Need help with gaming audio solution

[Krayton]

I am looking to build a new gaming system and as such I find myself, yet again, up to my eyes in part research lol.

My issue is I am looking for a good audio solution. I want to get away from the gaming market hype and find an actual audio solution, and not all this placebo crap.

I have landed on the Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X's, or possibly the 500X's haven't fully decided. I picked those because of the reviews talking about an amazing sound stage and incredible directional audio.

My question is, what do I need beyond that? I have watched several videos talking about how on board audio is usually crap and has a TON of noise interference. They also say that sound cards are simply market hype and don't really do anything more than what decent on board does.

So I looked into the DAC/Amp world, and found most people saying that a DAC actually hurts directional/surround sound quality, but is great for music...

In other words, I'm lost lol. What is the best solution for good directional sound quality while keeping the high end audio? I am on a bit of a budget and would like to keep it around/under $150-200.

P.s. the main video I got this information from this tek syndycate video https/www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1rXcJuEsy0

They have always seemed knowledgable and i tend to trust their opinion which is what started this rabbit hole of research.

 

[Xibyth]

The reality is, discrete audio cards offer next to nothing over on-board audio on any decent mid to high end motherboard. Asus and MSI often offer better audio quality than many discrete cards. It used to be before all of the 'lets just tell them its better' game started people would buy discrete cards for expanded connection options not offered on-board, like 5.1 and 7.1 audio options, and many boards had none at all. After a time manufacturers realized this was something every PC user was going to want. So since about the rise of XP and digital music formats (namely MP3), discrete manufacturers have had to find a new way to market their cards. Usually in the form of this has clearer audio, or more decibels (volume level). A good audio solution would be a good headset or speakers. Thats where you will hear a difference.