Considering SN41G2, have questions...

[Permanent4]

I am considering upgrading my big, noisy case tower to a small, less noisy Shuttle SN41G2 XPC. I'm going with AMD model because I already have an Athlon XP 1800 in my system, and it would be easy enough for me to move my CPU, hard drive & CD-RW drive into the Shuttle, then sell off the remaining parts to help pay for this thing.

My main questions center around the audio processor inside this unit. According to Shuttle's web site, the SN41G2 uses something called "Realtek ALC 650". According to the nVidia web site, however, the nForce2 chipset uses its own DirectX-compatible audio processing unit. So my questions are:

- What's the difference between these two things, if there is one?
- Which audio processing unit comes with the SN41G2?
- Is the on-board audio full-duplex?
- Are there driver updates to make this work with DirectX 9, or is it still tied to DX8?
- How well do the input/output jacks work? Any interference with other parts?

The audio is kind of important to me, because I make music on the side, and I'd like to know how well the nForce audio compares to the SoundBlaster Live I already own. (Obviously, if the audio isn't great, I'll just toss the SB Live back in, but I'm curious about this, anyway...)

Also, what memory would be the best to use in this system? What are the advantages of PC2700 over PC2100? I don't plan to overclock at all, but I'd like to have a little breathing room in case I decide to update the CPU.

Thanks for your help, guys.

-David, hoping I don't sound too much like a newbie here.

 

[loup garou]

The Realtek chip is a "helper" chip to the nForce chipset. I'm not certain about your other questions, but I'll let you know this...the AQ is a LOT better than my former system's Live! card.

 

[Bateluer]

The system is based on the Nforce 2 chipset, so its specs are basicly the same, with some exceptions.

 

[Permanent4]

So that Realtek "helper" chip is what makes the APU full-duplex then? Or is it full-duplex at all?

-David, who can't understand why the full-duplex question seems so hard to answer.

 

[psteng19]

I'd suggest getting an Audigy2 if you're seriously into sound quality.

BTW, which color SN41G2 are you getting?
Could you post pics when you do?
I'm looking for black pics.

 

[John]

Which audio processing unit comes with the SN41G2?

[*]The SN41G2 uses the nForce2 apu (MCP-T) and is one of the only 3 motherboards that is soundstorm certified
[*]The Realtek chip is a codec only for in/out put connections.
[*]It's DX8 AFAIK, dunno about future driver updates yet.
[*]The onboard sound is comprable to the audigy, and surpasses the Live! 5.1
[*]here's an excellent review
[*]Yes, the SN41G2 offers full duplex sound

 

[Permanent4]

Originally posted by: John
[*]It uses the nForce2 apu (MCP-T) and is one of the only few that is soundstorm certified.
[*]The Realtek chip is a codec only for in/out put connections.
[*]It's DX8 AFAIK, dunno about future driver updates yet.
[*]The onboard sound is comprable to the audigy, and surpasses the Live! 5.1
[*]here's an excellent review
[*]Yes, the SN41G2 offers full duplex sound

John, you rock. Thanks for the info.

-David, who would consider a pro sound card further down the road.

 

[John]

You're welcome.

Also, what memory would be the best to use in this system? What are the advantages of PC2700 over PC2100? I don't plan to overclock at all, but I'd like to have a little breathing room in case I decide to update the CPU.

Go with PC2700 since the price difference is negligable compared to PC2100. This was you have headroom to run 333FSB Athlon's.

 

[Foghorn]

My new Turtle Beach Santa Cruz sounds much better for music than my Audigy 1, and no BS Creative Labs bloatware during the software install.