Case front audio I/O ports

[FalvinP]

I'm doing initial research on my first build, which will probably take place in about six months.

I've searched the forums on this subject and except for the thread referenced below, I couldn't find much to answer my specific questions.

I like the convenience of having audio I/O ports on the front of the case. However, I've read that this usually means that the front ports are connected to the motherboard's onboard sound. I'm not a gamer. I usually lisiten to mp3s, play dvds, and occasionally download news clips etc. I currently have a Cambridge Soundworks DTT2500 Digital 5.1 speaker system with an external Dolby digital processor that is about 7 years old. I've always considered this speaker system to be a bit underpowered. I also like to play with a sound editor (Audacity) from time to time. Having to go to the back of the computer to plug in the headset is really a pain due to being blocked by a desk lamp and other stuff.

I have two questions:

1. Is the on board sound quality acceptable for my use? I know that this is a very subjective question. I've read that some of the newer boards have put the Creative Audigy on them. The newer boards each utilized PCIX. I'm not sure I'm going to go with PCIX for this build, but will probably go with Intel's socket 775 (no offense to AMD users).

2. Are there sound cards available that have the headers to hook up the front audio I/O ports? I read that this is pretty rare, especially with Creative products. However, this exact question was discussed in a thread from 2004. Here's the link to that thread:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...se+audio+ports

I couldn't identify which card was discussed in that thread. The Newegg link had changed over time. As I write this I received an email indicating that the card involved was the Creative Audigy 2 ZS. I'll probably use onboard sound at first and then if I find the quality unacceptable, I'll get a sound card. I just wanted to know if there are soundcards that can utilize the front ports.

Thank you for your advice.

[flanzig1]

The Audigy 2 ZS has an option for getting a head unit that fits a 5.25 drive bay. And the X-Fi series of sound cards have the drive bay head units. But you start getting into the $100 to $300 range.

[Mesaeus]

The AC '97 onboard sound usually is fairly bad to average at best. If you're not used to a better card and you don't really care about sound, it will suffice. However if you do want a sound card, you would be mad to get an Audigy instead of an X-FI one. Over the years I've bought a SB (soundblaster) Pro, SB AWE64, SB Live, then an Audigy 2 ZS and finally the cheapest X-FI card. And only the last one truly was worth it. The others gave me a more incremental increase of sound quality, but the X-FI is heaps better than even the Audigy 2 ZS. Only disadvantage so far is that after listening to the crystal clear, beautiful rendition of my favorite mp3's and games, I literally cringe from the quality of onboard sound. I just cannot stand it anymore.

[FalvinP]

Thanks for the replies.

The thrust of my question was whether there were any soundcards that would hook up directly to the audio I/O ports on the front of the case. I know that some soundcards have head units (sometimes an option?) that go in a 5 1/4 slot, but does anyone know of a card that wll utilize the front ports of the case?

The reason I'm asking, is if there are no sound cards that can utilize the case's front I/O ports, then I'll probably get a case that just has USB and Firewire on the front. Why pay for something if it will never be used?

As far as the onboard sound is concerned, I've read that there is a new thing coming, if not already here. It's called High Definition Audio. This might improve the sound quality a bit, until I find a card that will use the front I?O ports.

Again, thanks for your help. I just joined this site a couple of days ago. I have a lot to learn.

[sgtspector]

I am not sure but i believe most USB headsets will mute the speakers when you connect them, so all you need is a front USB port.