Which Sound Card/Chip is Better?

[Fishmonger]

Hello,

I'm putting a couple of computers together, and I'm wondering how these 3 different sound chips rank:

1. AC97 Revision 2.1 (VT82C686A)
2. C-Media HW CMI87383D
3. Regular Sound Blaster 16 PCI card

Any help would be appreciated, thank you very much.

 

[Kingofcomputer]

I'd put them in this order
C-Media 8738 > AC97 from 686 > SB 16 PCI
> is better than

 

[InFecTed]

C-Media HW CMI87383D->Regular Sound Blaster 16 PCI card->AC97
Just stay away from AC97 and you will be fine