Building an Audio PC: Importance of Capacitor Consistency Across Motherboard, Power Supply, and Graphics Card

[here7423]

Capacitor consistency means using capacitors of the same model from the same manufacturer within a single power circuit to ensure highly matched electrical characteristics.

The capacitors in the power supply, the capacitors on the motherboard, and the capacitors in the graphics card are all from the same brand and model, so the frequency response will be consistent and the sound will not be degraded. If you randomly select the power supply and graphics card and mix different capacitors, you need to ensure that the mixed capacitors have a wider frequency response than the capacitors on the motherboard.

Low-power graphics cards suitable for audio PCs are often classified as low-end series by manufacturers, and the capacitors used are not the same as those on high-end motherboards. In recent years, choosing high-power graphics cards has actually achieved better sound effects. The truth is that a high-power power supply, a low-power graphics card, and the same capacitors for the three are the perfect choice.

I wonder if you agree with my point of view, looking forward to your thoughts on the consistency of capacitors

 

[here7423]

According to the principle of capacitor consistency, you will find an interesting phenomenon. Asus graphics cards or power supplies are not suitable for Asus motherboards, Gigabyte graphics cards are not suitable for Gigabyte motherboards, and the same is true for MSI.
Maybe they will have an epiphany after seeing this post.

 

[D3adc0de]

Capacitor consistency means using capacitors of the same model from the same manufacturer within a single power circuit to ensure highly matched electrical characteristics.

The capacitors in the power supply, the capacitors on the motherboard, and the capacitors in the graphics card are all from the same brand and model, so the frequency response will be consistent and the sound will not be degraded. If you randomly select the power supply and graphics card and mix different capacitors, you need to ensure that the mixed capacitors have a wider frequency response than the capacitors on the motherboard.

Low-power graphics cards suitable for audio PCs are often classified as low-end series by manufacturers, and the capacitors used are not the same as those on high-end motherboards. In recent years, choosing high-power graphics cards has actually achieved better sound effects. The truth is that a high-power power supply, a low-power graphics card, and the same capacitors for the three are the perfect choice.

I wonder if you agree with my point of view, looking forward to your thoughts on the consistency of capacitors

I don't think anyone is going to agree with your point of view

 

[here7423]

I don't think anyone is going to agree with your point of view

For example, if the coupling capacitors on the audio output use Fujitsu capacitors for the left channel and NCC capacitors for the right channel, the sound of the left and right channels will be unbalanced. This view should be unanimously agreed by everyone. Think about it, the frequency response of capacitors of each brand is different, and the frequency response is a curve. It is difficult to find capacitors made of different materials with the same frequency response curve. There are many detailed analysis materials on the Internet about the impact of capacitors on digital circuits. My conclusion is that capacitors will directly affect the sound performance, whether it is an analog circuit or a digital circuit.

 

[redrol]

This is one of the dumber threads ive read.

 

[Fegefeuer]

Just get a Mercury v3 and stop this madness.

 

[m-i-c-k-e-y]

Streamer + LPS (depends) + DDC (optional).
Need not to complicate things.

 

[here7423]

There is an intricate connection between sound and power supply. Each capacitor in the power supply can be seen as a small power unit. Capacitors have frequency characteristics, and capacitors from different brands have different frequency responses. The key point is that only capacitors from the same brand, whether solid-state or electrolytic, will have consistent frequency characteristics.

This is similar to a tug-of-war competition. When force is applied to the same rope in the same direction, it creates a resultant force in that direction. If the directions are different, the force is scattered. The same principle applies to capacitors in a power supply system. If capacitors are from different brands, their frequency characteristics may not be consistent, resulting in a lack of coordination in the overall power supply system.

A very clear example I have observed is the filtering capacitor on the digital power supply side of the DAC decoding chip. When capacitors from the same brand as the analog circuit are used, the sound becomes fuller. However, when capacitors from different brands are used, the sound becomes not fuller. This phenomenon indicates that capacitors play a role not only in noise filtering and power regulation, but also directly affect the sound quality.

If the digital signal is transmitted to an external DAC, the external DAC is powered by an independent power supply system. In this case, if you want to maintain consistency in the sound style, the external DAC and even the power amplifier device should also ensure consistency in capacitor brand with the sound source device.

In an audio computer, we can treat the entire system, including the power supply, as a whole. All capacitors in this system—whether in the power supply, motherboard, graphics card, or other components—should be from the same brand. Only when the capacitors' brand is consistent across the entire system will the frequency characteristics of the power supply remain aligned, leading to better sound quality.

 

[Shawnb]

I highly doubt you'll ever be able to match capacitors.

Where are all the people that claim cables and everything else doesn't matter, this seems like something perfect for them to show how much smarter and superior they are

 

[here7423]

I highly doubt you'll ever be able to match capacitors.

We can look for component breakdown diagrams to identify the capacitor brands used in these parts, and then choose the best brand to match.

For mouse and keyboards, finding capacitors from the same brand as the rest of the system may be challenging. This means that you might need to DIY and replace them, which can be a significant challenge for average users.

 

[Shawnb]

We can look for component breakdown diagrams to identify the capacitor brands used in these parts, and then choose the best brand to match.

For mouse and keyboards, finding capacitors from the same brand as the rest of the system may be challenging. This means that you might need to DIY and replace them, which can be a significant challenge for average users.

Good luck with that

 

[here7423]

Good luck with that

Thank you, I expect dissidents will flock here soon, let's wait for the storm to come

 

[bfreedma]

There is an intricate connection between sound and power supply. Each capacitor in the power supply can be seen as a small power unit. Capacitors have frequency characteristics, and capacitors from different brands have different frequency responses. The key point is that only capacitors from the same brand, whether solid-state or electrolytic, will have consistent frequency characteristics.

This is similar to a tug-of-war competition. When force is applied to the same rope in the same direction, it creates a resultant force in that direction. If the directions are different, the force is scattered. The same principle applies to capacitors in a power supply system. If capacitors are from different brands, their frequency characteristics may not be consistent, resulting in a lack of coordination in the overall power supply system.

A very clear example I have observed is the filtering capacitor on the digital power supply side of the DAC decoding chip. When capacitors from the same brand as the analog circuit are used, the sound becomes fuller. However, when capacitors from different brands are used, the sound becomes not fuller. This phenomenon indicates that capacitors play a role not only in noise filtering and power regulation, but also directly affect the sound quality.

If the digital signal is transmitted to an external DAC, the external DAC is powered by an independent power supply system. In this case, if you want to maintain consistency in the sound style, the external DAC and even the power amplifier device should also ensure consistency in capacitor brand with the sound source device.

In an audio computer, we can treat the entire system, including the power supply, as a whole. All capacitors in this system—whether in the power supply, motherboard, graphics card, or other components—should be from the same brand. Only when the capacitors' brand is consistent across the entire system will the frequency characteristics of the power supply remain aligned, leading to better sound quality.

Make sure that not only the capacitors are the same, but they are from the same run. Be sure to call the factory and check to see that every capacitor was made from the same batches of raw materials. Demand bills of lading - you don't want to mix plates made with metal from India with plates made from metal from China - the sound will never match up...

Or stop because what you are proposing will have zero impact unless you're replacing a capacitor that is actually bad.