AC 97 on-board sound quality

serialb

Diamond Member
Mar 20, 2000
3,107
7
81
Hi all,

In terms of quality, how would AC 97 on-board sound compare to Sound Blaster Live! Also, most of the motherboard manufacturers wouldn't mention which version of AC97 codec they use on their boards. Do they use the latest 2.2? I have been looking for information from VIA but no luck. Thanks in advance.

serialb
 

SpideyCU

Golden Member
Nov 17, 2000
1,402
0
0
My dad's system is using the AC97 on his Epox KT133 mobo. While I can't tell you which version of the codec he's using (I'll check this weekend when I go back, but someone else will probably have answered by then), I can tell you that the sound is good. I'm no audiophile so I'm sure someone will overrule me on this though. Obviously you don't get the benefits of things like 4-channel sound or digital output, but overall for someone who doesn't need to squeeze every bit of juice from their CPU (like my dad) it works much better than a cheap $20 sound card you'd find at a computer show. Overall when I go back home every few weekends or what-not and play Diablo II on his system or listen to music, it sounds...well, let me leave it as 'good enough'. It's not as nice as my SBLive! in my rig, but normally I can't tell the difference (aside from there being only two satellites, heh).
 

Boonesmi

Lifer
Feb 19, 2001
14,448
1
81
i also think ac97 sound is ok

if all you do is listen to a few mp3's play some games and want basic windows sound then the onboard is good

 

userpete

Member
Jun 5, 2001
179
0
0
Yep, it works good for me on my Abit SH6, so i'm glad i don't have to get into the SB live drivers thing that's a total pain.

Pete
 

Stark

Diamond Member
Jun 16, 2000
7,735
0
0
I ditched my sb live in favor of the onboard ac'97 and haven't regretted it.