View Full Version : Best Budget Sound Card
laserazer
12-05-2007, 04:21 AM
What's the best sound card I can get for my desktop pc for around 30-40 dollars? I hear either creative or diamond. Any particular version? PCI/PCI Expressx1?
neoMAX
12-05-2007, 12:38 PM
PCI. First off, does your motherboard have on-board sound? If it does, it may not be worth it to buy a new sound card. Second, are you interested in 5.1, 7.1, etc? If so, it may cost a little more. I know that the Realtek AC'97 on-board sound can do I believe 5.1.
But yeah, PCI. And if you want a budget card, a Creative might not be so bad.
Check out www.newegg.com. Not the best place for sound cards, but they do offer some cheap deals.
Vinny
12-05-2007, 06:24 PM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102002
But take note that most on board sound will be good enough in lower range at this price range (if you have it). It's not until you get to the mid/higher volumes you'll notice the difference.
Moxio
12-05-2007, 06:29 PM
Vinny's right, though at only $30, that looks really decent.
metaly
12-05-2007, 06:48 PM
DO NOT BUY the Audigy SE. I tried one out a few weeks ago and after having tons of stuttering issues, I read on many different forums that it doesn't support hardware rendering. I can't even begin to make sense of that.
vihit
12-05-2007, 06:52 PM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829120103
or
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Diamond-Multimedia-XtremeSound-7-1-24-bit-Sound-Card-xs71/sem/rpsm/oid/152976/catOid/-12961/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
I have the 1st card in a HTPC, and it's been working great for me.
I have the 2nd card in my main PC after my Audigy 4 died. I was gonna use it as a temporary card, but it's been working well so I'm debating on if I need to replace it.
Swingman
12-05-2007, 11:14 PM
I never buy a stand alone sound card. My ears apparently stink enough that I think the onboard sound is good.
I put a fan in my slot that is supposed to be for the sound card. It keeps my video card a couple degrees cooler.
Serik
12-06-2007, 12:58 AM
Never owned a sound card and never will. My speakers aren't exactly crap, but they wouldn't do anything beyond onboard sound justice. Plus I just don't like dealing with the added hassle of one more thing inside the PC. Would a $40 card even make a difference?
metaly
12-06-2007, 05:20 AM
Hey vihit, I noticed the Diamond 7.1 card you recommended was at Fry's for $20 after rebate, so I picked it up. I'm having some issues, though. The sound was awful using the disc drivers, so I had Windows update them and now it's back to about 90% normal, unless I try to enable EAX and then everything's choppy. What drivers do you recommend, and what games/settings do you play mostly?
mofo1115
12-06-2007, 07:45 PM
I have a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 7.1 + the goodies I can hook you up for $21 shipped if you want. It is the same as this one :
http://cgi.ebay.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-Audigy-2-Value-7-1-HD-SB0400-NEW_W0QQitemZ140163065477QQihZ004QQcategoryZ44981Q QrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
Vinny
12-06-2007, 08:11 PM
Hey vihit, I noticed the Diamond 7.1 card you recommended was at Fry's for $20 after rebate, so I picked it up. I'm having some issues, though. The sound was awful using the disc drivers, so I had Windows update them and now it's back to about 90% normal, unless I try to enable EAX and then everything's choppy. What drivers do you recommend, and what games/settings do you play mostly?
I too have that card, bought it when it was like $40 but I don't regret it at all. It's a great card.
When I bought it, it was fairly unknown but almost half the reviews on Newegg said to use the C-Media CMI8768+ drivers (the card is made by Diamond but uses the CMI8768+ audio chip). I used those drivers from day one and never had an issue.
But C-Media's site is currently down.
vihit
12-07-2007, 03:22 PM
Hey vihit, I noticed the Diamond 7.1 card you recommended was at Fry's for $20 after rebate, so I picked it up. I'm having some issues, though. The sound was awful using the disc drivers, so I had Windows update them and now it's back to about 90% normal, unless I try to enable EAX and then everything's choppy. What drivers do you recommend, and what games/settings do you play mostly?
http://cmediadrivers.googlepages.com/home
I used the drivers from that site. I have Vista on my PC, and neither Diamond or C-Media had Vista drivers. I tried out the drivers from that site and my card has been working flawlessly.
why not use your motherboard's sound card? Now days most mobo does a decent job.