Sound card question?

[Denvers Dawgs]

I currently have my stock(original sound card) that came with my HP. Someone just gave me a Creative Sound Blaster PCI 512 card, and i was wondering is there going to be a noticable difference to me? I don't play games on my pc I only web search/download, edit videos, and play mp3s. So will the sound be noticably better, if just used in this way, and not used for games?

[redwudz]

Probably not much difference, if any. Most MBs have a decent sound card these days and most are 'Sound Blaster' compatible. The difference may be the availability of 5.1 sound or more controls or sound channels available. However, if your output is to the standard 2 speaker system on your computer, no real difference.

[gooberguy]

^^^ ditto

[waheed]

The soundblaster PCI 512 card is a very old card, not to mention it was an entry level card at time of release. I could tell you now that some decent onboard sound can perform better than the 512 card.

Nope, you will notice no difference from such as old card.

[ofbarea]

The Sound Blaster PCI 512 will support natively EAX (an older EAX version). Then if you play games you may have better effects with this PCI card, than using the build in sound. Try a game that you with your current card and then repeat the same test with the 512 and use whatever sound better to you

You may get the last released drivers in here.

[Denvers Dawgs]

I don't play PC games that's why I'm asking if its worth opening my pc to install something that is't really going to affect the sound of mp3s much.....

[ofbarea]

If your MP3s sound good, probably you do not need to install the creative card.

[rhegedus]

When I was building my PC, I splurged and bought a Soundblaster Audigy Platinum for £100.

Can I tell the difference over the soundblaster hardware on the motherboard? Can I hell!

If you just have 2 speakers, then I really wouldn't bother getting another soundcard. Save/spend the £ for something else instead.

[waheed]

I have a Soundblaster Audidy 2 Platinum (bought over 2 years ago for £150). I can tell the difference over my onboard sound. But then again, i guess it also depends on the speaker system.

There wouldn't be much noticable difference if you using standard 2 speakers. But when I switched to a multi speaker system (Cambridge Megaworks 650D 6.1 Speakers, in my case), I noticed the difference. But thats my opinion.

[ROF]

Depending on the stock card in your HP you may actually degrade your sound by using such an old soundcard in that system. if the HP is a newer system and doesn't have a soundcard(onboard audio) you will definitely be degrading your sound system by adding this older hardware. If you are concerned about your audio, which I wouldn't be considering your uses, a newer card could be found for $20.

[anitract]

Before we can give a definitive answer...How old is your computer? What is the sound card in it?

[Denvers Dawgs]

Bought new 2001. I think i'm just going to stick with the stock sound. I only use 2 speakers. I only asked about this card because it was given to me for free unopend, and didn't know anything about it or souindcards in general...Thanks for all you help but I'm just going to stay with what I have.

NO NEED TO REPLY TO THIS POST ANYMORE

Thank you all