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Audio Performance

We limited audio testing to the Rightmark 3D Sound version 2.1 CPU utilization test and tested with sound enabled to show the performance effects on several games. The Rightmark 3D Sound benchmark measures the overhead or CPU utilization required by a codec or hardware audio chip.

As you can see, none of the onboard audio solutions were quite as low overall in CPU utilization as the Creative Audigy 2ZS solution. The Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe uses the Realtek ALC850 AC97 codec while the Intel based systems utilize the Realtek High Definition Audio ALC880 and ALC882m codec's. The current Realtek HD R1.26 driver release limits the 3D sound buffers to a maximum of 32. The revised R1.26 driver release reduced CPU utilization by up to 38% compared to the R1.20 release that was originally tested utilizing the ALC882m on the Gigabyte GA-8I955x Royal.

The Battlefield 2 numbers are very interesting as the Realtek ALC850 audio solution creates a 12% loss in frame rates. Compare this a to 67% loss when utilizing the Realtek ALC88x audio solution in this highly popular on-line game in which sound is as critical as frame rates. We tested the results several times and came to the same conclusion each time after the benchmarks were completed. We have added 640x480 scores to reduce CPU and GPU utilization with the numbers still reflecting a 55% decrease in frame rates. We will be further investigating this issue in the near future as the results are not as dramatic in other games. Splinter Cell Chaos Theory has an average loss of 10%, Wolfenstein Enemy Territory at 10%, UT2004 at 29%, and F.E.A.R. at 8%. Obviously, if you are a serious gamer, then a dedicated sound card is a requirement to ensure frame rate averages across a wide variety of games. We will be reviewing additional sound card results in our next article.

While the Realtek ALC850 codec offers acceptable CPU usage and sound for most office applications or Internet based flash games, it is not competitive in audio quality with the ALC88x on-board audio solutions. In fact, the ALC88x audio solution displayed excellent sound characteristics in music, video, and games throughout our testing and should seriously be considered as the main audio component in a value based system if gaming is not your top priority. Specifications for the Realtek ALC88x audio family can be located here .