Technology gamers don't need
- Thread starter James
- Start date
Mephisto_Helix
Grump Squad
Had a good laugh at this article, it's so true in so many cases, lol. I need to show this to a few people ........ soon 
I agree 100% with this article. I only have a basic MSI p67a-GD65 motherboard and I bet you it's the same as any high end motherboard. people with ROG motherboards won't gain any extra performance.
One of my friends bought a Asus Z68 ROG motherboard and because he spend so much on the motherboard he couldn't afford a good graphics card so he bought a 560 and I bought 2x 570s
Another thing you can add is i7 CPU or 2011 socket CPU. Games are more demanding on graphics cards up to a point. I'm running 2x570GTX cards and i5-2500k and run BF3 on ultra @ 60FPS constant.
One of my friends bought a Asus Z68 ROG motherboard and because he spend so much on the motherboard he couldn't afford a good graphics card so he bought a 560 and I bought 2x 570s
Another thing you can add is i7 CPU or 2011 socket CPU. Games are more demanding on graphics cards up to a point. I'm running 2x570GTX cards and i5-2500k and run BF3 on ultra @ 60FPS constant.
Same here. Sennheiser 558 and they are jus EPPPPPPPPPPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saint_Dee
The Phantom Poet
Awesome, yours have an even better sound stage since they're open rather than closed like mine.
Lycanthrope
New member
Glordit
Neo Zeon
Went from 2.0 Stereo to 5.1 Headphones and the difference is there. It might not be 5 separate individual drivers in the headset but it gives a sense of direction audio 100 times better than a 2.0 Set Can.
murfle
New member
IPS look incredible. I have one since I am a photographer, and the colours are much closer to what they'll be in print without calibration. However, they are usually 5ms, whereas any serious gamer will insist on 2ms displays to reduce on ghosting, etc.
Lycanthrope
New member
+1
The difference between 5ms and 2ms is pretty bloody negligible at best and only something someone with a major insecurity would need to obsess over.
As MOnk says, 2ms monitors often have their own problems.
I'm no expert on the matter but ghosting only really happens at > 12ms?
Also... "serious gamer." Pff... The only folk who can legitimately claim that title are those who love gaming. Anything else is just cock-measuring (and often laced with a special kind of fail)...
Saint_Dee
The Phantom Poet
My 2 cents worth on the matter of Headphones:
5.1* Headphones are better than Stereo cans when it comes to creating a surround effect (I'm referring to headphones with actual multiple drivers for each ear rather than virtual surround as virtual surround cans are basically stereo cans). So if precision in sound location and positioning is what you're looking for, 5.1 cans are better than stereo cans in that regard (relatively), but that pro comes with a big con, 5.1 cans recreate the surround effect at the cost of the sound quality in terms of sound replication as focused is lost through the multiple drivers.
Stereo cans bring it up the rear with their superior and wider sound stage that projects a similar surround effect as 5.1 cans (maybe not as precise, but close), and because they only use 2 drivers, they don't renege on the sound replication and quality the way that 5.1 cans do.
If we look further at the stereo cans, there's the question of closed back vs open back headphones, each with pros and cons. Closed cans thrive in sound isolation and are usually for those who don't want sound leaking out or in. The downside is that the sound stage in most closed cans is only about 75% - 85% the quality of the sound stage found in opened cans (still a better focused sound stage than surround cans).
Opened cans on the other hand have the best sound stage (I still dream of getting my hands on a pair of HD 800's
). As a result of the open design, the sound stage is wider and with the best recreates sound as it was created and could even match 5.1 cans with their surround imaging (higher end headphone of course). Their issue is with their strength, the open design. This design is a double edged sword because of sound leakage (in and out). Your sound will be heard by those around and you will hear those around you.
Another question is whether you use your cans for music (your answer is probably yes). Mid to high end 5.1 cans will easily play 2nd fiddle to mid to high end Stereo cans when it comes to music simply because 5.1 cans don't cater for different elements present in music (Lows, mid tones, mid highs, high tones, and the subtle ambient tones), this is once again because focus of sound is lost through the multiple drivers. This is also key to why most audiophiles will advise you to get quality stereo cans over quality 5.1 cans.
Another key factor is the sound card**, you need a quality sound card to reach the true potential of your cans (stereo or surround). USB only uses the default drivers (sound drivers) to drive the sound which in general means it won't be the best quality you're getting, analog (3.5mm jack) is the better choice, but avoid your front audio ports, these degrade the quality of your cans.
Jeez
, I didn't intend to write an essay.
*I'm also referring to 7.1 cans
**If you're a PC gamer
tl;dr: Surround cans are better (relatively) for surround effect, Stereo cans are much better for sound replication and music. It's more complex than 5.1 is better than stereo or vice versa.
