Soundblaster Live Value vs Realtek ALC650

[Statman]

Ok I have an old Live Value that has been with me for a long time now and has served me well. My Asus A7N8X-X has a Realtek ALC650 audio CODEC. Should I stick with my tried and trusted Live Value or is the realtek codec much, much better? Any comparisons would be appreciated.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

SBLive is better and will use less CPU cycles.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Realtek ALC650 is just the codec.
It has to be paired with the motherboard chipset's built-in Nvidia sound engine to act as a sound card.
You want to compare the Nvidia sound engine with ALC650 codec to SB Live (Value).

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Hey King, good to see you still around here :beer: The A7N8X-X uses the MCP southbridge so no nV APU, it's strictly the Realtek audio solution being used I believe.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

The MCP has APU, Soundstorm is just an addition to the APU to offer 4/6 speakers support, SPDIF interface, H/W Dolby Digital Encode.

ALC650 is pure codec, similar to C-Media 9739.
Without APU inside the MCP or other southbridge or chipset, ALC650 can't do anything.

Earlier chipset or southbridge don't have APU, motherboard makers use C-Media 8738, which is complete audio chip, to offer integrated sound.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Nforce/Nforce2's basic APU has 256 Voices, 64 3D Voices, 32 HW-Submixers, DLS2, EQ, some effects, but only 2 speakers.
Its spec is comparable to SB Live Value 1st generation (4 speakers support, no SPDIF).

Nforce came to the market later than SB Live.
SB Live is over 4 years old, a very outdated product.
I'd dump the SB Live Value and use the Nforce2 built-in sound.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Originally posted by: Kingofcomputer
The MCP has APU, Soundstorm is just an addition to the APU to offer 4/6 speakers support, SPDIF interface, H/W Dolby Digital Encode.

Without APU inside the MCP/southbridge or whatever chipset, the motherboard cannot have integrated sound solution with codec only.

Good info, thanks king.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

Anyway, it's just the naming.
spec level: MCP, MCP-D, MCP-T.
marketing level: APU or Soundstorm.

 

[cd59]

A7N8X-X doesnt have soundstorm

 

[Kingofcomputer]

It still has nforce2 APU.

 

[koreanlemon]

Sorry King, I have to disagree with you. The vanilla MCP on the Nforce2 does NOT have an onboard APU. All processing is done by the ALC650 or other onboard codec. The MCP-T, however, does contain the APU. Here's Tom's Hardware:

Basically, the new MCP-T differs from the MCP in three aspects: the MCP-T offers an integrated FireWire controller and a second network controller, as well as NVIDIA's Audio Processing Unit (APU). And be careful to note that MCP has different meanings with the nForce and the nForce2. With the first nForce, the APU was included in the simple MCP, whereas with the nForce2, the MCP-T is required.

http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20020716/nforce2-06.html

This has implications for the MCP owner besides Dolby Digital encoding and SPDIF outputs. It also means that the Nvidia ASIO driver won't function, even though the drivers will be installed on the MCP system (it reports "hardware not present" when the user tries to open them).

The A7N8X-X has only the MCP. The A7N8X-Deluxe has the MCP-T.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

ALC650 is pure codec chip, it cannot do any processing.

Search "MCP" at nvidia.com:

Media and Communications Processor (MCP) [100%]
Part of the NVIDIA nForce and nForce2 platform processing architectures, the MCP replaces the ?Southbridge? of traditional motherboard architectures. The MCP (including the MCP-D and MCP-T) delivers the most complete suite of integrated networking and communications devices including Ethernet, HomePNA 2.0, IEEE-1394a/FireWire(R) port, and up to six USB ports. In addition, the integrated audio processing unit (APU) provides support for Dolby(R) Digital 5.1 encoding.
Last Updated: Mar 20, 2003

Audio Processing Unit (APU) [5%]
Integrated into the first- and second-generation nForce media and communications processors (MCP), the APU delivers unprecedented 3D positional audio to the PC platform.
Last Updated: May 20, 2003

 

[Kingofcomputer]

It clearly states that ALC650 requires audio controller from the chipset.

The ALC650 is an 18-bit, full duplex AC'97 2.2 compatible stereo audio CODEC designed for PC multimedia systems, including host/soft audio and AMR/CNR based designs. The ALC650 incorporates proprietary converter technology to achieve a high SNR, greater than 90 dB. The ALC650 AC'97 CODEC supports multiple CODEC extensions with independent variable sampling rates and built-in 3D effects. The ALC650 CODEC provides two pairs of stereo outputs with independent volume controls, a mono output, and multiple stereo and mono inputs, along with flexible mixing, gain and mute functions to provide a complete integrated audio solution for PCs. The digital interface circuitry of the ALC650 CODEC operates from a 5V/3.3V power supply with EAPD (External Amplifier Power Down) control for use in notebook and PC applications. The ALC650 integrates a 50mW/20ohm headset audio amplifier into the CODEC, which can save BOM costs. The ALC650 also supports an AC'97 2.2 compliant SPDIF out function which allows easy connection from the PC to consumer electronic products, such as AC3 decoder/speaker and mini disk. The ALC650 CODEC supports host/soft audio from Intel 810/815/820/845 chipsets as well as audio controller based VIA/SIS/ALI chipsets. Bundled Windows series drivers (Win95/98/ME/2000/XP/NT) and sound effect utilities (supporting Karaoke, emulation of 26 sound environments, and 5-band equalizer) provide a more comprehensive entertainment package for PC users. Finally, internal PLL circuits generate required timing signals, eliminating the need for external clocking devices.

 

[imported_static]

I have a soundblaster live platinum that I got a few years ago with a similar dilemma (same onboard audio stuff).

Should I stick with the SBlive plat or go with the newer onboard audio?

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: static
I have a soundblaster live platinum that I got a few years ago with a similar dilemma (same onboard audio stuff).

Should I stick with the SBlive plat or go with the newer onboard audio?

Hello and Welcome to AnandTech forums !
Listen to the onboard and if you don't like it..install your Creative../me happily listening thru a TBSC