Sound Caard and Gaming?

RogueDOc · Mar 6, 2008, 06:20 PM

How much does the sound card have on gaming performance? I have an old Soundblaster LIVE! card. My system is older, and i was wondering how much the sound card has on game performance.

**Vikingod** · Mar 6, 2008, 08:48 PM

Typically, having a soundcard can improve performance, as it will free up cpu cycles. However, if you are running high quality sound, and enabling features like EAX, you might see a slowdown.

Over all, I think having the better quality sound is worth a couple frames.

RogueDOc · Mar 7, 2008, 05:30 PM

Ok. Thanks! I'll look into getting a new sound card.

**dj_stick** · Mar 7, 2008, 06:03 PM

actually EAX tends to increase the framerate, taking away the soundprocessing from the CPU and loading it on the 10kX/20kX chip on the card

RogueDOc · Mar 7, 2008, 06:22 PM

I currently have a Soundblaster LIVE! Value. It came with my Dell. What would you suggest for my system, see specs to the left. Thanks!

**dj_stick** · Mar 7, 2008, 06:48 PM

if the games you play support hardware mixing/acceleration and EAX - then there's no real reason to upgrade, unless you want the newer EAX formats provided by the x-fi and the like

kris23 · Mar 7, 2008, 07:02 PM

X-fi Prelude man