POLL: are you fedup with onboard cr@p?

[Inept]

I'm really happy with the sound that came on my mobo. Seems better than the Live! I had before in terms of sound quality and it doesn't utilize any CPU time as near as I can tell. Motherboards are cheaper now than ever before, so you can hardly complain about paying more money for features you don't use. Don't need it, disable it! I think onboard LAN, RAID, USB2.0, Firewire, sound, etc. are great when properly executed. Onboard VGA's useless for people like us, but for the mainstream market it can mean a very low price on a computer that may never see any use other than Office applications and Internet surfing.

 

[kadajawi]

better than a live? Now thats not hard, but still quite interesting Which sound chip would that be?

 

[kadajawi]

(ooops... double post)

 

[CaptnKirk]

Don't want the onboards, I'll pick my own poison.
But.....the Abit Max2's are pretty tempting with the LAN, Firewire, and USB 2.0
Still don't care for the built in sound though.

 

[CrazySaint]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
Don't want the onboards, I'll pick my own poison.
But.....the Abit Max2's are pretty tempting with the LAN, Firewire, and USB 2.0
Still don't care for the built in sound though.

What does the onboard sound hurt, though? If you don't like it, you can turn it off. It certainly doesn't hurt your overclock - I'm typing this from a 1.8A@2.7GHz/DDR400 on a P4B533-V using onboard C-Media sound

 

[CaptnKirk]

Well, let's see - how about a Creative Labs Audigy set up as an entertainment center, with the Digital/Analog Interface through a Pioneer Stereo and a A-I-W 8500DV tuner.
Why would I bother buying something that I was just going to turn off.

I do find that a lot of BoxFactories can cut production costs by just offering as much onboard as possible, and if you want to add any quality PCI equipment, you end up
turning off the built-in - but there are sometimes configuration problems. Don't get me wrong, there are places for built-in perferials, like business workstations where
video is not a real high demand requirement (Obviously not a Graphics, Stereo Lithography, or CAD system) and earphones are all the listening you are allowed.
Entry level and School computers are also valid applications.

Where I work the place is literally littered with HP 'Toaster' work stations running 1.7GB Pent-4's and I do mean littered. Intel's built-in cheap crap has a horrendously
high failure rate. Massive system crashes and onboard failures - my experience with them pushed me to AMD with NO ONBOARDS.
I consider the HP 'Toaster' workstation to be a disposable item.

 

[DukeChestnut]

i concur... well said cap'n

 

[kadajawi]

Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
like business workstations where
video is not a real high demand requirement (Obviously not a Graphics, Stereo Lithography, or CAD system) and earphones are all the listening you are allowed.
Entry level and School computers are also valid applications.

Wouldn't say that... on a workstation I would prefer some Matrox vid cards... G400 e.g. if you use it with a huge monitor. Wouldn't trust onboard stuff in that case. And don't say anything bad about headphones (some earphones are not bad either, tho I doubt you meant earphones). My SB16 sounded not bad when connected to my speakers (which are not that bad except the fact that they are mono ), but after trying it with my new headphones (75?) I imediately went to buy a SB Live (finally after 7 years). They can kick ... out of most speaker-sets at a higher price... ok... 'bit off-topic I guess

 

[CaptnKirk]

My pre-qualification to 'Workstation' excluded any performance graphics requirements, I was alluding to the 'Office' environment where all that graphics need to support is word processing, spreadsheets, and minimal powerpoint presentations. Very few large companies that buy 1,000 or more computer systems for their production operations are going to pop for any graphics card that is going to cost much. Do you think it's cost effectiove to tie up $ 300,000 in graphics cards for text writing ? Maybe $ 45,000 for the bulk of the systems, and a minimal amount of graphics terminals with the performance video, but controlled issue of equipment.
They also won't spring for LCD's except for areas where product displays are made centerpeices.

Headphone or earphones are 'Out-of-pocket' where I work, speaker sets not allowed. Some are good, some are 'Tin' but it's in the pocket depth of the beholder. Some times a good set of headphones is nice - but usually so you aren't disturbed by others, or that you don't disturb them. Try turning up the sound on your computer game while others are watching the Superbowl. ( Joke - yeah right ! )

 

[kadajawi]

well, it depends on the workstations. If its just a 17" cheapo workstation... but if its a "higher class" workstation... good screen, "important" workers I can imagine using a good 2D card.

Ok, it really depends on the headphones. Mine are so that I can listen to music etc. without disturbing anyone (ok, they can get so loud that they disturb others too, but... eh, nm ) Playing during the superbowl... naw... too tired at that time. And then the people over here aren't that crazy about the superbowl anyway

 

[THUGSROOK]

bump!

 

[gonzo2k]

Just bought an Asus P4PE/R/GBL/F/SATA/Blender/Microwave/Toaster/Broiler/DeepFryer/Refrigerator/CanOpener/Corkscrew/GinzuKnife motherboard.
Not gonna use the "kitchen sink" module 'cause I don't watercool!

 

[THUGSROOK]

LMAO!

they also make a version w/o SATA and it only comes with....
P4PE/R/GBL/F/Blender/Microwave/Toaster/Broiler/DeepFryer/Refrigerator/CanOpener/Corkscrew/GinzuKnife

the toaster can still be used in RAID mode tho, and of course is compatable with bagels.