Is a good sound card necessary for HTPC?

[ffkly]

If I want to connect HTPC to AV receiver, should I choose something like X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Champion Series or just one built on mother board? HTPC will be mainly used for movies and music.

And which HTPC case is compatible with that sound card with the price around 150, I don't feel it will fit in by just looking at the image of those cases.

[flyz]

Onboard is fine if you're using digital out to your receiver.

[ShadowVlican]

some will argue that it's not (jitter, etc)... but 99% of the population can't hear it anyways (myself included)

[Silver Bullet]

If you'll be using an analog connection then it matters more .. if you'll be using optical or HDMI is matter much less.

I upgraded my sound card from onboard to an Asus DX and there was quiet a noticeable difference, but for HTPC using HDMI I doubt you'll notice.

[Jaytee]

Onboard is fine if you're using digital out to your receiver.

+1

I use the on board optical toslink or digital coax in my HTPC and its all you need. I had a X-Fi originally but I switched to the on board digital audio out because it sounded better. Toslink and digital coax sounds the same to me (as expected) but sometimes in my HTPC I would get stuttering sounds when using Toslink (not sure if that is jitter) so I switched to coax and its gone.

BUT if you care about DTS MA HD or Dolby True HD audio you will want a sound card like the Asus Xonar HDAV1.3. You input your HDMI video to it and it outputs HDMI Video and HD audio. Unfortunately, they are like $220 and totally not worth it. You might as well just buy a stand alone blu ray player for that price.

[CameraBill]

A soundcard might have a more stable clock. The A/V synchronization is usually paired to the clock in the soundcard. The computer will behave more predictably the more stable the clock is. I'm not guaranteeing the video will stutter but I know much stuttering is do to the timing of the A/V chain.

For just music there will be no benefit.

[Andrewm]

Don't get an X Fi. Awful for HTPC.

Stick with onboard and go optical out.

HTPC guide:

www.tuxgonewild.blogspot.com