Onboard Audio - the wise route?

[Fionavar]

I am considering the ASUS P4G8X as my next mobo and the Deluxe comes with onboard audio - Realtek ALC650. I know nothing about this topic and can find nothing useful with a google search. I still use a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live Value and I am wondering if the onboard solution is a good route - pros and cons and any links to reviews and discussions in this regard would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ahead of time - peace.

 

[Peter]

Ah no, not THAT question again ... please use the Search function to find the manier discussions on this very topic.

 

[Mikki]

the wise route? It's the only route mate! hehe...sorry, just a little venting about manufacturers putting a bunch of cr@p on their boards....:|

anyhoo, you can always disable it and use your card if ya want. The C-Media chip on my board sounded just as good as my Live! card, so I just left it.

 

[mechBgon]

As I understand it, the onboard Realtek chip gets the audio output from the MCP-T to the rear jacks. It's like the FedEx truck between you and Newegg, sort of The nForce sound is quite good but you should be able to disable it if you want to.

 

[BeaverTooth]

Your right mechBgon about how the nForce2 mobos work, but we are talking about the P4G8X which is based on Intel's Granite Bay chipset. From what I have heard your SB live! would be better than the onboard Realtek solution, and I am sure you can disable it if you want via the bios or jumper.

 

[Fionavar]

Thanks all for your input - I did in fact do a search, but there was nothing much specific as to tech rather than opinions. Which is fine, but since I have no idea about this area - which I find really does not have a lot of coverage anywhere (I would love to see a round-up of audio differences and options). So why bother with integrated audio if it is no good? What are the CPU loads like compared with an add on card and integrated? Sheesh I really do believe audio is one of those areas that just gets looked over Again thanks.

 

[Mem]

Onboard sound varys in quality and CPU usage,some are very good while others are poor,in the end it`s your ears that will decide what`s best sound wise.I would try the onboard sound and listen to how good it sounds then driver and gaming performance would be next on my list,in the end you`ve your old SB Live as backup so can`t lose eitherway.