CPU usage with On Board Sound`

  • Thread starter Thread starter newsreader
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Does a CPU work harder with an on board sound card, rather than a PCI one?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily but usually. Depends on the way it's
implemented, some have hardware support in southbridge,
older boards may have same sound chip found on some sound
cards. Generally speaking the difference isn't much,
especially not if you're only using 2 channel instead of
4.1,5.1, etc. Also not all PCI sound cards have same
utilization, for example CMI 87xx series is worse than some,
so basically you have to consider/contrast two SPECIFIC
alternatives, not just "onboard or PCI".
 
Yes. The CPU has to do 100% of the audio signal processing when you have
onboard sound.
 
Uhm.. No.

Depends on the sound chip, etc... I doubt that the CPU does a lot of the
work for the onboard sound of an NVidia chipset.

Try the onboard sound... When you aren't happy with it, then go out and get
a PCI soundcard. Remember that LOTS of soundcards out there also need the
CPU to do a lot of the work. (Also avoid anything made by Creative)

DaveW said:
Yes. The CPU has to do 100% of the audio signal processing when you have
onboard sound.
Click to expand...
one?
 
Noozer said:
Try the onboard sound... When you aren't happy with it, then go out and get
a PCI soundcard. Remember that LOTS of soundcards out there also need the
CPU to do a lot of the work. (Also avoid anything made by Creative)
Click to expand...

Noozer,

I am shopping for a new sound card and I would like to know why avoid
creative. Is turtle beach still around? Thanks.
 
I am shopping for a new sound card and I would like to know why avoid
creative. ... Thanks.
Click to expand...

I second this request. Also, what are good alternatives to Creative?

TIA
 
newsreader said:
Does a CPU work harder with an on board sound card, rather than a PCI one?
Click to expand...

I don't see why the location of the sound processing chip (PCI card or part
of motherboard) would make any difference to the CPU effort. Different sound
chips might require different amounts of processor input, but built-in
versus PCI card is surely irrelevant?
 
I second this request. Also, what are good alternatives to Creative?

TIA
Click to expand...

I've used creative cards for years.Never had a problem.Still using an
old PCI 128 as it's so damn good and simple.I have an old 5.1 digital
that does a good job as well.
My 10 penn'th




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Thanks, I had been doing some reading on the topic, and one article
mentioned cpu usage with on board sound chips, everyone recommended Creative
for their on board processors that relieved the cpu from spending too much
time on generating the power for sound. I had a turtle beach once, and it
was a nice card....
 
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