Realtek ALC892 vs. Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music

[Jethead]

Hi!

I own a Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic sound card (it's quite old, released in 2005, I bought it in 2010). I am about to purchase Asus Z87-A (C2) motherboard which has onboard Realtek ALC892 sound card.

Which one will give better sound quality? Should I install my SB X-Fi XM or just use the onboard sound card?

Thank you!
Jethead

 

[inzone]

A sound card that old will still give good sound but the new onboard RealTek chip will give HD sound so what you can do is try it out and if you don't like it install the sound card.

 

[Jethead]

Sorry to bump, but really? There's nobody here who would know whether SB X-Fi Xtreme Music is an upgrade from Asus Z87-A onboard sound or a downgrade?

Let me put it another way, do you think installing SB X-Fi Xtreme Music on Asus Z87-A mobo is worth the additional power it will consume? (thus raising my electricity costs and lowering PSU lifetime)

 

[inzone]

The RealTek chip is HD sound at 7.1 channels. In a comparison of the specs. between the two it would appear that the RealTek chip is the better way to go.

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

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102023

 

[Jethead]

Thank you very much!