on board sound vs. sound blaster live card??

[githanis]

I just installed a KT400 soyo dragon platnum motherboard into my computer, and am now wondering if I should install my sound blaster live gamer back in. Its not a 5.1 or anything like that, its just the sound blaster liver gamer 16 bit with 3d sound. Is that better though than the on board sound that came with my new soyo dragon kt400 plat?

 

[tennesota]

Doesn't that board have the C-Media CMI8738 audio? I would use the on-board sound vs. the SB Live.

 

[Vette73]

I also like the C-Media chip. Just go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com and get the newwest drivers.

 

[githanis]

Yes it is the CMI8738. Sounds like it is better than my sound blaster live gamer then. I play a lot of games on my puter, does that make any difference? Also I have a TV tuner card, which need to have a wire go from the sound card to the TV tuner card, which the on board only has 1 in and 1 out......any idea's??

 

[KiltedFool]

How would this on board sound compare to the 5.1 SB Live, specifically does it have an SPDIF out for my 4.1 digital surround speakers?

Considering what board to go to and debating whether the 5.1 SB Live is going to be making the trip.

KF

 

[holdencommodore]

I agree, use the C-media. It supports EAX 1, 2, A3D 1, I3DLevel2 through the Sensaura 3D API. The only thing with the CMI chips is that the CPU usage is high, as it is a HSP and not a full DSP. Under most conditions, the difference it not visible at all.

Make sure the motherboard can make use of it's SPDIF In/Out functions.

The TV Tuner card will require to go to the Line in on the soundcard. This could be a problem if you are using the onboard solution with 5.1 speakers, as the card will assign the Microphone and Line In to the Rear out and Center/LFE.

Cheers