What would recommend for my next upgrade?

[SPS]

Hey guys I'm looking to upgrade my rig but I can't decide what to upgrade first.

Originally I was going to go for a soundcard as I've never had one before but I'm not sure it is worth the investment just yet.

However I was looking at these two cards:

Asus Xonar D2 7.1

Asus Xonar D2X 7.1

So what do you think? My specs are in my sig.

Cheers

Scott

 

[SPS]

Anyone?

 

[Dolph123]

They are the same. The only difference is the D2 (D2G to be correct) being pci and the D2X being pci-express. Also, the D2X requires a floppy connector.

They are probably the best all-round soundcards. You can get better 2-channel soundcards (like the STX). The HT Omegas should also be good but i don't know a lot about them.

 

[SPS]

They are the same. The only difference is the D2 (D2G to be correct) being pci and the D2X being pci-express. Also, the D2X requires a floppy connector.

They are probably the best all-round soundcards. You can get better 2-channel soundcards (like the STX). The HT Omegas should also be good but i don't know a lot about them.

Yeah that's what I thought. The STX is a bit too expensive tbh.

Is a soundcard worth getting?

 

[Dolph123]

Yes, but don't expect the difference to be massive. The sound will be a lot more detailed and rich. It's a lot more "warm" and generally more epic in both games and music. Not as flat and muffled. But don't expect a massive change. The sound card also have a lot more features like tons of different Dolby technologies. I don't even know if the onboard sound can use the surroundsound technologies in movies like Dolby DTS etc. or if it's just played in 2.0.

But anyway, only get a soundcard if you value good sound and have a good headset/speakers. If sound isn't that big of a deal for you, you could also just get the Asus Xonar DG, which is also excellent.

 

[SPS]

I have reasonable headphones, sennheiser PC360s. Hmm not sure whether to save the money

 

[SPS]

Feel like a complete noob asking this but would I have to get the Xonar D2 because my mobo doesn't have any of the small PCI-E slots?

 

[Dolph123]

You will hear a difference, but just don't expect something massive. It's a tough question really. I enjoy mine, but i expected more to be honest.

It should work in any PCI-E slot to my knowledge. I think all PCI-E cards do. Just make sure you've got a floppy connector.

 

[SPS]

You will hear a difference, but just don't expect something massive. It's a tough question really. I enjoy mine, but i expected more to be honest.

It should work in any PCI-E slot to my knowledge. I think all PCI-E cards do. Just make sure you've got a floppy connector.

I went for the D2X I figured it's something that will last a while once I have one compared to something like a GPU or CPU for example.

I'm not expecting anything special but a bit more of a definition between the lows mids and highs would be nice.

 

[dugdiamond]

even though PCI-E x1 will work in PCI-E x16 slots (backward-compatibility), installing any x1 card in a x16 slot, while your main GPU is running at x16, will be downgraded to x8.

just as installing two GPU in x16 slots, degrade to x8

(with the exception of gen3 mobos)

if your mobo has 4 slots (16, 8, 8, 16), and the GPU is in a x16 slot, placing a x1 in one of the x8 slots will not downgrade the x16 to a x8

 

[PEXON]

You would be better off getting a mediocre sound card, such as a Xonar and getting a nice little headphone amp like a Fiio E7, as I doubt a D2X could drive PC360's well.

 

[SPS]

You would be better off getting a mediocre sound card, such as a Xonar and getting a nice little headphone amp like a Fiio E7, as I doubt a D2X could drive PC360's well.

I've already ordered it now :/

Hmm at least it's something that I won't have to upgrade in the future.

It should be good for a speaker setup or some 7.1 headphones though - hopefully.

 

[PEXON]

7.1 headphones? Thanks, you made me chuckle.

 

[SPS]

7.1 headphones? Thanks, you made me chuckle.

No need to be like that really.

 

[Dolph123]

You would be better off getting a mediocre sound card, such as a Xonar and getting a nice little headphone amp like a Fiio E7, as I doubt a D2X could drive PC360's well.

The D2X amplifies pretty well. More than enough for the PC360's

 

[PEXON]

SPS, i.was just joking dude,sorry if I caused any offence.

What Ohms are they rated to? The pc360s?

 

[PEXON]

SPS, i.was just joking dude,sorry if I caused any offence.

What Ohms are they rated to? The pc360s?

 

[SPS]

SPS, i.was just joking dude,sorry if I caused any offence.

What Ohms are they rated to? The pc360s?

Ok fair enough man. And 50 I think

 

[PEXON]

Yea the D2 should drive them without any trouble. I know my Beyerdynamics need something very substsancial to drive them, hence i was just wondering what Ohm impedence they have and maybe suggesting an additional amp.

 

[cerbrus2]

7.1 headphones? Thanks, you made me chuckle.

Razor megalodon are 7.1