Onboard sound and Digital output question

[Vette73]

I have a board that has the Realtek 658 highend AC97 sound chip. I know with soundstorm the digital output increases the quality greatly. How much, if any would I get by using the Optical output of the 658 only chip?

Also are there any GOOD reviews of the 658, VIA Envy, creative, etc....????

 

[beatle]

I'm not sure if the onboard sound of my IS7 uses the 658 or not (can't remember) but the optical out was lightyears better than the analog out. There's no interference or signal loss over an optical cable, so the signal stays strong.

 

[Amorphus]

the reason digital-out increases quality is because it bypasses the AC'97 audio decoded (the digital to analog convertor, or DAC).

AC'97 is not the best, by far, and when using a DAC with the optical-out, you are essentially replacing the AC'97 with your digital decoder of choice.

 

[Vette73]

Will the digital out reduce CPU useage or be about the same?

Not really worried but just curious

 

[Auric]

I would think digital would use less CPU, especially sans effects and for AC3.

 

[RAIDeon]

would the digital out still work if AC'97 is disabled from the BIOS?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: RAIDeon
would the digital out still work if AC'97 is disabled from the BIOS?

I don't think so as the Digital out goes through, or comes out, the AC97 chip.

Thats wahy I was whondering how much CPU would be used, or saved, by using the Digital out?