nForce2 MCP-T versus Audigy 2

[ZoNicONE]

Hey,

I'm using the Leadtek K7NCR18D-Pro right now, which includes the MCP-T chip, and got it connected to my receiver-setup by coax spdif. But with HL2, one of the first games that I care for the sound quality, I'm really beginning to think if I should spend some extra bucks for an Audigy 2 card.

As far as I've heard, Audigy2-cards consume about 0.5-1% more CPU-cycles than the nForce2 onboard sound, but it still comes in handy with EAX Advanced HD, 24/96 audio res (which my receiver at least supports in stereo-mode) and features that the MCP-T can only emulate. In exchange, the Audigy 2 doesn't feature a dolby labs certified bitstream.

The rest of my rig:
XP2200+
1.5GB CL2 Infeon FSB266
R9700 Pro (Powercolor Evil Commando 2)
2x WD800JB (80GB, 8MB Cache)

Receiver:
Kenwood KRF-V5060D

Every opinion is appreciated. Oh and btw., try to ignore my typos ^^

 

[Washuu]

most of the soundstream boards have bad drivers/ cooling for southbridge
i believe its the drivers, others believe its the southbridge not having a heatsink thats the problem. either way, the board is flawled, sound goes buzzy and its a pain in the arse

so audigy2!

 

[ZoNicONE]

Uh, I'm using the MCP-T since about 6 Months now, and I've never experienced something like... this. Crystal clear sound all the time, on all frequencies (the first thing I've performed with the new setup was a A/V Test DVD). Maybe I got lucky and got a newer revision / mid-week-chip.

So... any more objective opinions out there? Maybe from someone who actually did the change between SoundStorm and Audigy 2?

 

[Washuu]

u mean, u got lucky and got the older version :-/
i have a7n8x-dx revision 2.0 ( the latest )

 

[Ridic]

i ahve an audigy2 an i get no popping or anythign....so go with that.

 

[ZoNicONE]

*lol* Or this way around, yeah Maybe you simply got a bad one(If I would have experienced these problems, the board would have been back to the store in no time), as all Reviews I could find on the web simply said "Buy it! Goddamnit, BUY!". But the same thing was said for Audigy 2 boards.

Well, pretending the fact that the sound has absolutely no flaws; would you still chose the Audigy?

 

[crabcakes66]

i have an audigy...witch isnt a whole lot differant than an A2....other than crappy drivers from creative....i love it.

 

[dawdler]

Just like Audigy 2, MCP-T has features it can run in hardware that the Audigy 2 cant. Something with Dolby Digital I cant remember right now. And it can do 256 hardware (or at least claimed to) 3D voices, whereas Audigy2 only does 64.

But of course, the MCP-T has a feature Audigy2 can never stand up to, and that makes it a winner: IT COMES WITH A FREE MOTHERBOARD!!!

 

[ZoNicONE]

*lol* ^^ And yeah, MCP-T does actually support up to 256 3D-Voices, even though I fear it will need some time for games to show up that use that many of 'em.

I was more asking for a comprehensive comparison between both of them in terms of quality (especially signal quality) and support in games. I've asked gabe if he would prefer a MCP-T over an Audigy 2 but never got an Answer (he's got enough to do right now, obviously). Only a few games "really" support the MCP-T, most of the DD5.1 Features are coming out of the EAX 2.0 emulation. And if an Audigy can give EAX 4.0 Advanced HD in non-dolby-approved 5.1 (which should sound about the same).

That's why those "I've heard that it makes this and that crackle and buzz that my card doesn't"-posts won't get me far

 

[dawdler]

Well, Microsoft themselves has said that the MCP-T (and MCP of course) is the base for DirectX8 sound. So it shouldnt have any problems in DirectX games. Its the same that powers the Xbox, so its proven to be good...

But yeah, I do experience a bit crackling sometimes. It might be the southbridge cooling that causes it (ie my mobo has none), I dont think its the drivers, as its not consistent (and its like 0.1% of the time, very very very very rare). Although I dont like where Nvidia graphics drivers are going, the Nforce drivers seem fairly good. It cant be worse than Creative drivers

You could always check this out: http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/audigy2_versus_nforce2/default.asp

Edit: Btw, another thing (though I have heard it on my SB Live! too) is that sometimes sound cut short. As with crackling, this is quite rare (the only games I know of is Freelancer and Dungeon Keeper 2). Seems to be a game issue, not a card issue, something about the game sound doesnt like it.

 

[Global_Inferno]

Personally I have both an Audigy 2 AND a MCP-T on my ASUS A7N8X Deluxe, the difference... well... Put it like this, im currently USING the Audigy 2, simply because I think it is better and works better with my 5.1 Speakers.

 

[ZoNicONE]

Originally posted by dawdler

You could always check this out: http://firingsquad.gamers.com/hardware/audigy2_versus_nforce2/default.asp

Something like this was EXACTLY what I have been looking for. I guess I've made things a little bit too complicated with looking for Audigy 2 vs. MCP-T instead of nForce 2 :dozey:

 

[Asus]

If you plan on using Digital vs Analog would make a difference.
Audigy takes a bit more cpu usage and i dont really care for creatives drivers. Between my santa cruz 5.1 and my creative soundblaster 5.1 live, I use the santa cruz on that multimedia PC and i also have my Nforce2 MCP-T on my gaming PC.
If i bought digital speakers/headphones I would use the Soundstorm MCP-T.

 

[ZoNicONE]

I actually hooked up my MCP-T to my Home Cinema Receiver (Kenwood KRF-V5060D, Speakers: Canton Movie 10MX II)

I've had enough of all these wires back with my old SB Live 5.1, and there was a decent lack of true Dolby Digital setups for the PC. As I'm quite an audio- and videophile, the only thing I still lack is a decent TV (thinking of a Sony WEGA Trinitron, now having a crappy 22" no-name one, which has some decent problems handling white video components). I guess I'll buy one of these around december, or an XBox with about 8-9 games, for the same price... dunnow, whatever comes to my mind