nforce2 sound VS. sound blaster live!

[Soulkeeper]

which is the best for 3d gaming with a 5.1 surround sound setup ??

 

[Schadenfroh]

nforce soundstorm is on the same level as a sound blaster audigy

 

[sellmen]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
nforce soundstorm is on the same level as a sound blaster audigy

Only if you use the digital out. The quality when using the Nforce2 analog output can be significantly inferior, depending on the codec used by the motherboard.

 

[Boogak]

When I upgraded to a 8RDA+, I opted to use the onboard sound vs. my SBLive. Can't tell a difference in sound quality, but I did notice in the 3DMark2K3 audio tests, there was significantly less dropoff in FPS when using more 3d audio streams with the 8RDA+ vs. the SBLive.

 

[stncttr908]

I don't really notice the difference either, and I don't use the digital. I couldn't see spending the extra bucks unless you have a $300 sound system.

 

[BoomAM]

For gaming. They are about the same.
But for gaming, the Audigy blows the Soundstorm out of the water due to the fact that it supports more gaming sound standards.

 

[MichaelD]

I have a set of Klipsch PM 4.1s. They are considered "good PC speakers." I use the NForce2 sound over my SBLIVE XGamer card, I use the analog connections. (Two, front and rear). I do this for a number of reasons.

1. No more Creative drivers on my system (they still suck, I don't care what anyone says; I'd still get random lockups)
2. For games, the sound quality is equal, if not better, and for music it's better.
3. The NForce control panel is vastly superior IMHO to Creative's
4. See #1

Granted, I've yet to experience the alleged joys of a DIGITAL connection b/t speakers like the 560s and an Audigy2...but the Audigy is STILL a Creative product and therefore must suck...somehow.

Besides, my 8RDA+ came with the SPDIF out bracket...if I ever needed a digital out, I'd have one.

 

[ViRGE]

The soundstorm is nice, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, definately go digital; no one is using the SigmaTel codecs they're supposed to be using, so analog is always lacking(although not everyone notices the difference or considers it a problem). Secondly, Boom is right in that it supports fewer standards; no A3D driver, and no EAX Advanced HD support. Lastly, Nvidia still seems to be working on their EAX quality; the last time I messed with a Soundstorm board, the audio in UT2003 was very unbalence and hollow.

 

[Sheriff]

The Soundstorm will use less CPU Usage then the SBLive and the new drivers has help, supposedly there will be a new Control Panel for it soon.

 

[PrinceXizor]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
The soundstorm is nice, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, definately go digital; no one is using the SigmaTel codecs they're supposed to be using, so analog is always lacking(although not everyone notices the difference or considers it a problem). Secondly, Boom is right in that it supports fewer standards; no A3D driver, and no EAX Advanced HD support. Lastly, Nvidia still seems to be working on their EAX quality; the last time I messed with a Soundstorm board, the audio in UT2003 was very unbalence and hollow.

Can u clarify? The question was about Live! vs. nforce2 sound....and boom's comment was about audigy vs. nforce2 sound...

 

[Dug]

He is also asking about a 5.1 setup.

The creative cards CAN NOT encode to DD thus not able to do true 5.1
Which I find superior to any EAX implement.

So the only choice is Nforce.

 

[Noriaki]

If you've got the MCP-T south bridge (aka the soundstorm) I'd definately take that over any SB Live.

If you don't have the soundstorm, and you just have the regular 6 channel codec I'd still take that over most SBLive!s unless you have the original SBLive! Full, or the SBLive! 5.1 Platinum and you want all the extra connectivity.

If you just have an SBLive! Value (or X-Gamer or MP3+) i'd go with the nForce sound.

Although, I'm picking up an nForce board today, I'm keeping my Santa Cruz over it
So there!

(Not MCP-T, so no Sound Storm for me)

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: Dug
He is also asking about a 5.1 setup.

