n00b - is it worth it?

[axegrinderbill]

i have an msi k7n2 delta-l, onboard sound i think is ac97. im not an audiophile, but was just wondering if getting a sb live 5.1 or another card of equal value would be better? is it true that using a soundcard relieves stress from the cpu?

[drshivas]

Check out this article about onboard sound and performance.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/game/20030405/index.html

I actually am using an SBLive 5.1 over my onboard sound because I need digital out.

[Yodums]

I'd probably go with the SB Live 5.1. It would save some CPU utilization and now a days most people use the digital port which the onboard doesn't have which drshivas mentioned above.

[shutoutkeeper3]

My onboard sound (Realtek650 ac'97 on a Gigabyte GA-VAXP) has a digital connection via a pci slot cover cable thing.

[WeaponX6X]

yeah it's worth it. Your fps should rise a little and the sq will go up too. Go buy a Hercules Fortissimo III. $40 and it's awesome. I hate creative even though I have one of their cards. I've had problems with their cards. Driver issues and blue screens and screech of death. Hercules is awesome, by their card.

[Damian]

Really? Never had any problems with my SB Live! Value (yeah, I know the sound quality is probably s***, but that's not the point)

The Audigy 1 might make a nice $40 card, although I've heard many people have problems mainly with that card. If you're going for the gold, though, why not just get an m-audio revo or audigy 2? Not much more expensive, and quality's much better.

[Falcon-K]

audigy 2 at newegg.com was 78$ not too shabby