I'm going to buy a 25$ cheap sound card, but what I want to know is, If I get a dirt cheap sound card would it be better than my onboard sound? Is there a possibility it can be worse?

My guess is that ANYTHING is better than onboard. Especially on a computer that's not too great.

I just want to make sure.

I'm using RealTek HD or something around there.

As long as its better in games or music making software, etc then im fine.

-doesn't matter if its 0.001% of a difference-

My guess is that ANYTHING is better than onboard.

That might end up being a bad guess then. On-board audio quality has improved dramatically over the last few years with some motherboards supporting high quality audio. I would expect a $25 card to yield negligible improvement. You must remember that both on-board and cards depend on "powered" speakers (if not using head phones). The sound cards and on-board are simply "processing" audio, something even budget systems do inexpensively and satisfactorily for most users. This is significant because it is in amplifiers where distortion most occurs, and where fidelity (depending on the quality of the speakers) shines.

Therefore, before spending money on a cheap card, I would invest in a quality speaker system first. Then if you still are unhappy, get a good card, not a cheap one.

Originally Posted by Digerati

That might end up being a bad guess then. On-board audio quality has improved dramatically over the last few years with some motherboards supporting high quality audio. I would expect a $25 card to yield negligible improvement. You must remember that both on-board and cards depend on "powered" speakers (if not using head phones). The sound cards and on-board are simply "processing" audio, something even budget systems do inexpensively and satisfactorily for most users. This is significant because it is in amplifiers where distortion most occurs, and where fidelity (depending on the quality of the speakers) shines.

Therefore, before spending money on a cheap card, I would invest in a quality speaker system first. Then if you still are unhappy, get a good card, not a cheap one.

Thankyou

You're welcome.

Just noticed your other question - RealTek is a major player in on-board sound devices, probably has been since the beginning of on-board sound. They make a whole "line" of devices so the exact model/version is need. Entry level motherboards use entry level devices with basic features, maybe only left and right stereo. Mid-level sound may go on mid level motherboards, and support 5.1 surround. Then to differentiate their top boards, motherboard makers use high-end devices with many features and the most channels (up to 10 channels that I know of, for 9.1 sound).

That does not mean you cannot get good sound from an economy motherboard - that's fairly current (less than 4 or 5 years old). It may not pass for serious "listening" (laid back in recliner, eyes closed or focused a 100 miles away type listening). But for gaming and watching DVDs on your computer monitor, good speakers can sound really good!

Also note that many speakers systems support digital input directly. If the card (or on-board) provides a digital output, then using that by-passes any digital to analog (line out) conversion the card/on-board may have to do. The task is handed off to the speaker's electronics, which hopefully uses the higher end codec devices than found on the entry level motherboards. Clear as mud, huh?

what is exactly is this"$25 sound card? if its a sound blaster card, then it would be generly better if its like from IBM then, just like don't do it.