The creative cards CAN NOT encode to DD thus not able to do true 5.1
Which I find superior to any EAX implement.

So the only choice is Nforce.

5.1 encoding is not needed for "true 5.1" sound. As long as the card has the capability to seperate each channel from on another and direct it to the right speaker, then it will be 5.1.
Despite what alot of you guys/gals think the SoundStorm aint as good as alot of you think.

 

[Dug]

Originally posted by: BoomAM

Originally posted by: Dug
He is also asking about a 5.1 setup.

The creative cards CAN NOT encode to DD thus not able to do true 5.1
Which I find superior to any EAX implement.

So the only choice is Nforce.

5.1 encoding is not needed for "true 5.1" sound. As long as the card has the capability to seperate each channel from on another and direct it to the right speaker, then it will be 5.1.
Despite what alot of you guys/gals think the SoundStorm aint as good as alot of you think.

Ummm, yes DD encoding is needed. Games aren't supplying 6 channels of sound across a digital connection. The most you could hope for is 6 seperate channels out through analog connections, which I'm not aware of anyone (game developer) doing this. Haven't checked though. There's a big difference from encoding to DD and just seperating channels and sending out sound. It's like the difference between ProLogic and DD.

The DD encoding on the Nforce2 can be done for ALL games. Exactely like the Xbox.

I've got both sitting right here in two seperate boxes. The Nforce2 with DD encoding out to my stereo is far superior to anything else I've heard for games.

 

[Sideswipe001]

What kind of speakers do you need to use the digital on the nForce2?

 

[Soulkeeper]

thanks guys
also i was wondering which codec is better between the realtek and the c-media ???

 

[cHr0nIc]

Thats easy, C-media has the better codec. But the Realtek ALC650 is the most common of the two, and quite a capable codec in it's own right. Don't bother with trying to get one over the other though. If your gonna use the Digital out to get your sound, your just getting the it directly from the Soundstorm chip, it doesn't go though the softwear codec.

 

[Soulkeeper]

These are the 4 point speakers i am gonna be using i'm not sure if they support the digital input

 

[cHr0nIc]

Uh, I hope you've had those for years and aren't planning on buying those know. If you are looking to puchase the Cambridge SoundWorks CSW PCWorks FourPointSurround (long name, isn't it? ) now, don't their outdated. There are a lot of better sound systems then that now-a-days. If your on a budget try the Creative Inspire 5200 or the Logitech Z-640, their both (Analog) 5.1 speaker systems, and cost ~$80 - $100. Plus they will sound better then what your looking at. The only thing about analog sound systems and nForce/nForce 2 audio, is that they won't/can't take advantage of Soundstorm. You must have a true digital sound system, like the Z-680 from Logitech or the GMX 5.1 from Klipsh, to use Soundstorm.

 

[Dug]

cHr0nIc is right.
Those speakers are not a 5.1 setup like you mentioned in your first post.
In that case you can skip using the DD encoding of the nforce as it won't take it. You would be better off using analog outs and selecting eax in games.

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: Dug

Originally posted by: BoomAM

Originally posted by: Dug
He is also asking about a 5.1 setup.

The creative cards CAN NOT encode to DD thus not able to do true 5.1
Which I find superior to any EAX implement.

So the only choice is Nforce.

5.1 encoding is not needed for "true 5.1" sound. As long as the card has the capability to seperate each channel from on another and direct it to the right speaker, then it will be 5.1.
Despite what alot of you guys/gals think the SoundStorm aint as good as alot of you think.

Ummm, yes DD encoding is needed. Games aren't supplying 6 channels of sound across a digital connection. The most you could hope for is 6 seperate channels out through analog connections, which I'm not aware of anyone (game developer) doing this. Haven't checked though. There's a big difference from encoding to DD and just seperating channels and sending out sound. It's like the difference between ProLogic and DD.

The DD encoding on the Nforce2 can be done for ALL games. Exactely like the Xbox.

