Audigy 2 PCI vs. on-board ALC882M (1 Viewer)

[NLS]

This is not related to my HTPC, but close enough.

I am building a new PC (D940 on a P5WD2-E Prem) and I can either use its hi-tech on-board Realtek ALC882M or use my old (but once very high-end) Audigy2.

More data:

- I heard that a PCI solution is always better than on-board, concerning CPU usage. Is it true? (in my case).

- I have Creative 6.1 speakers installed already in the room, so PROBABLY using the Audigy2 would be more problem-free since Creative has one of the connectors differently configured (subwoofer <-> center). I THINK ALC882M (which also is jack-sensing) probably can solve this but I don't know before I install.

- I think ALC882M is a "stronger" audio solution (and definately newer than Audigy2).

- The card is a pure first-gen Audigy2 (not the 2nd-gen Audigy2 value or whatever came after). The board looks like Audigy2 ZS.

What should I do? Help!

(my Audigy2 would go to my HEPC and replace the on-board 7.1 solution, but since it doesn't have optical out, only coaxial for which I don't have a cable, probably kills it)

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=205&product=4915&nav=2

http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/products1-2.aspx?modelid=2005041

 

[gxtracker]

I heard that a PCI solution is always better than on-board, concerning CPU usage. Is it true? (in my case).

This was true way back when, but today with HD audio codecs like the Realtek 88x series, that statement is becoming less and less true. There would be a performance improvement if you used the Audigy2 with an app that uses EAX3, only because the Audigy2 can perform EAX3 in hardware, while I believe the ALC88x series can only do up to EAX2 in hardware.

I have Creative 6.1 speakers installed already in the room, so PROBABLY using the Audigy2 would be more problem-free since Creative has one of the connectors differently configured (subwoofer <-> center). I THINK ALC882M (which also is jack-sensing) probably can solve this but I don't know before I install.

I dont see this as a problem, since the requirement for HD audio today is to support 7.1 audio - anything certified to HDA should support your 6.1 setup

I think ALC882M is a "stronger" audio solution (and definately newer than Audigy2).

Define "stronger"? The Audigy2 will probably provide you with a better db/noise ratio, but IMHO the difference wouldn't be enough to justify an extra card and drivers in my computer.

My oppinion; if you're not into home-made music producing and mixing, and the new system you're building will be used for work/gaming/surfing/etc... then the ALC882 will be just fine for your use.

Audio systems today are much more standardized then they were even a few years ago, so the difference between comparable audio solutions is very close.

 

[NLS]

thanks man

 

[Olyrous]

PCI soundcards have the advantage over on-board solutions in that they are less susceptible to noise induced by motherboard electronics. For example, during heavy hard disk activity (e.g. extendend searches, defragmentation etc.) I personally used to get noise through my headphones and speakers at mid-to-high volumes (the noise obviously still existed at low volumes but it was too low to hear it) that it was like hearing my hdd seeking through my audio equipment.
This is not anymore since I installed my soundcard.
You can do the following: start a defragmentation on a heavily fragmented hdd and check if you hear any noise throughout the process from your audio equipment like I did. If you do, you might want to consider using a pci soundcard and if you do not, you have an exceptional on-board audio implementation.

DEN PROSEKSA OTI EISAI ELLINAS. Geia hara! Kai ego apo ellada. Thessaloniki

 

[NLS]

kalos ton

I don't think current on-board soundcards have that problem any more

more filters and regulators are used nowadays