Intel's HD Audio PC Sound Ambitions

Does Intel Know How To Play?

Since the PC is such a popular gaming platform, we thought it would be interesting to see how Intel's audio system managed PC gaming sound. We must point out immediately that it is compatible with the main standards, such as DS3D, A3D and EAX 1 and 2, of course (versions higher than EAX remain proprietary). In order to get a better idea of what Intel HD Audio can do, we compared it with what a Creative Audigy 2ZS card installed on the same computer (with integrated audio deactivated). All of the tests were performed at the maximum configuration (7.1).

As far as the processor occupation test went - which is rather theoretical - the difference was overwhelmingly in favor of the Creative card.

Moving on to practical tests with popular games, the difference still favored the Creative card, even though it was clearly less sensitive than in theoretical tests. In two of the games tried, it was possible to deactivate the sound so we added a test without sound in order to show you what you are missing compared to maximum performance.

Clearly, Intel HD Audio performs very well, even if not up to the level of equipment optimized for this task. It must also be emphasized that Creative Audigy 2ZS supports EAX 4 and thus the sound effects that are better than those that other sound systems have to offer, at least in the case of games that are compatible with this standard. Intel HD Audio nevertheless remains capable of satisfying a large number of players.

Finally

Using HD Audio, Intel has shaken up the rather sleepy world of integrated audio, where the reference standard, AC97, has been around for a long time. There is no question that HD Audio has a lot of potential in the multimedia context and in shaping the way integrated audio will develop in the future.

It also remains to be seen exactly what will happen and what the response to integrated solutions will be from major players such as Creative, which uses IP from analog devices. An audio war could be in the making, which in fact would be a battle of semiconductor components, initiated by Intel with its HD Audio chip technology.