Audio performance

The A8V Deluxe's ALC850 audio implementation consumes a few more CPU cycles than the AV8, but we're only talking one or two percent. If you want low CPU utilization with 3D audio, true hardware-accelerated 3D audio solutions are the only way to go.

Audio quality
For RightMark's audio quality tests, I used a Terratec DMX 6fire 24/96 for recording. Analog output ports were used on all systems. To keep things simple, I've translated RightMark's word-based quality scale to numbers. Higher scores reflect better audio quality, and the scale tops out at 6, which corresponds to an "Excellent" rating in RightMark.

The A8V Deluxe has better dynamic range than the AV8, but poorer frequency response. Overall, though, audio quality is only average. The sound quality of even the best on-board audio implementations I've tested pales in comparison with true 24-bit audio cards like Creative's Audigy2, M-Audio's Revolution 7.1, and Philips' Ultimate Edge.