zachig
Rated XXX
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 Posted: Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:21:27 Post Subject: |
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UPDATE:
I've installed today the Audigy 2 I had lying around instead of my onboard Realtek ALC889A Sound Card.
Here are my impressions:
PROS:
- Games definitely sound better, not MUCH better, but better than the onboard one.
- I can go higher with the volume than I could with the onboard.
CONS:
- Strangely, there was a small hiss/white noise from the Speaker on High Volume, which I didn't/don't have with onboard one.
- For some reason, The plugged-in Microphone sounds HORRIBLE with the Audigy 2 card and nothing I did improved it, so I can barely make Skype calls with this setup...
- Since the card is an old PCI, I had to install it in my PCI Slot, located exactly below my Video Card. So the Audigy 2 is blocking all the airflow to my Video Card, resulting in IDLE temps higher in 2C (65C instead of 63C) and LOAD temps higher in 9C (!!!) (89C instead of 81C) than I had with the onboard.
So...unfortunately, even though the Audigy 2 sounds a bit better, mainly in games, I've decided to stick with my Realtek ALC889A Azalia onboard Sound Card.
I really think that onboard sound cards really improved over the years and they're not what a piece of #$%^ they used to be. 
I think I'll keep the Audigy as a spare card or sell it for a few bucks.
Thanks guys for all your help and advice... 
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Viewsonic 22" VX2235WM LCD |
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