Anyone with an Asus K7(V) please read

[INFERNO2000 0]

Just got a quick question:

 

I've got a Creative Labs SB Live! X-Gamer...but I just found out that the Asus K7V I just bought comes with an onboard Soundcard.

 

I'm wondering about the quality of this soundcard....

 

My sound system is this: Headphones and Logitech Soundman G1 powered speakers.

 

Would I be best off sending back the X-Gamer, and saving about $100 and staying with the onboard sound, or would I be much better off with the X-Gamer.

 

I run Windows 2000.

[NEO^ 0]

Morning Inferno!=)

 

I would keep the SB. I have the smae MOBO but I ain't using the onboard sound. Dunno the quality of it though since i never tested it. I asked the same question that u are asking now b4 i bought the MOBO and ppl said that I should buy the SB Live and use that instead. That since "on board sound" is never as good... =)

 

Hope that helped ya =)

[DrSchmoe 0]

This solely depends on how much you value quality sound or require EAX (Creative's D3D variation).

 

In most instances on board sound is generally decent. However, no offence, but your speakers aren't of the level to distinguish output quality between onboard, and an add-in card.

 

The decision to keep your SB Live rests largely on the quality of your headphones. If your headphones >$40, then the SB Live would deliver noticeably cleaner audio, otherwise, stick with onboard sound.

 

Honestly, it might be in your better interests to take back the Live and invest in a better set of speakers.

 

Although, the problem with *all* (and I do mean *all*) computer speakers is that they are of a lower quality than typical home audio equipment. It is a long argument, and I don't feel like typing it, but take my word for it.

 

Generally though, you will get the best audio performance from a company who creates products primary for the home audio market (i.e. JBL, Klipsch, etc).

 

Another thing to consider is that the Athlon platform is more prone to hardware conflicts. Specifically, there have been incidents of NVidia users having problems (mostly GeForce 1), and some problems with the SB Live line of audio cards (mostly popping during DirectSound streams). Aureal was worse off, but most people are trading up to Lives' since the demise of Aureal.

 

For this reason, it is advantageous to use the onboard audio since it has been extensively tested and less prone to random problems (although much less feature rich).

 

I hope this helps...

[gramaglia 0]

try looking in the devices tree, and look how the soundcard is defined from the system, hopefully with a meaningful name, otherwise with some letters and numbers (I mean, if you find CT 1234, it is a creative Labs card, 1234 is invented... ).

Search the web for the name you find, and read the specifics....

Anyway, I would keep the SB Live!, I suspect the onboard sound card to be yamaha or a PCI 128 (Don't know if creative, but i don't think so...)

[INFERNO2000 0]

Headphones: Aiwa HP-X222. $30 at Best Buy.

 

as for the speakers, I have some JBL speakers that came with my Compaq...but they're both unpowered, and have no volume controls or on/off.

 

I don't need the high performance $100 speakers, since I'm in headphones...and these G1s give enough that I'd be happy fro quite a while.

 

I don't know if I've ever used DirectSound...all I tend to install as for manufacturer's software is their drivers...therefore, the Liveware3 program I'd probably go without...

 

I won't have the board until tomorrow, or the new case until Monday(assuming UPS is not lying to me)...so I can't test it immediately...But, according to Asus's specs

"AC ' 97 Audio Ready

Integrated AC ' 97 Compliant 3D Audio Controller

AD1881 3D Enhanced Codec

"

What does this tell me?

 

NEO^-does the onboard audio have a place for both headphones AND powered speakers? Also---if you're running Win2K(Which I'd naively assume), what problems have you had with your board?

 

 

 

------------------

BUILDING:

AMD Athlon 750 (Slot A)

Asus K7V Mobo

PNY 384 MB PC100 SDRAM

AT901 Case

CL SB Live! X-Gamer

CL GB Annhilator Pro

Windows 2000 Advanced Server

Logitech Itouch Pro

Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer

Everglide (HL Giganta)

Logitech Quickcam Home(listed as WEB)

Logitech Soundman G1 Speakers

Intel 21143 Ethernet Adapter

 

Linux System(To be built)

PIII 500 (Pre CuMine)

PNY 32MB RAM (subject to change)

I.S.O Video Card(ATI?)

Sonic Impact S90

Mandrake 7.0 or RedHat 6.2

I.S.O Ps2 Keyboard and Mouse

Compaq JBL Speakers

[INFERNO2000 0]

AS to the onboard soundcard, according to Anandtech,

"The K7V...features the Cirrus Logic CrystalClear SoundFusion CS4299 AC'97 codec that provides the CPU driven sound on-board."

 

It also goes on to say "...In terms of quality and performance, most AnandTech readers won't be too flattered by the integrated codec and will opt to use one of the three PCI slots for their own PCI sound card, but if this board is going to be the base for a second system then the integrated sound could save you a few bucks"

[NEO^ 0]

The onboard "soundcard" is Yamaha. Atleast you get a Yamaha certificate with the mobo. =) And Yamaha drivers to it to... And yes... There are both plugs on it. There always are.

 

And I had no probs what so ever with it. Or yeah I had. But that was before VIA released the new 4in1 drivers. If you install those Via 4in1 (4.23 or above, found at www.via.com.tw)drivers BEFORE you install anything else you should be ok. =)