Gigabyte Z170X Gaming 7 onboard audio vs. Xonar DX

[youssef 2010]

I have decided to buy the Gigabyte Z170X Gaming 7 motherboard so I want to know if I should keep using the Xonar DX or switch to the onboard audio.

I know the general rule is that onboard sound card are inferior to dedicated solutions but I want to know if that board is an exception

Asus Xonar DX: https://www.asus.com/Sound-Cards/Xonar_DX/

Gigabyte Z170X Gaming 7: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=5481#ov

 

[Lutfij]

1| Can you please specify your full system's specs inclusive of your OS? The reasoning behind listing them outside of your sig space is due to the fact that someone else will be asking the same question so any and/or all suggestions will be irrelevant as specs in a sig space tend to change more than often.

2| If you're on Windows 10, you might want to know that Realtek have been hard hit by the latest OS by Microsoft since the driver and OS refuse to communicate with each other. Creative have had some issues with needing to reboot the system due to a driver crash. You could give it a try, all it would require from you is remove the drivers and device from system and try the onboard audio. Please update your BIOS to the latest revision if you're not already.

3| You may also want to add on your audio equipment.

IMHO, the Xonar would be a good idea but then again audio perception is as subjective as design and will vary from people to people, listener to listener.