Soundcard or not?

[JB Rekit]

This is the MB I have:
MB GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R 775 P35 RT

It is an office computer and I just plugged in a set of speakers to get sound for whenever I might need to listen to something (product CD for business etc)

The problem is that it is so quiet I have to keep my head right next to the speaker to hear it.

Since I'm not looking for movie/CD quality sound, just something loud enough to be practical, what should I go for? Speakers with a built in amp or a sound card?

 

[veedubfreak]

Are they powered speakers? I have never bothered with aftermarket sound cards as onboard these days is just fine for general gaming.

 

[ricanflow]

Speakers always need a source of amplification to sound good.

And a soundcard will help too, onboard sound is just pitiful and has very high distortion and low sound quality. Even a very basic card will be much better.

 

[JB Rekit]

Are they powered speakers? I have never bothered with aftermarket sound cards as onboard these days is just fine for general gaming.

They ones I have on it right now aren't. I have some powered ones at the house, so I will try those 1st and then decide if I need a soundcard or not.

It sounds like powered speakers are going to be a must either way.

 

[veedubfreak]

Non powered speakers really are quite craptacular. Thats the problem.

 

[gurusan]

wait, your motherboard is driving the speakers?

you need an amp dude.

 

[Crysalis]

there is no excuse for onboard sound.

Soundcard.

 

[gurusan]

a sound card won't be needed. it's just a business computer. Just get your speakers connected to an amplifier or buy some cheap stereo powered computer speakers.

 

[veedubfreak]

there is no excuse for onboard sound.

Soundcard.

There are lots of excuses. Onboard sound is perfectly fine for 99% of the population. When the sound is being played through tiny little speakers with almost no quality, a sound card isnt going to make much difference. There are much better things to spend money on than a 200 dollar sound and 500 dollar speakers.

Me, i'd rather put my money into video cards for better frame rates as i almost always have the sound just barely audible anyway.

 

[ricanflow]

There are lots of excuses. Onboard sound is perfectly fine for 99% of the population. When the sound is being played through tiny little speakers with almost no quality, a sound card isnt going to make much difference. There are much better things to spend money on than a 200 dollar sound and 500 dollar speakers.

Me, i'd rather put my money into video cards for better frame rates as i almost always have the sound just barely audible anyway.

Nobody said anything about a $200 sound card.

People blow $400 on video cards and about the same on wc but wont spend a few bucks on a sound card. Even a basic card is 10 times better than onboard, it really is that bad.

A good soundcard plus good headphones or speakers can make the game that much more enjoyable. Even a basic $25 card puts onboard to shame.