Here I go. Going to try to get it to work. Not really sure how to test if there is a difference in audio quality but my own ears.
The features of this SB ct4780:
General Features:
Interface: PCI
E-mu Systems, Inc. EMU10K1 chipset
64-voice hardware polyphony with E-mus patented 8-point
interpolation technology
48 MIDI channels with 128 GM & GS compatible
instruments and 10 drum kits
Support for real-time digital effects like reverb,
chorus, flanger,
pitch shifter, or distortion across any audio source
Capable of processing, mixing and positioning audio
streams using up to 131
available hardware channels
Accelerates Microsoft DirectSound and DirectSound 3D
Processes bit resolutions from 4-bit to 16-bit
Processes sample rates from 5kHz to 48kHz
Hardware full duplex support enables simultaneous
record and playback at
8 standard sample rates
Utilizes AC 97 Audio Codec
Supports Sound Blaster MIDI and MPU-401 modes
Compared to my onboard audio(Realtek® ALC892):
Hardware Features
DACs with 95dB SNR (A-weighting), ADCs with 90dB SNR (A-weighting)
Ten DAC channels support 16/20/24-bit PCM format for 7.1 channel sound playback, plus 2 channels of concurrent independent stereo sound output (multiple streaming) through the front panel output
Two stereo ADCs support 16/20/24-bit PCM format, multiple stereo recording
All DACs supports 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rate
All ADCs supports 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rate
Primary 16/20/24-bit SPDIF-OUT supports 32k/44.1k/48k/88.2k/96k/192kHz sample rate
Secondary 16/20/24-bit SPDIF-OUT supports 32k/44.1k/48k/88.2k/96k/192kHz sample rate
16/20/24-bit SPDIF-IN supports 44.1k/48k/96k/192kHz sample rate
All analog jacks (port-A to port-G) are stereo input and output re-tasking
Port-D/E/F built-in headphone amplifiers
Port-B/C/E/F with software selectable boost gain (+10/+20/+30dB) for analog microphone input
High-quality analog differential CD input
Supports external PCBEEP input and built-in digital BEEP generator
Software selectable 2.5V/3.2V/4.0V VREFOUT
Up to four channels of microphone array input are supported for AEC/BF applications
Three jack detection pins; each designed to detect up to 4 jacks
Supports legacy analog mixer architecture
Up to two GPIOs (General Purpose Input and Output) for customized applications. GPIO0 and GPIO1 share pin with DMIC-CLK and DMIC-DATA
Supports mono and stereo digital microphone interface (pins shared with GPIO0 and GPIO1)
Supports anti-pop mode when analog power LDO-IN is on and digital power is off
Content Protection for Full Rate lossless DVD Audio, Blu-ray DVD, and HD-DVD audio content playback (with selected versions of WinDVD/PowerDVD/TMT)
1dB per step output volume and input volume control
Supports 3.3V digital core power, 1.5V or 3.3V digital I/O power for HD Audio link, and 5.0V analog power
Intel low power ECR compliant and power status control for each analog/digital converter and pin widget
48-pin LQFP ‘Green’ package
Software Features
Meets Microsoft WLP 3.x and future WLP audio requirements
WaveRT-based audio function driver for Windows Vista and Windows 7
Direct Sound 3D™ compatible
I3DL2 compatible
7.1+2 channel multi-streaming enables concurrent gaming/VoIP
Emulation of 26 sound environments to enhance gaming experience
Multiband software equalizer and tools provided
Voice Cancellation and Key Shifting effect
Dynamic range control (expander, compressor, and limiter) with adjustable parameters
Intuitive Configuration Panel (Realtek Audio Manager) to enhance user experience
Microphone Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC), Noise Suppression (NS), and Beam Forming (BF) technology for voice applications
Smart multiple streaming operation
HDMI audio driver for AMD platform
Optional Dolby PCEE program, SRS TruSurround HD, SRS Premium Sound, Fortemedia SAM, Creative Host Audio, Synopsys Sonic Focus, DTS Surround Sensation | UltraPC, and DTS Connect licenses
My onboard is much better. My linux server has a realtek alc662. I don't think I will put in there though as it is a server.
Edit: Tested. The card works with the modified drivers. It has limited functionality. It didn't work at first. Then playing around with the control panel, I turned on surround, and I jumped 10 feet because it made noise and was on all the way. It does sound different. I would say my onboard Realtech ac892 is better. Low sounds sound better on this card, but it doesn't have the full range that my onboard audio does for sure. If I had