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.

Audio Performance - Empty CPU - 32 Buffers

Audio Performance - 2d Audio - 32 Buffers

Audio Performance - DirectSound 3D HW - 32 Buffers

Audio Performance - DirectSound 3D EAX2 - 32 Buffers

As you can see, none of the onboard audio solutions were quite as low in CPU utilization as the Abit AudioMAX 7.1 solution. The Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe uses the "almost standard" Realtek ALC850 found in most high end NVIDIA AMD SLI systems. The current NVIDIA driver release limits the 3D sound buffers to a maximum of 48 compared to 25 with the RealTek drivers. It also indicates support for OpenAL with full EAX2 compatibility. However, Quake 4 refused to recognize the OpenAL support and would not allow sound in the game. The current RealTek A3.76 release does not include OpenAL support. We will be updating our test results for the RealTek ALC850 based boards with the newly released A3.78 drivers shortly and providing F.E.A.R. results.

Audio Performance - DirectSound 3D EAX - BattleField 2

Audio Performance - DirectSound 3D EAX - Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

Audio Performance - Wolfenstein - Enemy Territory - Radar Demo

The Battlefield 2 numbers are interesting as the Asus P5N32-SLI Deluxe implementation of the Realtek ALC850 sound solution creates a 12% loss in frame rates. This compares to 27% on the Gigabyte GA-8N SLI Quad in this highly popular on-line game in which sound is as critical as frame rates. Splinter Cell Chaos Theory has an acceptable loss of 6%, but Wolfenstein Enemy Territory loss is close to 13%. Obviously, if you are a serious gamer, then a dedicated sound card is a requirement and fortunately, the board had two PCI slots available.

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 MSI P4N Diamond or Gigabyte GA-8I955x on-board audio solutions.

We have finalized our expanded audio testing suite and will introduce this in the next review roundup.

Ethernet Performance Final Words
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  • Gary Key - Sunday, October 30, 2005 - link

    quote:

    Does this mean that all multipliers (up and down) are available again?


    Asus will be clarifying the supported range of CPUs with the Lock Free setting. I noticed a difference this weekend on the retail board and bios with a CPU stepping range I thought was fully supported. I know the EE series all work properly, the balance I am not sure of at this time.
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    It will allow you to go down to 14x only in my testing. I did not have an issue with the dual core cpus down to 14x or raising the 820D to 16x. However, I have a single core cpu coming and will verify the settings with it. Please email me so I can repsond to you directly.
  • Spacecomber - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    I think a more to the point intro would have been to ask whether a $250 motherboard can make up for the shortcomings in the current line of Intel desktop processors and make them more attractive to the computer enthusiast.

    Then again, maybe people who are sticking with their Prescotts really are dreamers.
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Good point and one that Intel finally understands but we will have to wait until next summer to see the results. :) However, this board does make up for some of the current Intel CPU shortcomings and is truly an enthusiast board for Intel customers.
  • tuteja1986 - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Asus were leader once and i think are going to take the leader crown again: )

    They have been getting good success with:
    Dual GPU 7800GTX
    Now This motherboard
    Also they are working on 7300 go

    Good work and keep it up
  • Bozo Galora - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    reads like an ad for asus
    who the hell would use a current Intel cpu?
    not the 80% of the people who come to AT
    I'll take the upcoming (delayed again) DFI NF4 Expert mobo, thank you
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    quote:

    reads like an ad for asus


    If it means anything, I purchased a pair of these boards after I completed the initial testing to replace a couple of systems in our household. I am that confident in the board and its ability.

    quote:

    who the hell would use a current Intel cpu?

    About 80%+ of the buying public currently although the numbers are greatly skewed in their favor by large OEM and Retail sales. Actually, the newer Intel products are decent performers at a good price point. However, I completly agree that AMD owns the performance market and should receive wider credit for their efforts over the past couple of years.

    quote:

    not the 80% of the people who come to AT

    Agreed, but sometimes it is good to visit the other side of the fence. A few short years ago your statements would have held true for people with AMD systems. ;-)

    quote:

    I'll take the upcoming (delayed again) DFI NF4 Expert mobo, thank you

    An excellent choice but while you are waiting you could purchase this board now. :-)



  • karioskasra - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    Dreams are made on an Intel platform? Did I miss something here...
  • Gary Key - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    If you have an Intel CPU, then no, you did not miss anything. ;->
    I fully understand the performance and cost advantages the current AMD64 platform has over Intel. However, this should not dismiss the fact that the NVIDIA nForce4 SLI platform along with the implementation of it by Asus is an excellent solution regardless of CPU choice.
    I personally own several AMD64 platforms but in reality you would be hard pressed at this time to tell the difference in performance between the two without benchmarks. I realize there will be a small population that can but overall an current Intel based system is fine for gaming and applications.
  • ksherman - Thursday, October 27, 2005 - link

    I REALLY like the fan less northbridge cooling setup... Wish my DFI had one like it. Esp. since my Zalman 7700 will keep those heasinks nice and cool...

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