Audio vs. Computer Upgrades

[Hyydrah]

As we all know, computer components phase out quickly, and only takes a few years for even the most powerful components today to become almost obsolete

 

On the other hand, audio components act very differently. Not only do they last much longer on average, our hearing actually becomes worse in time, not better, giving all the more reason to invest in a better audio setup than a gaming setup

 

Of course, it really depends on your situation. If you're upgrading from a severely dated system, an upgrade would make much more sense. But is a 7950 upgrade really sensible on such a budget, or are you better off getting a very nice pair of headphones for essentially the same price? (These HD 600s compared to the cheapest 7950 at Newegg.ca)

[CoolBeans]

If you are not pleased with performance get a PC upgrade if you are not pleased with the audio get a audio upgrade.

[Hyydrah]

If you are not pleased with performance get a PC upgrade if you are not pleased with the audio get a audio upgrade.

The thing is that most people don't seem to realize how much better their audio setup could be

[MrSuperb]

The problem with audio and also photography for that matter, that I have, is that when I want to upgrade something it most likely ends up to be at least 500€ or more ...

[lorekeeper]

If you are not pleased with performance get a PC upgrade if you are not pleased with the audio get a audio upgrade.

 

Indeed, this is trully a question of taste there is no ``right`` answer. Both are resonable purchases it just comes down to you and your workloads/activities on the pc.

[Hyydrah]

The problem with audio and also photography for that matter, that I have, is that when I want to upgrade something it most likely ends up to be at least 500€ or more ...

And it lasts, unlike computer upgrades (for the most part)

[VAITO]

Think about your current specs and what up and coming games you would like to play.. can your current specs handle the next generation of games? if so then you might be better of investing in better audio setup and waiting a tad longer to upgrade your system. Also pc components tend to drop price faster than audio does so that is another factor to think about. But in the end it is completely up to you, only you can decide what you actually need.

[Hyydrah]

Think about your current specs and what up and coming games you would like to play.. can your current specs handle the next generation of games? if so then you might be better of investing in better audio setup and waiting a tad longer to upgrade your system. Also pc components tend to drop price faster than audio does so that is another factor to think about. But in the end it is completely up to you, only you can decide what you actually need.

They drop in price quickly because they are approaching obsolescence. I understand that some people value one over the other, but I think that most people would value a good audio setup more if they had the opportunity to hear it

[solomongrundy]

Hope you have an amp for the headphones, otherwise they are going to sound lifeless.

 

As we all know, computer components phase out quickly, and only takes a few years for even the most powerful components today to become almost obsolete.

 

On the other hand, audio components act very differently. Not only do they last much longer on average, our hearing actually becomes worse in time, not better, giving all the more reason to invest in a better audio setup than a gaming setup.

 

Of course, it really depends on your situation. If you're upgrading from a severely dated system, an upgrade would make much more sense. But is a 7950 upgrade really sensible on such a budget, or are you better off getting a very nice pair of headphones for essentially the same price? (These HD 600s compared to the cheapest 7950 at Newegg.ca. The HD 600s are legitimate, I purchased them from here as you can see below)

 

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[Hyydrah]

Hope you have an amp for the headphones, otherwise they are going to sound lifeless.

That'll come soon. I'm going to be trying some out, hopefully within a couple of days

 

Even with onboard sound, it's still a better value than a 7950 in my opinion

[Lil Chillbil]

no idea of where you were going with this thread... If your pc is running a 8800 even having 3-d surround speakers isn't going to make the battlefield 3 experience better...  :huh:

[Hyydrah]

no idea of where you were going with this thread... If your pc is running a 8800 even having 3-d surround speakers isn't going to make the battlefield 3 experience better...  :huh:

Headphones aren't just for gaming. I actually use mine mostly for things other than gaming (ie. music)

[Lil Chillbil]

I use a pair of turtle beach x12's and they seem to work fine btw

[Hyydrah]

I use a pair of turtle beach x12's and they seem to work fine btw

Have you tried other headphones? Walk-in retail stores are a good place to look

[Lil Chillbil]

That'll come soon. I'm going to be trying some out, hopefully within a couple of days.

 

Even with onboard sound, it's still a better value than a 7950 in my opinion.

 

 

I now get that this is an audiophile thread, and not a gaming thread. And I know nothing about audio

 

 

see ya guys,  :D

[carolkarine]

I short headphones out all the time so I use cheap earbuds. I need a REALLY nice pair of wireless headphones for music. I'll still use treble boosted earbuds for gaming.

[deafboy]

If you have other nice audio equipment and source material, then go ahead... but if you're just going to listen to MP3s via onboard, pass.

[eoso]

If you are not pleased with performance get a PC upgrade if you are not pleased with the audio get a audio upgrade.

 

This. /closethread

[Nertballs]

personally, video card! but that's me! it's up to you, how much are you gonna notice the difference in audio quality from $50-100, and then$100-300. like cards there's diminishing returns!

[Hyydrah]

personally, video card! but that's me! it's up to you, how much are you gonna notice the difference in audio quality from $50-100, and then$100-300. like cards there's diminishing returns!

I upgraded from Image S5s (~$100) and the HD 650s have an MSRP of $600, there's no going back

[mgsstar]

Personally I would go for a new gpu in order to get better graphics instead of better audio.

[stevv]

HD600: "... Home Cinema Hi-Fi"... :rolleyes:   

[Hyydrah]

HD600: "... Home Cinema Hi-Fi"... :rolleyes:   

Yeah, they crammed whatever they could in to the title to maximize its views.  :P Still very nice headphones for watching movies though

[MalenskiiPC]

I went from a pair of old speakers, to a DG and AKK240's, and let me tell you, it's incredible how much more immersive games will be. Also you can hear Linus's voice much better. :D

[stevv]

Yeah, they crammed whatever they could in to the title to maximize its views.  :P Still very nice headphones for watching movies though.

How are you powering them now?  I have the softer HD650 versions + Fiio E17 (with 6dB gain)