Help Please.. finding new sound card

[HouseHobbit]

Hi All,
I am in the need for a new sound card PCI..

I would like to ask If anyone knows a CHEAP spot to get them??
I would Like to stay under 70 - 75 dollars (US) if possible..
It doesn't have to be the top line of course..
I am replacing a 9 year old sound card..
And need a upgrade,

My computer is a 3.066 dual core P4
2 gig ram DDR 2
512 meg ASUS 8400 video card.. PCE slot
Thanks very much..
Hobbit

[Trans_23]

I would go to newegg.com and see what they have then order it or go to a brick and mortar store and buy it. I don't think you will have a problem staying under $70. I would think you could pick up an adequate card for $20.

[OBIO]

HH

If your system on the on-board sound chip, I would recommend giving it a try before shelling out the money for a new sound card. I installed a dedicated sound card into my system and saw my frame rates drop in both CFS2 and FS2004. Not by a huge amount, but enough that I was not happy with the drop. Yanked the card back out, went back to the on-board sound and haven't looked back since.

My system is far older than yours, and the on-board sound supports up to 5.1 channel surround and delivers a pretty impressive sound.

OBIO

[Willy]

I'll second Obio, but with me it was CFS 1, CFS 3 and FS9. I lost about 5fps from the Audigy 2 sound card over the onboard sound chip. That being said, I'm now running a used older than dirt Soundblaster PCI that my computer guy sold me for $5 installed last time my comp was in his shop. I really can't tell much difference on the frames with it and FS9.

[Terry]

What about the sales ploy used by card manufacturers that the sound card will take some of the load off the processor. Sounds like it adds to it!

[Roadburner440]

I have a sound card I could send you House Hobbit. I have to pull it out of my Alienware that is in storage.. At the time it was the top of the line Soundblaster card though. Maybe circa 2005-2006. I can echo the points in the posts above though that the sound cards usually makes FPS worse.. Is why on this latest rig I just use the onboard sound chip, and I do not notice a difference in the sound quality. Plus I saved money not adding in a sound card.

[Navy Chief]

I agree with the above comments about using your onboard MB sound, if possible. If the sound is good enough, and you can prevent a hit (however slight) on your FPS, then cool!

NC

[HouseHobbit]

I have a sound card I could send you House Hobbit. I have to pull it out of my Alienware that is in storage.. At the time it was the top of the line Soundblaster card though. Maybe circa 2005-2006. I can echo the points in the posts above though that the sound cards usually makes FPS worse.. Is why on this latest rig I just use the onboard sound chip, and I do not notice a difference in the sound quality. Plus I saved money not adding in a sound card.

Please do, I sent a PM..