Tiranasta on 27/3/2007 at 13:30
I am currently using Realtek AC97 integrated audio. I cannot enable either of the EAX features in TDS and even audio hardware mixing often sounds like crap on the AC97. What I want to know is just how much difference would upgrading to a sound card that properly utilises these features (such as the X-Fi or the Audigy 2) make?
New Horizon on 27/3/2007 at 14:10
Quote Posted by Tiranasta
I am currently using Realtek AC97 integrated audio. I cannot enable either of the EAX features in TDS and even audio hardware mixing often sounds like crap on the AC97. What I want to know is just how much difference would upgrading to a sound card that properly utilises these features (such as the X-Fi or the Audigy 2) make?
Well, it just means you would be able to enable those effects and it wouldn't sound like crap anymore. :) It's pretty difficult to describe how much of a difference it would make. I guess it would be the difference between AM radio and a CD player.
damdifyno on 27/3/2007 at 15:31
I miss my old sound card. It was on my old puter. When I played Thief, if an AI was behind me, I could hear footsteps in my rear speakers. One time, I was facing a fire, and the crackling sound came out of the front speakers. When I turned my back to the fire, the crackling suddenly was in my rear speakers instead. And the sound was very clear. Thunder sounded like real thunder in games. Explsions sounded real. I dunt know if these are imprtant to you, but if they are, it would be worth it to get a decent card. Now I am using intergrated audio like you. The sound is a 3 or 4, and the sound from a good sound card is like a 10. I think that board makers dont put much into the audio, b/c that's not their main focus. I guess.
[NAUC]Chief on 27/3/2007 at 17:18
Id say a good quality card will make all the difference, but whether you can detect the difference is another matter.
A recent example I can give is my laptops onboard sound, the sound through the speakers at high volumes becomes distorted (I had always blamed my speakers) however if I set my audigy2ZS card to go through the internal speakers, at high volumes the sound is fine.
But really the sound card won't make much difference if the speakers you use are bad.
If you were to get a card I personally would go for the xi-fi since if ever you got vista at least they're working on Thief: DS to have vista EAX through OpenAL via their Alchemy project.
imperialreign on 27/3/2007 at 21:52
Although Creative has had quite a share of problems now and then with the X-Fi's, I still recommend their soundcards. Creative have managed to keep themselves so far ahead of the audio market that they're fairly unmatched.
Either way, a really good soundcard will still be hampered by poor quality speakers, so keep this in mind, too.
But, as far as sound quality goes . . . everything sounds different to everyone, no doubt about that . . . but, on-board audio (even HD integrated, i.e. RealTek HD) is still inherently flawed for gaming purposes. You'll hear better quality out of even low-end PCI audio cards as compared to on-board, as an actual card won't pick up static noise from the mobo and other components. Plus, actually having an audio card reduces a lot of the audio processing off the CPU itself, which will translates into better framerates and etc for gaming.
Although, whatever choice is up to you, and considering that audio cards are realtively cheap compared to video cards, I personally recommend the X-Fi Xtreme Gamer Fatality Pro card. It's a little expensive at $150, but on the otherhand you probably won't need to upgrade for quite a few years.
And if you do throw in a card, remember to turn off the on-board audio in your system BIOS!
damdifyno on 28/3/2007 at 12:26
Quote Posted by imperialreign
. . . everything sounds different to everyone, no doubt about that . . .
That may be trueto a certain small extent, but for the most part, we all know clear, crisp, excellent sound when we hear it, if the speaker is of good quality. IOW, if a crappy sound is played, and then an excellent sound is, I thhink we could all tell the difference, coundn't we?
sparhawk on 28/3/2007 at 13:54
Quote Posted by Tiranasta
I am currently using Realtek AC97 integrated audio. I cannot enable either of the EAX features in TDS and even audio hardware mixing often sounds like crap on the AC97. What I want to know is just how much difference would upgrading to a sound card that properly utilises these features (such as the X-Fi or the Audigy 2) make?
I also used to play with this soundcard and I was always satisfied with it. However I switched to an Audigy ZS2 and I was quite impressed when I first played Thief again with it. I could actually hear the AI walking from left to right and back without even looking. So, while this is not strictly neccessary, as I played without that feature since years before, I wouldn't like to miss it now. Also in other games it's quite nice, that you can actually hear where a sound is coming from. Overall I think it's well worth the investment. :)
DJ Riff on 28/3/2007 at 16:58
Quote:
When I played Thief, if an AI was behind me, I could hear footsteps in my rear speakers. One time, I was facing a fire, and the crackling sound came out of the front speakers. When I turned my back to the fire, the crackling suddenly was in my rear speakers instead.
Have the same feature just with headphones in Thief-1,2. A3D soundcard is the best for them ;). Although I can't turn on any EAX options in TDS with my Vortex2 card, the sound with "Hardware mixing" is much better than with built-in AC97. I can spy the guard's patrol routes just sitting behind the door and hear if he's closing to me or going away. Of course, a sound card with full EAX support is preferable for Thief-3. You need also 5.1 sound system to have real 3D sound. But you can also buy good headphones and have excellent stereo quality.
Quote:
And if you do throw in a card, remember to turn off the on-board audio in your system BIOS!
Is it so necessary? I have both AC97 and Vortex2 onboard. They work fine together, I can switch between them in Windows Control Panel. I think of buying a third card for Thief3 ;)
Jesse on 28/3/2007 at 18:07
how the heck do you find out what model sound card you have? Its been so long since I put it in i've forgotten...
damdifyno on 28/3/2007 at 18:28
Quote Posted by DJ Riff
Is it so necessary? I have both AC97 and Vortex2 onboard. They work fine together, I can switch between them in Windows Control Panel. I think of buying a third card for Thief3 ;)
Hmmm.... question: I am considering putting in a sound card. why would you want to switch between them? I guess there are times when you would prefer the AC97 over the other, but what are they? Also, do you have XP? I do. Where do you switch in control panel? (I am still new to XP). Are you referring to the Device Manager?
