Pc gamers/ pc guru's chime in

[f22a4bandit]

Do you really NEED a sound card, or just WANT one? To be honest, onboard sound is A LOT better than what it used to be. Unless you're mixing music, or are just super anal about sound quality, you really don't need a sound card.

Then again, it's your computer. That's just my opinion.

Good rig, btw. I have nothing against Intel besides their extremely bloated prices. You'll enjoy that puppy immensely.

[Dr.x]

sound card is not because I'm anal about having everything the best. I'm sort of an ametuer pro gamer, and with the 5.1 headset, I want good 360 sound to pinpoint players (fps)

[f22a4bandit]

For that K/D ratio, huh?

[wed3k]

you have to be rich to afford the greatest shit int he computer industry. they come out with new stuff every month. ive gave up and just stick with what i have.

[f22a4bandit]

So true. That's why it took me about 8 months of looking and researching before saying "fuck it" and just buying my new rig.

[Dr.x]

I would like the 360 sound. Being able to pinpoint that player can mean life or death. Yes I know , the speed of the advances are rediculious

[wed3k]

i find a good quality set of headphones are a lot better.

[lxinks]

well i dont understand why you are buying a soundcard when the mobo you have listed has

7.1+2 Channel High Definition Output
The ALC889A provides support for 7.1 sound playback, plus 2 channels of independent stereo output (multiple streaming) through the front panel stereo outputs.

which is better than the sound card also you can go w/ a abit board that has better reliability and zrma if anything ever happens i work for a computer company and the failure rates are bad for gigabyte i do vendor rma i know they send back shit that is suppose to be fixed 8/10 it isnt. hardley ever get any abit boards back and are designed for gaming. as far as the video card are you running 2 cards? if so the i would go w/ a ultra 750 they have a lifetime warranty and cost is good. I would go w/ 2 4870x2 1gb and if you did this the power consumption on these cards is high you will need a power supply of 1200 watts to properly supply these cards. also the intels are over priced you can build a amd based system that performs the same for several hundred less and i would go w/ a phenom 9550 the price point is lower than the 9500. also the ocz mem is overrated have high failure rates, crucial is the way to go ballistic. tend to allow voltage changes better for overclocking and is more stable.

[Dr.x]

id have questions on the quality of intergrated sound. Plus the tax on the cpu which woulnt arise from an off board solution.

[EJX_Michael]

id have questions on the quality of intergrated sound. Plus the tax on the cpu which woulnt arise from an off board solution.

Onboard audio is handled on its own chip on the motherboard.
There is no extra cpu tax than without an addon card.

The only difference is with an addon sound card, the audio quality will be higher and will support extra sound effects like echoing, enviromental effects and stuff.

[foamypirate]

I would go w/ 2 4870x2 1gb and if you did this the power consumption on these cards is high you will need a power supply of 1200 watts to properly supply these cards.

Based on this statement, I know to ignore everything you said.


You can run these just fine with a QUALITY 650W...

Also, the reason you never get an RMA'd Abit boards, is because no one BUYS Abit boards because they are shit.

And, no, you cannot build an AMD system that will perform equally for hundreds cheaper than an Intel system. Get your ass out of 2003 and into 2009. Intel walks AMD in every reguard, even on a price/performance ratio. I can get a $180 Intel processor that will spank any AMD processor at that price point, no questions asked. Don't even get me started on Core i7...talk about AMD bringing a knife to gun fight.

[Dr.x]

thats why i chose intel... I'm a huge AMD fan but they are dropping the ball... Price/Performance... Intel has got them beat

[f22a4bandit]

I agree, Foamy. AMD has definitely dropped the ball. They got too comfortable with their Athlon lineup.

Also, don't get anything above a QUALITY 650 watt PS. I have a 730, and that is still too much for my rig, I just like the upgradability aspect of it. The only reason I choose AMD is for the lower price. They are still good processors, but not on the scale of an i7.

IF AMD gets its act together, we may be able to see a more competitive market. Until then, Intel will rule for a while.

[Masamune]

Didn't see that you lived in canada...sorry!

I like the new setup you posted much better than the last one for a couple reasons:

The first, as everyone has pointed out, is that Intel is running AMD into the ground with their CPU's. While AMD can't compete at the same price points, they do still command a pretty decent price/performance ratio. But since you stated you're more concerned with good performance, that point is moot.

Second, the GTX 260 core 216 is like the #3 video card that Nvidia sells, and it's for good reason. I want to pick one of these up myself but my powersupply, a thermaltake 650w modular supply, only has 2 12v rails. And since the powerdraw for this card is more than my current card (a factory overclocked 8800 GT) I don't feel comfortable upgrading without getting a new powersupply with 4 12v rails.

I question the Abit board myself. At the same time, my mobo of choice is Foxconn. I very odd choice, I know, but I've never had a problem with any of their boards and I figure that going with a brand I know works is better than guessing on a new brand. Of course, not everyone has the same experience with manufacturers so your mileage may be much better than the average user.

I'm the same as you when it comes to soundcards. I HAD to buy the Soundblaster X-fi gamer edition and I have yet to be let down. The price to step up to the "Fatal1ty" card (a retarded name, IMO) was too great to justify a minor sound improvement. I've got this paired with Klipsch THX 2.1 speakers and let me say, it sounds AMAZING.

On another note, I went with 2.1 on my speakers because the location of my computer is in a room that is much to large to accomodate a 5.1 system.

Also, I've been using the Intel E8400 for close to 6 months now and let me say it is a HUGE departure from my old Athlon X2 4200+. There is simply no comparison, everything is faster and games run smoother. Good choice for CPU.

[Dr.x]

"fata1ity" or how you spell it is the lineup from creative sponsered Pro gamer Andrew (fatality) wendel

Yes , I am a huge AMD fan, bought two systems when amd had the Athlon / Athlon X2. but they havent really wowed me with anything. I hope they will remain a company tho.

Im really contemplating this Vs a Ps3 or Xbox... the console is much cheaper.. and I will be going back to school in 4 months when I get home in may.