Integrated or cheap sound card?

[DrkLrdsSlv]

For the new system I'm building, I planned on using my existing cheapy 5.1 channel sound card I got for free at Office Max.

Sound card-
http://www.mdmm.com/products/audio/6-channel.asp

Then I noticed my motherboard has integrated 7.1 channel-
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-152-053&depa=1

I only have 4 speakers, so which would be the better choice to use sound quality and processor usage wise?

Thanks,
DrkLrdsSlv

[cornbread]

I think the onboard would be better.

[ajrettke]

not sure on nvidias onboard audio, but for a cheap GREAT....meaning better than audigy for music, checkout the chaintech AV710 it's 25 shipped 2nd day air from zzf, and same price from newegg. It's a great 7.1 card and it's not based on the AC97 which the audigy is...if your more into gaming then I'm not sure....but audigy's are good for gaming (good EAX) and they're round 30 for the audigy 1.

[Emon]

Audigy is AC97? Since when? I believe the onboard nVidia sound (NOT the digital Soundstorm part) is some Realtek AC97 though.

You can't go wrong with the Chaintech AV-710, it's unbeatable value. It outperforms cards five times its price...

[cornbread]

If you are going to buy another sound card I agree with the other 2 post, get the Chaintech AV710, Newegg has it for around 25 bucks.

[DrkLrdsSlv]

Alright, thanks. I think I might go with that.

[ajrettke]

Emon, the Audigy is actualy based on the AC97, it just uses a lot of processing power to improve the signal...it's a bunch of voodoo to me, but you I'm sure a search can give you more info.

[Echo_]

are the chainteks bad for gaming or just not that great?

[Spyd3r]

are the chainteks bad for gaming or just not that great?

Well, I just ordered the Chaintech AV710 to test against my Audigy 2 Zs for sound quality.

The thing the Audigy 2 Zs, which costs like 3-4 times more than the Chaintech cost me, has is the onboard hardware processing. The Audigy 2 will process the sounds on it's own processor and won't load your CPU as much as one that doesn't have the hardware decoding. Cost wise, I think the AV710 would be great for music and DVD's at a really good price.

[Sentential]

I think the onboard would be better.
It *IS* better. That realtek device is only slightly worse than current Audigys

[Buhammot]

If you ask me, there is no point in buyin any sound card from creative after the Sound Blaster Live 5.1... everything else is just bloatware and features most games dont even have, and certifications most people dont use. THX for example... Underground 2, THX certified, i was lookin for surround gaming at least...

Indeed the creative has good gaming cards, but iwouldnt spend more than 30 bucks for one if you can help it.