASUS P5K-E, E8400, 4GB's of RAM and 8800GTS KO.    Sound cards have their place for use in a build. 

[Miller]

A really good sound card can make a very significant difference in the way the game runs.

Is there like a simple sound card that has it's own processor that isn't too expensive? 

I really just want to take the sound load off of the CPU, but I am only using a headset, no speakers or surround sound.

[Miller]

I have been looking through sound cards and headsets and I think I found what I want:

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail  ($34)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102012
-OR-
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail ($49)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102007

Head Set:
TRITTON AX 51 Pro 3.5mm Circumaural True 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset  ($89)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826235007

It looks like those sound cards have their own processor, right? 
Does that mean these cards will take the sound processing load off of the CPU?
(Skuzzy, GetBack...?)

Also, the Headset says 5.1 surround, but most of the sound cards were 7.1 Channels. 
What does that mean, and is that going to be an issue?

[Skuzzy]

I apologize Miller.  I thought someone would have jumped in and had an answer for you on this.

I cannot make any recommendations to hardware or software.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I have been looking through sound cards and headsets and I think I found what I want:

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail  ($34)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102012
-OR-
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail ($49)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102007

Head Set:
TRITTON AX 51 Pro 3.5mm Circumaural True 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset  ($89)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826235007

It looks like those sound cards have their own processor, right? 
Does that mean these cards will take the sound processing load off of the CPU?
(Skuzzy, GetBack...?)

Also, the Headset says 5.1 surround, but most of the sound cards were 7.1 Channels. 
What does that mean, and is that going to be an issue?

If you're using XP the audigy will probably be a better choice due to its lower price. On Vista X-Fi is better supported as far as drivers go AFAIK.

The 5.1 on the headset is not a problem. 7.1 is more marketing than true improvement in sound.

Perhaps on a very large hometheater seating a dozen or more people can benefit from 7.1.

Even your headset will not be true 5.1 if it's truly a surround headset and not a set of speakers. The .1 part refers to a subwoofer which a headphone can't have nor can it have a center channel (the 5th speaker) unless you get some exotic headset with a speaker hanging on your nose  .

[Getback]

I have been looking through sound cards and headsets and I think I found what I want:

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail  ($34)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102012
-OR-
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail ($49)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102007

Head Set:
TRITTON AX 51 Pro 3.5mm Circumaural True 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset  ($89)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826235007

It looks like those sound cards have their own processor, right? 
Does that mean these cards will take the sound processing load off of the CPU?
(Skuzzy, GetBack...?)

Also, the Headset says 5.1 surround, but most of the sound cards were 7.1 Channels. 
What does that mean, and is that going to be an issue?

7.1 means 7 speakers and 1 subwoofer.

I don't have a recommendation on which is best. I'm sure that both cards are okay.

[1701E]

I have been looking through sound cards and headsets and I think I found what I want:

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail  ($34)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102012
-OR-
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Retail ($49)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102007

Head Set:
TRITTON AX 51 Pro 3.5mm Circumaural True 5.1 Surround Sound Gaming Headset  ($89)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826235007

It looks like those sound cards have their own processor, right? 
Does that mean these cards will take the sound processing load off of the CPU?
(Skuzzy, GetBack...?)

Also, the Headset says 5.1 surround, but most of the sound cards were 7.1 Channels. 
What does that mean, and is that going to be an issue?

I have the first sound card listed (Audigy SE), got it on the 18th, and it works fine for me.  I use Logitech X-530 5.1 speakers with it and it sounds good, but I have no idea what "good" sound sounds like.
Only troubles I had was my own fault, forgot to put the screw to hold it in, turn PC off, moved it and it came loose.

Makes games much more realistic in 5.1

[Miller]

I cannot make any recommendations to hardware or software.

I understand, but my whole purpose for getting a sound card was to take the function off of the CPU, like you said before. 
I just wanted to make sure the card I get will accomplish that. 
So, I don't need a recommendation, but if anyone knows could they give me a yes or no?

[Miller]

If you're using XP the audigy will probably be a better choice due to its lower price. On Vista X-Fi is better supported as far as drivers go AFAIK.

The 5.1 on the headset is not a problem. 7.1 is more marketing than true improvement in sound.

Perhaps on a very large hometheater seating a dozen or more people can benefit from 7.1.

Even your headset will not be true 5.1 if it's truly a surround headset and not a set of speakers. The .1 part refers to a subwoofer which a headphone can't have nor can it have a center channel (the 5th speaker) unless you get some exotic headset with a speaker hanging on your nose  .

LOL, if it had an extra vibrating speaker, I know a better place to put it 

I am going to use XP, so I will probably go ahead and go with the Audigy, provided that it does what I need it to.

[Fulmar]

I've had an X-FI for about 18 months.  It was a considerable marked improvement in sound quality from my original Audigy Platnium.  I did have a feedback problem when my volume was turned up, but it turned out to be a BIOS issue that was solved with a BIOS flash on my motherboard.

Never had a driver issue in XP in SP2 or SP3.  Though soundblasters' auto update interface through their website can be a pain in the butt at times.