ASUS CUSL2 and the AC 97 audio option --- questions

[Noid]

I have a ISA Creative labs SB card in my old Dell. It looks like I'll have to scrap my current ISA card, since I see no ISA slots on this new board.

My 1st question:
Is the audio option more $$$?

My 2nd question:
I also have a Altec lansing speaker USB speaker system.
If a get the audio option on the ASUS mb, will it use the USB port that the speaker system uses? Will the Altec lansing software work with this new mb?

I will be happy if the audio option will eliminate a purchase of a new sound card.

 

[ceraph]

[Is the audio option more expensive?]

The only CUSL2 board that actually includes the supported AC97 codec is the CUSL2-M, which is the microATX form factor made for notebooks and the like. You won't be able to find the standard CUSL2 with the codec installed.

You can purchase an SB Live! Value OEM card from any local computer show for about $45. The AC97 support is horrible anyway -- it's a codec that was made for OEM manufacturers to just throw together a cheap combination system. Asus generally caters to the built-it-yourself crowd, and they decided (wisely) that the vast majority of their customers would purchase an add-on audio card.

[Will my speaker system work with the USB port?]

Well, the USB problems with this board are really inconsistent. If I were to go with average results, I'd say you'll have no USB problems. Most of the problems reported were with USB control devices like mice, etc. I don't know exactly what your speaker system does with USB, but as long as you use Bios 1002 you should be OK.

--

ceraph

Asus CUSL2 PCB 1.02 BIOS 1002
Intel Pentium PIII/733
Micron 256MB PC133 SDRAM CAS-3

 

[Noid]

Thx Ceraph....

I'm gonna go by one now ...

(Hope my Razor mouse (USB) wont have problems !!! yikes!!)
i'm a gamer


cya around