I personally prefer stereo cans
5.1* Headphones are better than Stereo cans when it comes to creating a surround effect (I'm referring to headphones with actual multiple drivers for each ear rather than virtual surround as virtual surround cans are basically stereo cans). So if precision in sound location and positioning is what you're looking for, 5.1 cans are better than stereo cans in that regard (relatively), but that pro comes with a big con, 5.1 cans recreate the surround effect at the cost of the sound quality in terms of sound replication as focused is lost through the multiple drivers.
Stereo cans bring it up the rear with their superior and wider sound stage that projects a similar surround effect as 5.1 cans (maybe not as precise, but close), and because they only use 2 drivers, they don't renege on the sound replication and quality the way that 5.1 cans do.
If we look further at the stereo cans, there's the question of closed back vs open back headphones, each with pros and cons. Closed cans thrive in sound isolation and are usually for those who don't want sound leaking out or in. The downside is that the sound stage in most closed cans is only about 75% - 85% the quality of the sound stage found in opened cans (still a better focused sound stage than surround cans).
Opened cans on the other hand have the best sound stage (I still dream of getting my hands on a pair of HD 800's
). As a result of the open design, the sound stage is wider and with the best recreates sound as it was created and could even match 5.1 cans with their surround imaging (higher end headphone of course). Their issue is with their strength, the open design. This design is a double edged sword because of sound leakage (in and out). Your sound will be heard by those around and you will hear those around you.Another question is whether you use your cans for music (your answer is probably yes). Mid to high end 5.1 cans will easily play 2nd fiddle to mid to high end Stereo cans when it comes to music simply because 5.1 cans don't cater for different elements present in music (Lows, mid tones, mid highs, high tones, and the subtle ambient tones), this is once again because focus of sound is lost through the multiple drivers. This is also key to why most audiophiles will advise you to get quality stereo cans over quality 5.1 cans.
Another key factor is the sound card**, you need a quality sound card to reach the true potential of your cans (stereo or surround). USB only uses the default drivers (sound drivers) to drive the sound which in general means it won't be the best quality you're getting, analog (3.5mm jack) is the better choice, but avoid your front audio ports, these degrade the quality of your cans.
Jeez
, I didn't intend to write an essay. *I'm also referring to 7.1 cans
**If you're a PC gamer
tl;dr: Surround cans are better (relatively) for surround effect, Stereo cans are much better for sound replication and music. It's more complex than 5.1 is better than stereo or vice versa.
I personally prefer stereo cans
Last edited:
Glordit
Neo Zeon
My 2 cents worth on the matter of Headphones:
5.1* Headphones are better than Stereo cans when it comes to creating a surround effect (I'm referring to headphones with actual multiple drivers for each ear rather than virtual surround as virtual surround cans are basically stereo cans). So if precision in sound location and positioning is what you're looking for, 5.1 cans are better than stereo cans in that regard (relatively), but that pro comes with a big con, 5.1 cans recreate the surround effect at the cost of the sound quality in terms of sound replication as focused is lost through the multiple drivers.
Stereo cans bring it up the rear with their superior and wider sound stage that projects a similar surround effect as 5.1 cans (maybe not as precise, but close), and because they only use 2 drivers, they don't renege on the sound replication and quality the way that 5.1 cans do.
If we look further at the stereo cans, there's the question of closed back vs open back headphones, each with pros and cons. Closed cans thrive in sound isolation and are usually for those who don't want sound leaking out or in. The downside is that the sound stage in most closed cans is only about 75% - 85% the quality of the sound stage found in opened cans (still a better focused sound stage than surround cans).
Opened cans on the other hand have the best sound stage (I still dream of getting my hands on a pair of HD 800's
Another question is whether you use your cans for music (your answer is probably yes). Mid to high end 5.1 cans will easily play 2nd fiddle to mid to high end Stereo cans when it comes to music simply because 5.1 cans don't cater for different elements present in music (Lows, mid tones, mid highs, high tones, and the subtle ambient tones), this is once again because focus of sound is lost through the multiple drivers. This is also key to why most audiophiles will advise you to get quality stereo cans over quality 5.1 cans.
Another key factor is the sound card**, you need a quality sound card to reach the true potential of your cans (stereo or surround). USB only uses the default drivers (sound drivers) to drive the sound which in general means it won't be the best quality you're getting, analog (3.5mm jack) is the better choice, but avoid your front audio ports, these degrade the quality of your cans.
Jeez
*I'm also referring to 7.1 cans
**If you're a PC gamer
tl;dr: Surround cans are better (relatively) for surround effect, Stereo cans are much better for sound replication and music. It's more complex than 5.1 is better than stereo or vice versa.
I personally prefer stereo cans
Thats a given, Stereo headsets will always be superior to 5.1/7.1 sets when it comes to sound reproduction, hence why you never see Sennheiser/AGK/Audio Technica do anything other than Stereo sets.
Saint_Dee
The Phantom Poet
Yep, it basically boils down to what you're willing to gain and lose. Better positioning for poorer sound reproduction, or Better sound reproduction for less than precise positioning.