Realtek v audigy

  • Thread starter Thread starter Geezer
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Geezer

I have just bought a new system and it comes with realtek ac 97 sound. My
old computer has an audigy(1) would I be better off putting this in or is
the real tek just as good (i think it comes on the motherboard a8v Asus)
 
I run AC97 on 2 comps both having it built into the MOBO's

My Dell M60 notebook runs Windows Media Player and Foxconn Motherboarded
desktop runs MusicMatch Jukebox Plus.

In both cases its very good sound.......well to my ears anyway
 
Geezer said:
I have just bought a new system and it comes with realtek ac 97 sound. My
old computer has an audigy(1) would I be better off putting this in or is
the real tek just as good (i think it comes on the motherboard a8v Asus)
Click to expand...

If you play games, the Audigy will give higher frame rates.
 
Geezer said:
Thanks Derek, but why is that?
Click to expand...

The Audigy has a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that handles the sound
processing, the Realtek relies upon the CPU for that.
 
I have just bought a new system and it comes with realtek ac 97 sound. My
old computer has an audigy(1) would I be better off putting this in or is
the real tek just as good (i think it comes on the motherboard a8v Asus)
Click to expand...


What specific uses (in audio terms, not applications)?

For example, digital or analog output?
Gaming or general use?

For most uses the two will be similar, the Audigy a little
better for analog out. Perhaps more importantly it will
have better filter circuitry which cuts down on system noise
on analog I/O. If you're just listening to windows' midi
sounds on small computer speakers it wouldn't make much
difference either way, except the audigy will help with game
framerates as already mentioned by Derek... though that's
with surround effects, in a 2-dimensional-audio game
(regardless of whether game is 2D or 3D) there should be
little to no difference.
 
I have just bought a new system and it comes with realtek ac 97 sound. My
old computer has an audigy(1) would I be better off putting this in or is
the real tek just as good (i think it comes on the motherboard a8v Asus)
Click to expand...

Audio quality of the Realtek is pretty good, *but* like most of the
newer crop of audio chipsets, a lot of its functions are done in
software. The audigy's sound quality is better (at least to my ears),
but not THAT much better. If you're not into games and want to save a
slot, it might be an option. HOWEVER, if you play any games at all,
or intend to, put in the audigy. The Realtek audio chipset really
does suck down a lot of CPU horsepower.
 
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