Asus Xonar Essence STX or CPU cooling

[Womz]

Hi guys. This is my first time posting.
I want to buy something for my pc and I have to decide between a sound card or a cooler. It basically lies between the Xonar STX and thermaltake Water 2.0 Extreme "water cooler". Before people start to bite my head off, I can't get water cooling components in South Africa without selling my organs. I can get the H100 also, but the Thermaltake seems to outperform the H100 due to the larger radiator measuring 37mm compared to 25mm.

I have a Rotel RA-960BX stereo amplifier hooked up to Wharfedale Diamond 7.1 speakers. It's a pretty good setup with a very powerful amp and amazing sound quality; was quite expensive as well. It's all hooked up through RCA, with a converter at the moment. I can already hear a difference between 320kbps mp3 files and flac files. I take my music seriously. I also have custom sound in my car LOL. Will a Xonar STX give me an audible difference between the onboard sound and the card. I am also going to buy a Corsair Vengeance 1300 headset. I know it's not really audiophile cans, but I do game a lot.

I read a review on the Vengeance 1300 on Hardware Canucks and they mentioned that you have to have a good sound card to get the best out of the headset and that there was a definite audible difference between the onboard sound and the sound card when using the headset. They were using a Xonar Xense.

I will be getting a cooler even if I purchase the sound card now and vice versa, just keep that in mind. I just don't want to fork out that much money on a sound card if I'm not going to notice a darn thing.

Thanks in advance for the replies guys

 

[PEXON]

DO NOT BUY GAMING HEADPHONES!!!! Get some low end Sennhieser headphones (stereo) and a desk mic!!!

 

[jamesriley94]

Get the STX...


And never buy anything made by thermaltacky

 

[Womz]

Keep in mind that the Cooler from Thermaltake is a rebranded Asetek cooler and not manufactured by Thermaltake, the H100 is also a Asetek unit, thus the Thermaltake is superior in this case. I will otherwise never buy something from them, this is the only exception. The only sennheisers I can get in the same price range are the HD201 and HD419.

 

[PEXON]

Nothing wrong with 201's dude!

 

[jamesriley94]

I'd probably be looking into the Coolermaster Eisberg instead of those nowadays. Similar performance as the H100, and customisable too!

Still though...

STX!!

 

[Womz]

Wow I just took a look at the Cooler Master Eisberg and it looks absolutely awesome! it may just be what I am looking for regarding my cooling needs. I see it is only scheduled for a April release in 2013, but that would give me enough time to save up some cash after a STX purchase. Do you think it will be sold by Amazon.com? I have to order it from Amazon if for some reason it does not make it to South African shops. Do you think the price would be similar to the water coolers that I mentioned? Guru3D estimates it at 140EUR.

Back to the sound card again. I see you have a STX. Did it make a difference compared to the onboard sound and what kind of audio equipment are you using?

Edit: Am I confused about the released date for the Eisberg? Was it 2012 or 2013? No shops in SA have it though

 

[Ralm]

I do Own a Asus Xonar Essence STX and since you are an audiophile as me how can you ask that question: "Did it make a difference compared to the onboard sound"? Seriously? XD

Now lets go to the facts, the xonar have a Noise Ratio about 24Db more then a onboard soundcard at least. Only on that you see a massive, I mean MASSIVE, difference.

Im sure if you crank up the sound in your system, you will ear noise. Try take the cable off and do the same, no noise right?? It means that your onboard sound produces noise without even reproducing any sound, when the xonar STX doesnt.

Well, with a xonar, the noise is SO LOW, its insane. And about specs you will get as good as you can get now a days for a desktop user on the xonar.

Just think about it in this way: With a Xonar, what matters is how good of a quality the file has, because the soundcard isnt a problem or bottleneck anymore.

 

[reeper250]

Please please please get the soundcard. It will most likely last you far longer then any CPU cooler and you will be far happier with the soundcard. After my first soundcard (ASUS Xonar DG) I just can't use onboard sound anymore.