Sound Cards Obsolete in Latest Mobos?

Hi all,

I've just finished building my first computer since 2004, fully expecting to have to add a sound card to my motherboard, just as I did back then. Doesn't look like it, though. While the literature for the P7P55D-E PRO doesn't mention it specificially, there's no reference to needing to add a sound card, and the following description from the ASUS web site makes it appear that a sound card is unnecessary (its occurred to me that someone might think I'm pushing an ASUS product--I'm really not). Do I get to save a few backs, or am I missing out on some features by not adding a card to the mobo? Here's what they say:

"8-channel Audio

Enjoy High-End 8-channel sound system on your PC!
The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions and multi-streaming technology that simultaneously sends different audio streams to different destinations. This motherboard now adopts the future standard to deliver the most vivid audio enjoyment!!"

It then goes on to say,

""DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC

DTS Surround Sensation UltraPC delivers exceptional 5.1 surround experience through the most common PC audio setups - your existing stereo speakers or headphones. In addition to virtual surround, “Bass enhancement” provides stronger low frequency bass sound, and “Voice clarification” provides clear human dialogue even with loud background sound. With these technologies, you may experience a better home-theater audio with ease."

The quotes are from http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=T2FxW2fXGZQgSn2V&templete=2

 

Woohoo! Thanks, Tim. Do you know if there was a specific reason for this--was it on the order of mobo manufacturers competing to pack more and more features into their motherboards?

Incidentally, I've been going through the ASUS literature for this particular mobo and even in the Fan XPert utility there's no clear indication that the mobo will shut down the CPU if it begins operating at an unsafe temperature. Any thoughts on how I might proceed in that regard?

 

Go into the BIOS at boot and tab through the options. Most boards have a BIOS option that let you set either an alarm and/or automatic shutdown option with a choice of the critical temp. levels (60C, 70C, 80C).

Hope this helps.

 

Exactly,quite a few mobo's are made now with built in audio and video to help builders make simple systems.

The believe biggest change is the amount of latent CPU power,onboard audio usually uses more CPU time to process the audio than a dedicated card but this is such a tiny fraction of the total amount of CPU power available on a modern computer that its negligible.When I first started building systems using onboard audio could actually affect the performance of your system when doing such things as gaming so a dedicated card was always preferable.

I also concurr with Gman,set the CPU alarm an shutdown temperature in the bios if your worried.

All modern CPU's and motherboards have multiple safety features that will shut the computer down before damage is done,such as throttling,over voltage protection and overheating and they only need to be adjusted if your really worried as they really are quite idiot proof.

 

Thanks guys. Didn't realize this thread was still alive but I appreciate the comments. Good to know.