Should I buy a dedicated sound card or it's not worth it?

[PakOne]

I'm thinking of buying a Creative Sound Blaster Z for my desktop computer but I don't know if I will notice a lot of difference, I'm currently using the integrated sound card of my pre-built HP desktop computer which is an Audio IDT 92HD73E integrated, 7.1 audio channels with support for beats audio. and Logitech Z213 2.1 Stereo Speakers (with subwoofer) but I'm planning on getting some better 5.1 speakers.

I want it for gaming and listening to music.

Should I buy this sound card or I won't notice any difference?

 

[rowdymoody]

The difference won't really be worth the money spent for most average users.

If you are a producer, or are an extreme audiophile, then it would be worth it. But most people wouldn't even notice a difference in sound quality, they would only notice that they can play music louder.

 

[middlemarkal]

for computer speakcer no you see a difference

 

[BadBoyGreek]

I'm thinking of buying a Creative Sound Blaster Z for my desktop computer but I don't know if I will notice a lot of difference, I'm currently using the integrated sound card of my pre-built HP desktop computer which is an Audio IDT 92HD73E integrated, 7.1 audio channels with support for beats audio. and Logitech Z213 2.1 Stereo Speakers (with subwoofer) but I'm planning on getting some better 5.1 speakers.

Should I buy this sound card or I won't notice any difference?

Unless you have a high end motherboard with premium on board sound, discrete sound cards often perform far better. For casual listening, you might not notice as much of a difference, but the Creative card will produce better far better SNR (signal to noise ratio) and a superior built-in DAC (digital to analog converter). The SB-Z would also have better environmental effects and processing.

If you're really into a lot of music, listen to a lot of uncompressed music and things like 24-192 KHz playback are important to you, the money spent on an SB-Z would be justifiable. Even then, if I had to recommend any card, I'd see if I could get your hands on the Asus Xonar Essence STX / II instead; blows any Creative card out of the water.

 

[mmaatt747]

I'm thinking of buying a Creative Sound Blaster Z for my desktop computer but I don't know if I will notice a lot of difference, I'm currently using the integrated sound card of my pre-built HP desktop computer which is an Audio IDT 92HD73E integrated, 7.1 audio channels with support for beats audio. and Logitech Z213 2.1 Stereo Speakers (with subwoofer) but I'm planning on getting some better 5.1 speakers.

I want it for gaming and listening to music.

Should I buy this sound card or I won't notice any difference?

I bought an ASUS sound card and am happy I did. It did two things for me. It got rid of interference noises I was getting using the onboard audio controller. It also increased the volume as Rowdymoody said. I'm no audiophile but I use a pair of headphones with decent size drivers and the onboard audio did not have the power to drive them that well.

I've also heard good things about external DACs... but have never personally tried them