Soundstorm worth having?

[Darkhawk28]

I have the following speakers.....

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=36-113-126&depa=1§ion=3


Will these speakers even use the Soundstorm technology? I've heard that these might not be able to (analog vs. digital issue). If not, then I'll rethink my purchase of the Abit NF7-S or A7N8X-Deluxe.

If it CAN use the Soundstorm technology, is their that much of a difference, between the Soundstorm chip and other on-board 5.1 chips?

Thx guys.

Edit: Oh btw, the only reason I bought those speakers was because about a year ago I found them on super-clearance at Target B&M for $25.

 

[Schadenfroh]

you only get soundstorm if you use the digital out, otherwise its that crappy realtek, i wish i knew that before buying it

 

[Vette73]

^


true AND false.

TRUE your quality of output is limited by the codec.

FALSE Soundstorm, even using the analog output, will take some work from the CPU and handle it.


I had a Abit NF7-S and liked it alot. Hardware sound, even if analog output is being use, is still better then 100% AC97 output.

 

[MDE]

The NF7-S's onboard sound is very good, and the A7N8X's isn't too bad, but not as clear or loud as the Abit's.

 

[larciel]

onboard sound came a LONG way,

but still there's a reason why it's called 'onboard' .. not much of broad options are available on onboard stuff

 

[Mem]

you only get soundstorm if you use the digital out, otherwise its that crappy realtek, i wish i knew that before buying it

True,however I was surprised by the sound quality even in analogue mode on my DFI NF2 Infinity Ultra board,infact I`m not going to bother installing my Audigy card,nForce sound quality does depend on your ears,speakers and the quality of the board in question.Using digital mode will give you the best sound option if your speakers support digital mode.

 

[Algere]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=36-113-126&depa=1§ion=3

Linky no workie

 

[Elcs]

The biggest problem with digital for me is the fact that I need a converter. The £30-40 it will cost to get a converter and leads isnt worth the increase in sound quality, although Ive never heard digital Vs. analogue from my NF7-S.

 

[Darkhawk28]

Let's try this linky....

Altec Lansing 251 5.1 Speakers

 

[WobbleWobble]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
you only get soundstorm if you use the digital out, otherwise its that crappy realtek, i wish i knew that before buying it

Same here. The SoundMax codecs that many Intel boards have I think sound better using analog. Sure, SoundStorm lowers CPU usage, but the difference is negligable with CPUs as fast as they are nowadays.