[Glen73]

I had been asked recently about what a DAC is and what it does, I knew very little since I found one bundled with my headset I purchased recently and still learning a lot about them. This video also covers what I had thought for a long time in regards to sound cards Vs on board sound and why "built gaming machines" where money isn't an issue and you want the best of the best, they still don't put in sound cards to their top end gaming systems.

[youtube]d1rXcJuEsy0[/youtube]

[Wally]

Interesting Glen, I've often wondered if a dedicated soundcard would a) sound better and b) reduce the "load" on the CPU. I'm just using onboard audio, and it sounds like that's how I'll stay (boom boom).

[Glen73]

Interesting Glen, I've often wondered if a dedicated soundcard would a) sound better and b) reduce the "load" on the CPU. I'm just using onboard audio, and it sounds like that's how I'll stay (boom boom).

Remember, use rear jacks if using on board other wise you get all the good humming sounds from inside your Box.

If your really into your sound, then one of these will do the trick Headphone amp + DAC

[Bird]

I've been long thinking about a DAC, exactly since my last sound card.  But they're expensive. (Altho a good sound card is equally expensive!) 
But since I'd like to buy a good set of cans (AKG) at some point, it'll become a necessity.

Mind you, I still think - feel, hear - that the el-cheapo on-board sound card makes a poorer sound compared to a decent dedicated sound card.  But a DAC is a better investment, that's for sure.

[Bacchulum]

There's my advantage, it doesn't matter, I have poor quality ears!

[Glen73]

There's my advantage, it doesn't matter, I have poor quality ears!

I had a good chuckle to that!

[shevermin]

There was a lot of noise in that video but not alot of real info... Yes the headphone jack at the front of your PC is crap  derrr...