Originally posted by: Kaama
I understand that the on board sound is software based, so this will take up lots more cpu power then the SB Live! value, right ?
K
Preliminary testing shows that as CPU speed increases, SoundMAX 4 outperforms traditional hardware based PCI sound cards, which are plagued by data traffic congestion on the PCI bus. In other words, game frame rates (by which PC systems are measured) will work better with a software based SoundMAX 4 than with a hardware based PCI sound card, regardless of the display resolution.
Originally posted by: Kaama
well now, that is interesting, the data sheet says:
Preliminary testing shows that as CPU speed increases, SoundMAX 4 outperforms traditional hardware based PCI sound cards, which are plagued by data traffic congestion on the PCI bus. In other words, game frame rates (by which PC systems are measured) will work better with a software based SoundMAX 4 than with a hardware based PCI sound card, regardless of the display resolution.
I wonder at what sort of CPU speed it starts to make a difference, does anyone else have any info to back this up ?
SoundMAX SPX (Sound Production eXtensions)
Sensaura 3D Positional Audio (3DPA)
EAX, A3D and DirectSound 3D support
Originally posted by: Kaama
well now, that is interesting, the data sheet says:
Preliminary testing shows that as CPU speed increases, SoundMAX 4 outperforms traditional hardware based PCI sound cards, which are plagued by data traffic congestion on the PCI bus. In other words, game frame rates (by which PC systems are measured) will work better with a software based SoundMAX 4 than with a hardware based PCI sound card, regardless of the display resolution.
I wonder at what sort of CPU speed it starts to make a difference, does anyone else have any info to back this up ?
Originally posted by: Slammy1
Hmmm... I have my system hooked up to 600W+ speakers, and in general I'm happier with the Soundmax. I ran 3dMark both w/ and w/o my 5.1 mp3+ Gamer and found that my scores jumped from 5200 with the SB to 6000 w/o it. The reason I took it out in the first place was it would crash 3dMark03 during the sound check, and I also found removing it solved a few other issues like Asus probe problems. The S/P DIF works much better on Soundmax for DD5.1 transfer to my receiver, but given the software and my riser card running a Toslink to my receiver music was definitely superior on the SB. I'm selling it to a friend along with my MB, so I'll live until I ultimately upgrade to a Terratec or something similar (my next upgrade).