MSI Talks Up Hardware X-Fi Decoding On Mobos

MSI Talks Up Hardware X-Fi Decoding On Mobos

Friday, March 13, 2009 - by Shawn Oliver
Here lately, MSI has definitely been on the notebook kick. Day after day, we've seen new laptop after new laptop emerge to fit pretty much every budget and every wish list. Today, however, the company is breaking from the norm to talk up its sound equipment; more specifically, its X-Fi-enabled motherboards.

MSI asserts that of all the mainboards on the market now that are implementing Creative's X-Fi audio technology, it is the only one left who insists on utilizing a true hardware decoder solution. In other words, its products come loaded with a Creative DSP, DAC and ADC audio decoder chip as well as its optimized Creative software solution. MSI takes aim at its rivals by asserting that "many manufacturers on the market" are claiming that X-Fi is "included" while only relying on the common HD Audio codec and not the aforementioned hardware components.

We can't say for sure if this is just overblown marketing speak at some level, but at least you can count on getting the best integrated audio with MSI boards, right? Give the Via link a look for more specifics on which MSI boards are really, honestly and truly X-Fi approved.







Via: MSI | News Archive | Tags: MSI, Motherboard, Sound card, X-Fi
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Comments

By 3vi1 on Mar 14, 2009

Ah, X-Fi... the sound system with Linux drivers that are so bad that Creative gave up and open-sourced the code for the community to fix.

Hopefully the ALSA guys have better luck.

By tanka12345 on Mar 14, 2009

Do you guys think that sound card is any good? I've got one in the cupboard next to the comp Big Smile

By 3vi1 on Mar 14, 2009

For Windows, I've heard it's pretty good. For Linux, I've heard it's a nightmare to get working. And, compared to the average expectance of problems with soundcards under Linux, that's gotta mean something bad.  :)

By tanka12345 on Mar 15, 2009

I guess it'll be good for me as I'll probably use it with Windows. But I can't rule out Linux as Vista costs alot :(

By nelsoncp21 on Mar 15, 2009

I wouldn't mind seeing a comparison between the 2 riser cards from x-fi for different MB manufacturers. When I say 2 I mean the difference between the hardware based verses one's like the 1 on my board with just the codec. Does it really make much difference other then taxing the cpu possibly. I mean really if the only difference is that the codec only version just uses of cpu cycles verses the hardware based one does not then big deal. I mean when if say on a x58 based system where an i7 has 8 logical cores are you really gonna see a performance hit on any application. maybe I looking at this all wrong but I just don't see the big deal. SOmeone please tell me if I am way off the mark here.

By tanka12345 on Mar 15, 2009

I'm not actually sure Nelson. Good question! I'm sure Marco/Davo could answer this one.

By onebxr on Apr 1, 2009

I have given up on anything creative puts out, due to driver inconsistancy.  I would rather use HTOmega, Auzentech, or Razer for my sound needs.  Also onboard is making great headway almost negating the need for a standalone sound card.

-1

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