I just got done reading about a thousand posts about the various soundcards out there and am confused.
Here's my situation, my sweet nforce2 mobo with soundstorm died and I went with the nForce3 based MSI Neo2 Platinum (no frickin' Soundstorm... nvidia...why why why???). I am using the on board audio, but think it sucks or at least the way it is now. I currently am running the sound through the S/PDIF coaxial output and get the dreaded 2 channel output for games, etc that is expected.
What I am wondering is what is the best sound card to play games in 5.1 surround and pass my DVD movie audio via the S/PDIF? With whatever the recommendation is (Audigy2 ZS, m-audio, etc) will I (or can I) run both analog outs for 5.1 surround with games/media files to my HarmonKardon receiver AND the coaxial S/PDIF out for DVDs for the reciever to decode with minimal hassle or software switching between the outputs (does this just happen automatically if I just select the passthrough S/PDIF tab despite 2 sets of outputs)?
I don't really care about cd-audio purity with the resampling issue, I only care about great gaming and DVD playback. I really just wish I had my Soundstorm back....
cheers
chris
Here's my situation, my sweet nforce2 mobo with soundstorm died and I went with the nForce3 based MSI Neo2 Platinum (no frickin' Soundstorm... nvidia...why why why???). I am using the on board audio, but think it sucks or at least the way it is now. I currently am running the sound through the S/PDIF coaxial output and get the dreaded 2 channel output for games, etc that is expected.
What I am wondering is what is the best sound card to play games in 5.1 surround and pass my DVD movie audio via the S/PDIF? With whatever the recommendation is (Audigy2 ZS, m-audio, etc) will I (or can I) run both analog outs for 5.1 surround with games/media files to my HarmonKardon receiver AND the coaxial S/PDIF out for DVDs for the reciever to decode with minimal hassle or software switching between the outputs (does this just happen automatically if I just select the passthrough S/PDIF tab despite 2 sets of outputs)?
I don't really care about cd-audio purity with the resampling issue, I only care about great gaming and DVD playback. I really just wish I had my Soundstorm back....
cheers
chris
