nForce2 audio question - Is the MCP-T that much better than the MCP2 if I am using it for a 2.1 setup?

[DevilsAdvocate]

I run a 2.1 setup at home.

How much better is the sound in the MCP-T southbridge than the MCP2 sound found in many of the nForce2 motherboards?

 

[floccus]

Um, well MCP2 doesn't support Soundstorm so you don't have sound output. The MCP-T has the integrated sound controller that you need to have integrated audio.

so, yeah, you need a board with the MCP-T to get integrated sound.

 

[DevilsAdvocate]

ok - I know the MCP2 has integrated sound of some sort. How bad is the AC97 sound?

 

[slycat]

ac97 is suck...BAD.
better to disable it and buy a used SB card.
To me sb16 sounded better than ac97.

 

[Confused]

ARGH! Not again!

AC97 is only a codec. It itself cannot "suck". It provides no sound, it is just a way of transporting the data across the motherboard. It is the individual chips that govern how well it sounds.

Now, finally, after sorting that out, take a listen to the sound you get first, and then if you can, compare it to an addon soundcard (borrow one from a friend if necessary), then make your decisions. If you think the onboard is OK, then stick with it and save your money.


Confused