Do sound cards matter?

[Amos Terrapin]

I've been using on-board sound for awhile now. With MTW2 on the way I'm trying to squeeze out as much performance as possible. Is there a noticeable performance increase if you install a sound card? Is a $25 - $35 sound card worth while? Thanks for any help you can give.

[Arakorn]

I might be wrong, but I've heard that sound cards generally take off workload from the processor. So if your CPU is good, then you should be okay. However, if you have a bit older CPU, then it may actually do some difference, as the CPU is probably the most important part of the computer in Total War. Sound Cards also make the sound better, enable surround sounds (5.1, 7.1 etc) and other things.

[SnArF|D]

In FPS games, yes. But in RTS games, normally no.
I know in RTW if I mute the sound I get no performance boost.

[Incinerate_IV]

No, it make a tiny difference, but it's not noticeable.

[AlfonsoVIII]

Only buy a sound card if you plan on buying a 6 speaker set with a subwoofer to go with it. If you want some improvement, go big or dont go with it at all.