Sound Card questions

[tfitch11]

I am looking to get a sound card. I currently use my on-board sound from my MSI motherboard (see below in signature). I have found 2 cards that I woul dlike to potentially use. I understand that these are budget cards, but unsure on spending more than $50 on a soundcard right now. I kind of just want to get my feet wet, so to speak. With that said, I have a couple contenders:

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-HEADPHONE-AMP-SOUND-CARD/dp/B002BZL42K/ref=sr_1_33?s=pc&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1471376238&sr=1-33&keywords=sound+card&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

and

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EO6X4XG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Which one will give me a better sound if I am looking for crisp, non distorted highs plus depth?

Also, a couple other questions on the topic of sound cards. The front panel on my tower, if I were to install a sound card- would the mic and output jack be procesed through the sound card or the onboard sound? My goal is to have them working from the sound card; anything special I would need to do for this?
Another question, my headset uses a USB connection. Same question; would this go through the soundcard or the onboard sound?

I know these are noob questions but I wouldnt be asking if I didn't need some guidance. Thanks!

 

[Quixit]

I am looking to get a sound card. I currently use my on-board sound from my MSI motherboard (see below in signature). I have found 2 cards that I woul dlike to potentially use. I understand that these are budget cards, but unsure on spending more than $50 on a soundcard right now. I kind of just want to get my feet wet, so to speak. With that said, I have a couple contenders:

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-HEADPHONE-AMP-SOUND-CARD/dp/B002BZL42K/ref=sr_1_33?s=pc&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1471376238&sr=1-33&keywords=sound+card&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

and

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EO6X4XG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Which one will give me a better sound if I am looking for crisp, non distorted highs plus depth?

Also, a couple other questions on the topic of sound cards. The front panel on my tower, if I were to install a sound card- would the mic and output jack be procesed through the sound card or the onboard sound? My goal is to have them working from the sound card; anything special I would need to do for this?
Another question, my headset uses a USB connection. Same question; would this go through the soundcard or the onboard sound?

I know these are noob questions but I wouldnt be asking if I didn't need some guidance. Thanks!

You're not going to find a sound card better than the Realtek 1150 codec on the motherboard you listed for $50 or less. And if your headset uses USB, it's not using your sound system at all. USB headsets include a USB sound card which handles all input and output for your headset.

USB->Integrated Sound->Headset. Unless you're using an analog headset you're not using the sound card/integrated sound at all.

 

[SBMfromLA]

I am looking to get a sound card. I currently use my on-board sound from my MSI motherboard (see below in signature). I have found 2 cards that I woul dlike to potentially use. I understand that these are budget cards, but unsure on spending more than $50 on a soundcard right now. I kind of just want to get my feet wet, so to speak. With that said, I have a couple contenders:

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-HEADPHONE-AMP-SOUND-CARD/dp/B002BZL42K/ref=sr_1_33?s=pc&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1471376238&sr=1-33&keywords=sound+card&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

and

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EO6X4XG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Which one will give me a better sound if I am looking for crisp, non distorted highs plus depth?

Also, a couple other questions on the topic of sound cards. The front panel on my tower, if I were to install a sound card- would the mic and output jack be procesed through the sound card or the onboard sound? My goal is to have them working from the sound card; anything special I would need to do for this?
Another question, my headset uses a USB connection. Same question; would this go through the soundcard or the onboard sound?

I know these are noob questions but I wouldnt be asking if I didn't need some guidance. Thanks!

You're not going to find a sound card better than the Realtek 1150 codec on the motherboard you listed for $50 or less. And if your headset uses USB, it's not using your sound system at all. USB headsets include a USB sound card which handles all input and output for your headset.

USB->Integrated Sound->Headset. Unless you're using an analog headset you're not using the sound card/integrated sound at all.

This user is correct... USB Headsets DO NOT use your sound card or integrated sound at all...

To answer your other question... If you installed a Sound Sound.. the Mic and Headphones Jack that's on your case will not work. You would have to plug in your mic into the back of the sound card you just installed. If you are using a USB headset... you'll be using that, instead.


One last thing... Using a Sound Card with Windows 10 is a total pain in the butt because of the O/S insistence on installing it's own generic driver... overwriting my own driver. It does this every once in a while. In fact, after I recently installed the Anniversary Update for Windows 10.. it did it again... messing up my sound I had to perform another reinstall of my sound driver...

 

[tfitch11]

I am looking to get a sound card. I currently use my on-board sound from my MSI motherboard (see below in signature). I have found 2 cards that I woul dlike to potentially use. I understand that these are budget cards, but unsure on spending more than $50 on a soundcard right now. I kind of just want to get my feet wet, so to speak. With that said, I have a couple contenders:

https://www.amazon.com/ASUS-HEADPHONE-AMP-SOUND-CARD/dp/B002BZL42K/ref=sr_1_33?s=pc&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1471376238&sr=1-33&keywords=sound+card&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011

and

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EO6X4XG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Which one will give me a better sound if I am looking for crisp, non distorted highs plus depth?

Also, a couple other questions on the topic of sound cards. The front panel on my tower, if I were to install a sound card- would the mic and output jack be procesed through the sound card or the onboard sound? My goal is to have them working from the sound card; anything special I would need to do for this?
Another question, my headset uses a USB connection. Same question; would this go through the soundcard or the onboard sound?

I know these are noob questions but I wouldnt be asking if I didn't need some guidance. Thanks!

You're not going to find a sound card better than the Realtek 1150 codec on the motherboard you listed for $50 or less. And if your headset uses USB, it's not using your sound system at all. USB headsets include a USB sound card which handles all input and output for your headset.

USB->Integrated Sound->Headset. Unless you're using an analog headset you're not using the sound card/integrated sound at all.

Hey thanks so much for the prompt response! Good thing I didn't waste $30 for no cause! So then my last question is this; if ever there comes a time when I should upgrade my sound card, for a gaming headset to run off the sound card and not the onboard sound (say via USB), how would one best accomplish that?

 

[10tacle]

I will concur on the $50 and under route. Those sound cards are no better than today's latest on board sound which have come a long way in quality and performance. You need to jump into the $100+ category to notice any difference. I speak from experience on that.

As for your other question, you would need to buy a gaming headset that has a wired connection (3.5mm plug) to plug into your future sound card. Otherwise a wireless USB headset will not work from your sound card. Like was said it has it's own driver support. That's why they are more expensive than wired headphones.

I use my USB wireless Sonly PlayStation Gold gaming headset sometimes on my gaming PC with a Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium sound card and that's the way it works.