Does a Sound Card Improve Performance with a USB Headset?

[izytang]

Hey everyone,
My PC originally came without a soundcard (had integrated sound) and awhile back I got a USB Headset because they have a built-in sound card in them, which would've solved my sound card problem. But, now I recently purchased a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 because someone told me that it would do all the sound processing and send it to the USB headset, and boost overall PC performance.

But now I am wondering: Doesn't the Headset already do this with it's built-in sound card? Is my sound card just sitting there? Or was this guy right: Does it actually "help" the USB headset soundcard out with some of the data processing and boost PC peformance (say for gaming)? I'd like to know some information about the two. Thanks

(And for those curious, I'm using a Logitech USB Headset)

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Hey everyone,
My PC originally came without a soundcard (had integrated sound) and awhile back I got a USB Headset because they have a built-in sound card in them, which would've solved my sound card problem. But, now I recently purchased a Sound Blaster Live 5.1 because someone told me that it would do all the sound processing and send it to the USB headset, and boost overall PC performance.

But now I am wondering: Doesn't the Headset already do this with it's built-in sound card? Is my sound card just sitting there? Or was this guy right: Does it actually "help" the USB headset soundcard out with some of the data processing and boost PC peformance (say for gaming)? I'd like to know some information about the two. Thanks

(And for those curious, I'm using a Logitech USB Headset)

This is very interesting. My first thought is that the headset bypasses the onboard and sb card. I've never used a usb headset before though. It's only $40 so I highy doubt its as quality as the sb 5.1 card. The headset manual might tell you if it requires a soundcard or not. I'd just call or email them directly.