"silient1" said:
Paul,
Wow, excellent information. Now I just have to spend my 4th of July
weekend researching everything you mentioned
Fot starters, his video card is ATI 9600XT, and I confirmed that there
is only (1) 512MB stick.
So he would need another stick to take advantage of the dual-threading.
If we go with the motherboard, does the onboard sound ( need 5.1 ) take
less resources that his (very) recently purchased Audigy2 ZS Platinum.
He's running Kipsch DMX D-5.1 speakers which inclue thier own digital
encoder. Problem is that it turns out that I can't use the optical or
SPDIF outputs of the card ( seems to be proprietary for Creative ).
(see link for info i was provided)
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]
I'd like to get a board that has has the nVidia Soundstream ( I think )
or somthing comparable.
So I guess my request is... Suggestions for an 800FSB dual channel MB
with onboard nVidia Soundstream or equivilent.
He does like the input capabilities of the Audigy2, because he can input
his guitar and record, but he's still considering his options.
I may need to start a new thread but await any responses...
Thanks Paul - you were a great help.
Devon
<<snip>>
First of all, dual channel matching varies between chipsets. For
example, dual channel on Intel requires the second stick to use the
same width of chips ( say (16) 32Mx8 chips on each module ). If
you go AMD/Nforce2, the matching is a bit more relaxed, and there
you more or less match the size of modules, as you could have x8
chips on one module, and x16 on another module. Matching orphan
modules takes a little more research, as every chipset family will
be a little different.
I don't know if I would steer my computer purchase, around a choice
of sound chips. For example, I would think the analog output of
the Audigy would blow away any motherboard sound chip, and if I
had an Audigy in my possession, the connectors on the motherboard
would never get used
The trick with the SPDIF output, is it is basically stereo, as you've
discovered. There is some option, to reduce the number of bits
per audio sample, and make four channels, but I haven't read of
any hardware that uses that option.
To send five channels, over a two channel interface, requires a
coding scheme. There is a patent on the AC3 method, owned by Dolby
Labs, and a device or program that does encoding, owes Dolby Labs
a license fee for the right to use the method. I think if you have
a DVD, for example, and it has AC3 encoded output, that can flow
straight through your existing hardware path to your stereo, and
you should hear five channels. In that case, the company making the
DVD paid for the right to encode AC3 in the tracks on the DVD, and
your motherboard is a "straight wire" to the stereo. So, anyone
should be able to enjoy a DVD that way via SPDIF.
The Nforce2 chipset, with the MCP-T Southbridge, has a DSP block,
and as far as I know, Nvidia has licensed the right to encode
AC3, to be sent over the SPDIF. That means the MCP-T can encode
an unencoded source and send that. You may want to verify this on
the Nvidia web site. (I don't know why a software program couldn't
do this with any SPDIF device though - barring delay issues.)
nForceAudioControl.pdf manual from Nvidia
http://www.nvidia.com/object/LO_20021002_6443.html
APU_TechBrief_71502.pdf (Soundstorm feature set)
http://www.nvidia.com/object/LO_20020712_6735.html
Soundstorm is available on the A7N8X Deluxe or the A7N8X-E Deluxe
(the -E is the one you'll currently find in shops). These boards
have the MCP-T Southbridge on them. ($99 at Newegg)
You'll need an AthlonXP to go with it. Here is a summary of models:
http://www.qdi.nl/support/CPUQDISocketA.htm
First up, a 2500+ FSB333 Barton ($80). People overclock these routinely
to FSB400. They are multiplier locked, so playing with the FSB is the
only adjustment. With your current PC2700 DIMM, that would operate
at 1:1 at stock speed. If you overclock the FSB, then the memory
bus will have to run slower (83% setting). If you get memory errors
in memtest86, you can move the two DIMMs onto one channel, which will
fix it. If it behaves itself, you can run dual channel, with one
DIMM on each channel. (There are three DIMM slots, two on one channel
and one on the other channel.) When overclocked, this processor runs
at 1833MHz x 400/333 = 2200MHz, equivalent to Barton 3200+.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=0
If you buy an actual Barton 3200+ FSB400, expect to fork out $187.
That is the attraction of overclocking the 2500+.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-390&depa=0
Finally, some people have been using the AthlonXP-M mobile processors.
These are multiplier unlocked, due to the Powernow heat management feature.
Overclocking to more than 2200MHz is possible with these processors,
as long as you have good ram to experiment with. It looks like the
Mobile 2600+ FSB266 for $95 (OEM - no heatsink/fan) can easily do
200x12, which is faster than the Barton 3200+. Since AMD boards
make great gaming platforms, your $200 will go a lot farther than
with Intel. (Note: 200x12 means 200Mhz clock fed to processor, causing
FSB400 transfer rates to Northbridge. The multiplier applies to the
clock and not the FSB value. It is easy to get confused...)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...=&maxprice=&mfrcode=1028&DEPA=0&InnerCata=343
Consult cpudatabase.com for overclocking statistics.
If I didn't have to control my compulsion for upgrading, I'd buy one
of these myself
Visit the forums of nforcershq.com for more info on doing
stuff with Nforce2.
Paul
