Will sound via USB work for fast-paced gaming (FPS)?

[Henrik Jensen DK]

Is a USB-DAC or USB-audio interface recommendable for fast games such as FPS'es?
I think there is some latency involved with USB, isn't there?
Is PCI or PCIe preferable for that reason?

Specifically I'm looking at these two USB-DACs:
http://www.audioquest.com/usb_digital_analog_converter/dragonfly-dac
http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/products/dacmagic-plus-digital-to-analogue-converter

Thanks!

 

[Nathan Willis]

You will not notice anything with the USB. USB is fast enough to keep up with games.
If you have the option PCIE would be nice.

 

[someguynamedmatt]

Be careful when you get into outboard DACs - there is no notable latency associated with USB, but depending on what you're listening with, you might just need more than a DAC/Pre-amp. I personally have a rather expensive (around here, at least) pair of headphones running on a $300 Maverick D1-Plus DAC/Amplifier, and it works wonderfully for my situation, but these things aren't one-size-fits-all.

If you're using a laptop, is there a reason you're looking to use a USB audio chip? If you're on a desktop, I'd recommend going with a PCIe card. If you're really interested in an outboard DAC setup, I can help recommend something that will fit what you're doing, but unless you have a high-end speaker or headphone setup, the money would really be going to waste.

 

[chicken4thewin]

Shouldn't be any difference, but if you are an audiophile you should go with PCI-E

 

[Henrik Jensen DK]

Thanks for the replies.

Well, I'm using a now 12 year old M-Audio Delta 44 PCI sound card right now:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Delta44.html

(I used to compose music on my pc, that's why I have this audio interface)

The Delta 44 has had rock solid drivers and trouble-free performance during all these years, so I'm happy with it.
But of course I can't expect the card to last forever, that's why I'm asking.

Btw. the audio is run through a Behringer HA 4700 headphone amp where I have my Sennheiser HD 600 connected to. The headphone amp is not high end at all, but it's not that bad either.

I'm getting a new pc soon and I've made sure the motherboard has PCI slots, so I can continue using the Delta 44.
I'm just thinking, you know, it's been 12 years, perhaps the audio development has meant that there are better offers out there today.

I've got a somewhat expensive Cambridge Audio 840A V2 + 840C + Vincent mono poweramps/Dynaudio Excite X32-setup in my living room, so I am used to HIFI.

Any suggestions are much welcome.