Which sound card is better ?

[Zatlon]

I got offered two choices for about the same price (both used), either Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Fatal1ty Pro Sound (http://a.co/d/hStgxpP), or this one Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series (http://a.co/d/bOUFwln)

Which one is better, knowing I will be matching it with a budget headset (HyperX Cloud Core) ?
Or shall I save my money and stick with the on-board audio ?

 

[Darkbreeze]

That depends on your motherboard and what sound it comes with.

 

[Zatlon]

That depends on your motherboard and what sound it comes with.

Currently am using an Asus P8Z77 Deluxe, but am going to upgrade soon, hopefully to something with the same class of motherboards, (not really over-kill, nor some dirt cheap one).

 

[Darkbreeze]

Honestly, for that headset, I'd stick to the onboard sound. If you were using high end gear it might be different, but I don't seriously see you seeing a lot of difference with entry level headphones.

If you did though, I wouldn't go all out. I'd go with a much newer than your board, but also entry level soundcard. Don't spend too much because if you are going to upgrade the platform, practically any modern motherboard is going to have a sound codec that puts what is on your current board to shame.

 

[Zatlon]

Honestly, for that headset, I'd stick to the onboard sound. If you were using high end gear it might be different, but I don't seriously see you seeing a lot of difference with entry level headphones.

If you did though, I wouldn't go all out. I'd go with a much newer than your board, but also entry level soundcard. Don't spend too much because if you are going to upgrade the platform, practically any modern motherboard is going to have a sound codec that puts what is on your current board to shame.

So you would suggest getting rid of that idea ?

 

[Darkbreeze]

WHICH idea? Buying an aftermarket sound card? I guess that really depends on what you are going to be doing. If it's just for watching movies, listening to music or gaming, and you WILL be upgrading the whole platform soon to a newer platform, then yes, I'd just wait and see if the integrated sound suits your needs which it likely will.

If you are planning to stay with the same platform and only get a different board for the same system you currently have, then you might want to go with an aftermarket sound card that is more capable than what came with your motherboard BUT I would not buy a high end soundcard for use with an entry level set of headphones. It's a waste of money. It's like putting high octane pure alcohol fuel in a Ford Pinto. It just doesn't make sense.