best onboard sound? *DELETED* *DELETED*

AC '97 is a specification standard met by all ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) chips found on sound cards and motherboards.

AC '97 is defined below.

Intel's AC'97 specification was originally intended for computer audio applications, and is in fact used on millions of PC motherboards and soundcards manufactured today. However, due to its versatility and the integration of an AC'97 interface on many microprocessor chipsets, AC'97 technology is also increasingly used in set-top boxes, internet appliances, home entertainment and mobile systems.

The AC'97 specification defines a two-chip architecture consisting of a mixed-signal codec and a purely digital controller, which is usually integrated with other digital functions (e.g. South Bridge). The two devices communicate through a 5-wire interface known as AC-Link, which can carry up to six full duplex audio streams, two modem data streams and control data.

AC'97 codecs integrate at least one stereo ADC (analogue-to-digital converter) and stereo DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) and a highly adaptable analogue mixer / multiplexer on a single device. More recent codecs also offer extra features such as multi-channel audio, S/PDIF output and variable sample rate operation.

Wolfson Microelectronics offers a growing range of AC'97 codecs covering every part of the market, from handheld devices where low power consumption is paramount, to high-end multimedia and home entertainment systems.


<font color=red><i>Doctor Hooter</i></font color=red> <A HREF="http://www.page3.com/" target="_new"><b>(·Y·)</b></A>

Do you honestly know anyone that was dumb enough to pay $200 for one? You could practically buy a Sound Blaster Audigy2 and a good motherboard for that price.

Instead of Rdram, why not just merge 4 Sdram channels...

There are people that hate digital soundcards and always go for tubes... those will sertainly like that board.

My dual-PSU PC is so powerfull that the neighbourhood dimms when I turn it on

This tubes surely stresses the PSU to it's limits.

<b> "You can put lipstick on a pig, but hey, it's still a pig!" - RobD </b>

mmmm go tubes!

<b>My Computer is so powerful Sauron Desires it and mortal men Covet it, <i>My Precioussssssss</i></b>

I didn't know any of those onboard codecs beside AC'97.

My dual-PSU PC is so powerfull that the neighbourhood dimms when I turn it on

Only heard... never read any review about them.

My dual-PSU PC is so powerfull that the neighbourhood dimms when I turn it on

I thought nForce 2 had an APU, which removes any additional integrated audio chip?

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This post is brought to you by Eden, on a Via Eden, in the garden of Eden.

i know i should probably go around looking for the answer myself, but whats APU - besides the Quicky Mart "please come again!" dude

<b>Moore's Law:</b> <i>Processor speed doubles every 12 to 18 months.</i>
<b>OverClocker's Law:</b> <i>My processor went that fast 12 to 18 months ago.</i>

I've resolved that every PC term that ends with PU, has some processing unit in it.

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This post is brought to you by Eden, on a Via Eden, in the garden of Eden.

AGP
PCI
ISA
FSB
MCH
CPU
HSF
FAN
POT
LED
TFT
VCD
DVD
CRT
RAM
DDR
SDR
RDR
PSU
UPS
IGP
APC
HDD
FDD
IDE
ATA

Im sure there are more, but lots of these dont have PU or processing unit in them. So there

<b>Anyone claiming they can see the difference
between 450 and 500 FPS in Quake3 deserves to
be severely beaten with a rock. </b>

glad I know something

Instead of Rdram, why not just merge 4 Sdram channels...