How good is the onboard sound chip on the Asus P4PE ?

[jaytone]

I am upgrading to a new system. My old system had the Audigy Soundblaster. I sold that system.
I just ordered the Asus P4PE with the onboard sound and did not order a separate soundcard.
I have the Klipsch 4.0 speakers and subwoofer
I usually play games and listen to MP3's

So, can someone please tell me how good the onboard sound is ? Is there a big difference is sound between it and the Audigy card ?
Thanks

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I'm no audiophile so the soundmax audio on my P4PE/L is more than sufficent for my gaming, DVD, and audio enjoyment, however, judging from input by audiophiles, no on-board sound solution is exceptable for their particular tastes, HTH

 

[TenEgg]

Do all the 3 versions of P4PE come with soundmax or just the top one?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: TenEgg
Do all the 3 versions of P4PE come with soundmax or just the top one?

All the models@newegg come with ADI1980 6-channel CODEC so it certainly looks that way.

 

[TenEgg]

so is this better than the realtek onboard sound?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: TenEgg
so is this better than the realtek onboard sound?

That I cannot say, IMO such things can be as much a matter of opinion and quality of speakers as it is actual specs of the two solutions, but again, i'm no audiophile and my opinion should be considered with that in mind

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Are you asking for Realtek ALC650?
ALC650 is not onboard sound, it's just a pure codec to partner with the chipset's built-in sound engine.

Soundmax on Asus' PE/GE motherboards is not a pure codec, kind of half hardware half software based complete sound processor chip.
IBM, Compaq PC have been using this chip in their 845G motherboard for the onboard sound instead of using ICH4.

Soundmax (the company is called Analog Device) also makes pure codec like ALC650, which are AD1981A, AD1981B, etc. You could find them in some motherboards not using ALC650.

 

[villager]

I dont have the top of the line P4PE but I have the Soundmax chip as well as the broadcom chip. I had a Santa Cruz card in my system but, after checking out the sound of the soundmax chip, I removed it and now use the Soundmax. I heard no difference in games and DVDs.

 

[Pluto]

Can DD 5.1 encoded sources (eg DVDs) be output via the 6 channel analog outputs on this board, ala SB Live5.1/Audigy ? Or do you need to use the spdif connector and an external DD decoder?

 

[LouPoir]

Id say its equal to a SBLIve.

Lou

 

[Kingofcomputer]

if you use spdif output and ampilifer with spdif input and built-in DD decoder, you set the dvd software player to pass thru AC-3.
this is for any sound card or motherboard onboard sound with spdif out jack.

if you use 6 ch analog output and 6 ch analog input pc speakers without built-in DD decoder, you set the dvd software player to decode AC-3 and output to 6 ch analog out.
this is for any sound card or motherboard onboard sound with 6 ch analog out jacks.

 

[BDawg]

I have a P4PE, and the SoundMAX is at least as good as my old SBLive. Probably better since I don't have any of the old Creative driver issues.

 

[Tresdrez]

I just bought an ASUS P4PE/R/L/F/SATA Motherboard, P4 2.4Ghz 533Mhz (No OC), 2x 512 MB Crucial PC 2700 DDR.

I currently own a SB Live Value and Cambridge SoundWorks DeskTop Theater DTT2500. Should I install the SB Live, or just use the onboard sound?

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Tresdrez
I just bought an ASUS P4PE/R/L/F/SATA Motherboard, P4 2.4Ghz 533Mhz (No OC), 2x 512 MB Crucial PC 2700 DDR.

I currently own a SB Live Value and Cambridge SoundWorks DeskTop Theater DTT2500. Should I install the SB Live, or just use the onboard sound?

Give the on-board a try and judge for yourself If you were going to overclock I'd say stick with the SB since many of us have our on-board sound on the P4PE series cop out at over 150fsb.

 

[Tresdrez]

Thanks, that is what I decided I was going to do. I am not planning on OC'ing anyway.

 

[Skypix7]

regarding sound, can I use the onboard sound (for the Post Reporter) while I have my Santa Cruz sound card installed, or is it an either/or deal?
thanks

 

[Tresdrez]

The onboard sound is ok, except I get an occasional pop. I have a SB Live, which I will install eventually. But for onboard sound I think it rates better than most.

 

[Skypix7]

cool, thanks