Recommended sound card for FPS gaming on PC?

[Donjuan424242]

Hi. I recently picked up a pair of Sennheiser 598 headphones and I was wondering what's the "go to standard" for sound cards? I'd like to get something that will help me take full advantage of the sound stage on my headphones to give me optimal directional audio cues. I currently do not have a budget. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

[skaterdude97]

*I am not an audio guy this is just what I've heard* I keep hearing that its not worth it to get a sound card, the ones on motherboards are good enough. People keep recomending an external DAC(digital to analog converter) especialy the ODAC.

[IAmGhostDog]

*I am not an audio guy this is just what I've heard* I keep hearing that its not worth it to get a sound card, the ones on motherboards are good enough.

This is what I know to be true.
When ever I do a new build I always take the onboard sound for a spin.
Most recently my Gigabyte board.
I game. I listen to music.
And then I put a dedicated sound card in.
(Been running my HT|Omega for a lot of years)
Night and day.
While sound is a subjective matter and onboard is adequate for most users, discerning ears will readily be able to tell the difference.

[frogmeat69]

I always thought onboard sound was good enough.... until I bought a sound card. Even the $60 Creative Sound Blaster Audigy RX card I bought made a huge difference, for music and gaming. Saved me from getting knifed more than a few times in BF4, could hear them walking up from behind, much more clear and defined sound. I still use the card for gaming and TS, but picked up an external DAC / headphone amp for music listening, bet it would make those HD598s sound great. BTW, Amazon has those cans for $147, damn tempting.

[Downdude]

I would say that it depends on how much you are willing to spend. If your onboard audio has a digital output and money is no object by all means get a good external DAC w a head phone amp suitable for your headphones. But if you don't have a lot of money to spend I'd recommend getting an Asus Xonar DG (pci) or Xonar DGX (pcie). You can get these for under $50. I use the DG and run it to an external headphone amp although the built in headphone amp is pretty decent as well. I got tired of creative dropping support for their older hardware and stopped buying their products.

[Elmy]

Asus Essence STX sound card is pretty amazing.

[Zoea]

I hope no-one minds if I bump this thread.

I have an Asus Xonar DX and I've not plugged it in since I have a new Asus Z170 Pro Gaming motherboard. Which is going to give me the better sound and CPU utilisation?

PS for the Original Poster I would recommend a Xonar soundcard unless you are blessed with a motherboard audio system that might match one.

[Spyd3r]

Xonars now STXs or even fatality soundblasters even though not very pop[ular anymore

But some mobos have decent very good onboard sound, check em out you wont tell the difference, Asrock Purity audio or Asus Supreme FX

[ThE_MarD]

Heyyo,

Don't get a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Recon 3D or Z series sound card unless you never plan on Linux/SteamOS... their non-existent support for it is lame and the 64bit kernel firmware loader is busted.

I'd definitely recommend a USB DAC. Sometimes my Recon 3D is still prone to crackling sound but luckily the updated Windows 10 driver doesn't seem to suffer the same issue nearly as badly as before in Windows 7.

[Sunako]

I have a sound blaster Z and a ZXr they are great just be aware that in window 10 the pcie card some times arent seen as the right device and you might have to restart/ sleep/ reseat them to get them working again. I love mine to death but creative not trying to
fix the issue for almost a year now is getting tiresome.

[i7Baby]

Any mobo with an ALC1150 realtek audio chip will be as good as most low end sound cards. You'll find ALC1150 is most high end mobos.

You only need a high end sound card for high fidelity sound eg music editing.

[wendy oltman]

I have mixed feelings with Sound cards. I grew up only using Soundblaster and even my current system has an X-Fi Titanium powered by Logitech Z-5500's. However, a couple of years ago I decided to buy a gaming headset (Logitech G930) and it's completely changed my outlook. I pretty much only use my headset now... the sound is loud and doesn't disturb anyone since I can't play games without high audio levels. That would be something to think about instead of getting a sound card.