Onboard audio specs

[Dhriti De]

So, i am here with a very old motherboard, that is Intel dh67cl. I am using this mobo about 4 years, still no issue, god's mercy on me. But Recently I become interested in Audio. So, I am wondering how good is my onbaord audio. I am Using logitech z506 5.1 speakers. Can Onboard audio (realtek) will be able to play 24bit/96khz 5.1 surround? I am thinking of logitech z509, a dac fr my ath m50x and a xonar u7 soundcard. Still I want know the potential of the onboard sound. I am using the speakers since 3 years, no issue, but how realtek will behave in case of hires music, like 24 bit/96khz or 5.1 Surround DSD 64 2.8224Mbit/s

 

[Gingerbread]

Well it uses the Realtek-ALC892 which is quite good in its own right. Most of the people don't really notice a difference between onboard audio and dedicated audio card. I've seen people with $300 headphones saying they don't notice any difference between onboard audio and dedicated sound card so yeah tough choice. Personally I'd stick with onboard but you know you can always order a sound card try it and return it if you don't like it 😀

 

[thor220]

So, i am here with a very old motherboard, that is Intel dh67cl. I am using this mobo about 4 years, still no issue, god's mercy on me. But Recently I become interested in Audio. So, I am wondering how good is my onbaord audio. I am Using logitech z506 5.1 speakers. Can Onboard audio (realtek) will be able to play 24bit/96khz 5.1 surround? I am thinking of logitech z509, a dac fr my ath m50x and a xonar u7 soundcard. Still I want know the potential of the onboard sound. I am using the speakers since 3 years, no issue, but how realtek will behave in case of hires music, like 24 bit/96khz or 5.1 Surround DSD 64 2.8224Mbit/s

High sampling and bitrate sound and audio is able to be played on pretty much any sound device nowadays. It takes a trivial amount of hardware to produce an integrated sound device that can do that. As you can see, even your motherboard's sound supports frequencies you listed and more

http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=284

With your current setup, a sound card / DAC would be a waste of money. Onboard is more than enough for the ATH M50x. Something you should remember, upgrading your headphones yields better results than upgrading your soundcard / DAC. Anything under 60 Ohm resistance or under $200 doesn't require a sound card.

 

[kyzarvs]

Never noticed any difference from any of the mainstream cards - but a DJ friend of mine has m-audio stuff (apparently ultra-low latency drivers for great MIDI sync - I wouldn't know), his PC makes my headphones and speaker setups truly sing in a way I've not heard any other PC manage. I use NAD amps and Mission speakers / Bose QuietComfort 25 headset.

 

[thor220]

Never noticed any difference from any of the mainstream cards - but a DJ friend of mine has m-audio stuff (apparently ultra-low latency drivers for great MIDI sync - I wouldn't know), his PC makes my headphones and speaker setups truly sing in a way I've not heard any other PC manage. I use NAD amps and Mission speakers / Bose QuietComfort 25 headset.

Yeah, that's not something a regular person is going to buy just for their low end audio setup, it's more professional level and expensive. Most external audio devices have lower latencies than sound cards. The problem with sound cards is that they have a bunch of unnecessary features that introduce latency.

 

[Dhriti De]

so, how about 24 bit / 96khz bitrate sounds ? actually I'm trying to play Hi res music on My setup. In this case, I need soundcard? cause I saw there is a option in my realtek driver, '24bit / 96000 hz'. this means it wil be able to play hi res sounds? or in need a card for that ?