Intel's HD Audio PC Sound Ambitions

Introduction

Intel's recent launch of the Grantsdale and Alderwood chipsets represents, among other things, its attempt to push the envelope in the world of integrated audio. Specifically, the new Intel platform uses an audio controller that the Grantsdale and Alderwood chipsets integrate in the ICH6 Southbridge component.

The audio controller offers multi-stream (independent audio streaming), which provides a new range of audio features for PC sound. In particular, the controller can communicate with many codecs to simultaneously handle various audio functions.