rcgldr said:The goal is to reproduce sounds with frequencies up to about 20khz. A higher sampling rate provides more sample points per unit time, allowing a more precise approximation of the original analog waveform. 192khz is almost 10x the max frequency rate, versus 96khz being only 5x the frequency rate, allowing for a simpler digital to analog conversion. Note that cd-rom's get by with a 44.1 khz sample rate, barely more than double the max frequency rate, requiring a complex digital to analog "filter" to produce accurate sound.
AlephZero said:The effect on the sound of games will be negligible. What you hear will depend mostly on the quality of your speakers or headphones. The audio in most computer games is processed so it "sounds loud" when played through poor quality speakers, not so it is an accurate reproduction of anything.
The main benefit of high sample rates like 192kHz is if want to use your computer to record high quality sounds. The electrical noise energy generated by the microphones, amplifiers, etc will be spread over the whole frequency range up to 192KHz when the analog signal is converted to digital. All the noise energy between 20KHz and 192 Khz can then be filtered out digitally, which reduces the audible noise level by a factor of about 10 times.
The amount of computing power to process audio is very small compared with video, so I wouldn't worry about high sample rates affecting the overall performance of your PC for gaming.
The sounds from most games are use a fixed sample rate or some sort of algorithm to generate sounds, so the sound cards maximum sound rate would not be utilized by a game.FishmanGeertz said:How does the sound in PC games benefit from high sample rates?
The Creative cards are certainly excelllent for gaming, because they are stuffed with sound processing gizmos that the game producers know how to access. That's why you now feel you are "inside the game".FishmanGeertz said:I have a creative x-fi fatality titanium pro PCI express sound card. I upgraded from my onboard audio just yesterday.
A sound card is a hardware component that allows a computer to produce sound. It is responsible for converting digital data into analog signals that can be played through speakers or headphones.
A sound card is necessary if you want to listen to audio on your computer, such as music, videos, or games. It also allows for better sound quality and more advanced audio features.
To install a sound card, you will need to open up your computer and insert the card into an available slot on your motherboard. You may also need to install drivers and configure settings in your computer's operating system.
There are two main types of sound cards: integrated and dedicated. Integrated sound cards are built into the motherboard and are suitable for basic audio needs. Dedicated sound cards are separate components that offer better sound quality and more features.
When choosing a sound card, consider the type of computer you have, your audio needs, and your budget. Make sure the sound card is compatible with your computer and has the features you need, such as surround sound or audio recording capabilities.