I've got both sitting right here in two seperate boxes. The Nforce2 with DD encoding out to my stereo is far superior to anything else I've heard for games.

For 5.1 sound you either need 6 discrete analog outputs or a single digital cable with an encoded digital stream on it such as DD 5.1 or DTS. Games do not make use of all 5.1 channels yet, but the soundstorm is able to encode the sounds from a game using a multi-channel API (such as EAX) into dolby digital and send it out across the digital line. In addition it is able to "create" center and subwoofer channels to make 4 point sound into 5.1. No other soundcard/chip can do this, which is just one reason I went with the Soundstorm.

Alternatively, hook up the 6 discrete analog lines from your Audigy, Soundstorm, Santa Cruz, etc. to a speaker set or receiver with this capability and enjoy 5.1 sound. In this case, it's not truly "Dolby Digital 5.1" unless it was decoded by the soundcard from a DD 5.1 source such as a DVD or a 5.1 AC3 file. Some people believe the 6 discrete analog outputs are superior to the digital stream encoded by the Soundstorm because Dolby Digital uses a lossy compression algorithm and therefore cannot be as accurate as analog. However, since the signal is digital until it gets to your decoder (receiver, Z680s, Cambridge Desktop Theater) there is virtually no noise or signal degradation along the line. Plus, you only have one cable running to your amp instead of 6.

 

[BoomAM]

For 5.1 sound you either need 6 discrete analog outputs or a single digital cable with an encoded digital stream on it such as DD 5.1 or DTS.

So 5.1 is available on normal sound cards. Like i said.

Games do not make use of all 5.1 channels yet,

Games are starting to. Rumors are that; HL2, DX2, D3 and DNF are going to be 5.1 games.

In addition it is able to "create" center and subwoofer channels to make 4 point sound into 5.1. No other soundcard/chip can do this, which is just one reason I went with the Soundstorm.

The Audigy 1 & 2 do this. It can make the center and sub woofer channels from a 4 point source, just like the soundstorm.

Alternatively, hook up the 6 discrete analog lines from your Audigy, Soundstorm, Santa Cruz, etc. to a speaker set or receiver with this capability and enjoy 5.1 sound. In this case, it's not truly "Dolby Digital 5.1" unless it was decoded by the soundcard from a DD 5.1 source such as a DVD or a 5.1 AC3 file.

Audigy 1 & 2, and Live5.1s can decode the DD & DTS stream via its drivers, by the host CPU.

Some people believe the 6 discrete analog outputs are superior to the digital stream encoded by the Soundstorm because Dolby Digital uses a lossy compression algorithm and therefore cannot be as accurate as analog.

I dont know about others, but in 90% of cases, Digital is better than Analogue. There is that 10% where digital cant compare to analogue though. For example on console controllers.

Plus, you only have one cable running to your amp instead of 6.

You mean 3 cables. On PCs anyway.
The Front L/R are combined into one cable.
The Rear L/R is combined into one cable.
And the Subwoofer and Center Channel is combined into one cable.

 

[Soulkeeper]

yeah i've had them for years
payed 100bucks for them in 99 and 100 bucks for my sound blaster live! 5.1 gamer
their still good tho
so yeah i'll prob be happy with either sound then since my speakers are older

thanks all

 

[beatle]

Oops, 3 not 6 cables, you know what I mean. As far as creating the center and sub channels, I forgot to add on that the resulting stream is then encoded into Dolby 5.1 to be carried over a digital cable, which is exclusive to the Soundstorm.

In the digital vs. analog debate, I agree that digital is better, especially when you send your signal to a superior DAC such as that on a good receiver. Some people just prefer analog. Where's Pariah?

 

[ethebubbeth]

i noticed both a huge increase and speed and sound quality when i switched from my soundlbaster live to the onboard soundstorm audion on my a7n8x deluxe, although your mileage for sound quality will vary depending on the codec on the board. However my average framerate while playing ut2k3 went up about 10fps