Sennheiser PC 360 with a sound card?

[timnswede]

Hi guys, I'm planning on getting the Sennheiser PC 360 and wanted to get a sound card with it since I would like 7.1 surround when I play shooters. As I have never gotten a sound card I have no idea what to look for. Any recommendations? Only important things are 7.1 surround and that it has an amp (at least I think an amp is important). I would like to keep it around $100, but I can go up to $200 I have to. Also feel free to recommend other headsets if there are better ones.

 

[drtoast]

What motherboard are you running? A lot come with 7.1 built in.

 

[timnswede]

All my specs are in my signature (description?), but an Asrock z68 extreme3 gen3. I didn't see anything on google about it having 7.1 built in. Also the mobo is cheaper than a lot of sound cards so I doubt it would be very good anyways.

 

[drtoast]

All my specs are in my signature (description?), but an Asrock z68 extreme3 gen3.

I derped, low blood sugar sorry I'll look it up xD

 

[drtoast]

Your onboard sound chipset is the Realtek ALC892

http/www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=284

"7.1+2 Channel HD Audio Codec with Content Protection"

Sound cards often are worse than built in audio until you aproach the $100+ bracket, can't offer you any advice beyond that, but hopefully that link will help you figure out if you need one.

 

[timnswede]

Oh thanks, I had no idea my mobo had it, although I never considered it until now haha. After a quick look on google people say it's decent for on-board audio, but a sound card would be better. Since I was already planning on getting a sound card, I will probably still get one. Any recommendations? I was looking at the creative sound blaster z, which has has 5.1 instead of 7.1. I was also looking the asus xonar essence STX, which looks great, but also very expensive. Are there any other that you would recommend?

 

[drtoast]

I don't hold much truck with sound cards. I'd much rather put the budget into some good speakers that more than compensate.

I just weighed in to make sure you had fully considered what you already had I'm afraid

Although I did recall a thread somewhere for a $3000 build, where the OP was informed the xonar was an expensive waste. But sadly I can't remember the reason cited.

 

[timnswede]

OK, thanks for the help. Nothing to do at work right now, so I can spend my time looking for a sound card