Is MSI Audio Boost worth it?

[boren]

They claim it offers the following advantages:

Because the complete audio circuitry is isolated from other features, you'll enjoy less interference and more stability. The built-in headphone amplifier allows you to use studio-grade headgear and get the most amazing sound quality out of your gaming PC.
• Studio level Integrated 600Ω Headphone amplifier
• Gold-flashed audio jacks for pure audio signals
• EMI shielded audio codec & amplifier
• High quality audio capacitors

ALC 1150 -> Unamplified signal -> OPA1652 amplifier -> High quality audio capacitors -> Amplified & filtered signal -> Gold plated connectors

Looks impressive, but will it provide better sound quality compared to what I'm getting now, connecting my headphones (Beyerdynamic DT990 250 Ohm) to an old Denon AVR-1602 receiver which is connected to my PC digital coaxial out? If sound quality via Audio Boost (or similar solutions by other brands) isn't better, then Gigabyte boards (which don't have anything similar) are again candidates.

 

[coffeejunkee]

Gigabyte Sniper series does have similar audio capability.

But my guess is that the Denon will still be better.

 

[boren]

Gigabyte Sniper series does have similar audio capability.

Although the Sniper series is out of my budget, this is good to know. I didn't even pay attention to these boards, with MSI providing the features that I care about for less than half of the price.

But my guess is that the Denon will still be better.

If that is the case, I may even downgrade to a slightly lower model such as the Z87-G55. The price is lower than the Z87-G45 Gaming, but the only differences are the lack of Audio Boost and the replacement of the Killer NIC with a Realtek 8111G (which probably isn't much of a downgrade, more like removal of a lot of bloatware from what I'm reading).

 

[coffeejunkee]

Although the Sniper series is out of my budget, this is good to know. I didn't even pay attention to these boards, with MSI providing the features that I care about for less than half of the price.

If that is the case, I may even downgrade to a slightly lower model such as the Z87-G55. The price is lower than the Z87-G45 Gaming, but the only differences are the lack of Audio Boost and the replacement of the Killer NIC with a Realtek 8111G (which probably isn't much of a downgrade, more like removal of a lot of bloatware from what I'm reading).

The high-end model is a tad expensive indeed but this one is in the same price range as MSI gaming boards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128681

I hear mainly horror stories about Killer nic so I wouldn't let that decide my choice.

 

[boren]

The high-end model is a tad expensive indeed but this one is in the same price range as MSI gaming boards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128681

Are you sure that's the right link? It returns a 404.

I hear mainly horror stories about Killer nic so I wouldn't let that decide my choice.

Yes, I don't consider the Killer NIC to be an advantage, more like the other way around.

 

[DigDog]

does nothing special on my G43 Gaming. decent audio but nothing more.

protip : you can get standalone ethernet drivers for the Killer NIC from here:
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=174229.0

 

[boren]

does nothing special on my G43 Gaming. decent audio but nothing more.

protip : you can get standalone ethernet drivers for the Killer NIC from here:
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=174229.0

As an owner of a G43 Gaming board, do you think the Killer NIC and Audio Boost are worth the premium over a G55 board which has otherwise identical features (if not color scheme)?

 

[coffeejunkee]

Are you sure that's the right link? It returns a 404.

Hmm. I'm talking about the GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z5S: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128681

 

[DigDog]

As an owner of a G43 Gaming board, do you think the Killer NIC and Audio Boost are worth the premium over a G55 board which has otherwise identical features (if not color scheme)?

no.

tbh i bought it because of the color scheme; it was a few ££ more than a basic model, and £20 less than the gigabyte i wanted. The UEFI is f* confusing (- and + keys to change settings, explained nowhere), and i suspect the poor stability of my 4670k is due to the board not being excellent (though i cannot confirm this).
The NIC would not setup properly with the software suite so i *had* to resort to the standalone drivers (it doesnt work with the W7 defaut drivers btw), the audio doesn't impress me.
Not "bad" , but i dont hear any reason to say its excellent.

honestly, i should have bought a Gb.. i keep thinking.

still, if you're looking for A) budget board B) nice color scheme, then you still could consider this.

 

[boren]

Thanks DigDog. I don't personally care about the color scheme. My needs are pretty simple:

Must:
- At least 6 USB ports on the back, with at least 4 being USB 3.0 ports
- SPDIF connector (preferably coaxial rather than optical)
- CrossFire support
- 6 or more SATA connectors
- Good layout, preferably ATX rather than Micro- or Mini-ATX (I prefer a large case anyway, so don't need a small board)
- DVI or HDMI connector to utilize the on-CPU graphics (not likely something I'll do, but I still don't want to give it up)
- PS/2 support

Nice to have:
- OC capabilities
- Sound quality that surpasses what I'm getting with my Denon receiver (when using the headphones)
- Dual BIOS
- eSATA connector

The MSI G55 seems to tick many of these, so if the G43-Gaming doesn't bring valuable features to the table I'll just save a few bucks and go with the G55. I didn't find a Gigabyte board at the same price as the G55 that has the feature I need, but I'll be happy if you could point one.

 

[boren]

Hmm. I'm talking about the GIGABYTE G1.Sniper Z5S: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128681

Wow, looks great. Thanks for pointing this option out!

 

[Maximilian]

Yeah that killer NIC puts me off boards tbh. The G55 uses a reliable common realtek chip.

 

[coffeejunkee]

Wow, looks great. Thanks for pointing this option out!

Welcome, but I must say: "Sound quality that surpasses what I'm getting with my Denon receiver (when using the headphones)" is something that will be hard to find out, and could also depend a lot on personal preference.

So if you decide to stick to your receiver basically a lot of other options open up besides the different brands 'gaming' boards. That said, all brands are pretty much equal nowadays so you could just choose by price or looks.

 

[mindbomb]

my experience with dvd-era recievers headphone quality hasn't been that good. I will say that I prefer sound cards or usb dac+amp, as you can continue to use them after a motherboard upgrade and they probably sound better anyway.

 

[DigDog]

i bought the board *specifically* because it had the killer nic - for science!

seriously, i had a bug biting me to find out if the whole "stack handling" thing was real, and since this board wasn't meant to last forever i thought i could give it a go and test it IRL.

results after months of testing:

Spoiler

bullshit.

also, what cj said.

 

[will889]

I have the smaller Z87M-G43 non gaming variant. It's a good mobo so far I have only had it about a week though. Onboard sound sports the creative cinema that goes with the realtek 892 codec. The creative labs cinema was not good at all so I uninstalled it promptly. So far the onboard is ok but I believe I will throw my x-fi back in the mix. I believe the full ATX Z87-G55 & G43 non-gaming boards have the same codec and creative labs cinema software. So if you buy those boards (or mine) the codec is ok but it's not one of the top solutions as far as onboard goes. It's not amped and it's specs are lower than the Realtek 898/1150 chips. Otherwise great boards from what I have seen, and best of all no killer NIC.