Hello Michael,

> The sound and the modem are totally software based (I guess you don't use
> Linux).  If you want good sound performance and the stolen CPU cycles
back,
> buy a SoundBlaster Live Value card.  You should be able to find one for
> around 35.00 or so, they kick ass.   AC/97 sound is a joke.  It will hang
> your machine, it will cause your mouse to jerk when you move it (I can't
> stand this).  It will definitely slow down your computer.

    actually I have a SBLive Value but this mobo have only one PCI slot that
I'm already using for a board with extra serial(2) and parallel(1) ports.

    The SBLive have an AC97 also, but the all the dirty work is done by the
EMU10K1 (powerfull YEAH!^) processor.

> As far as the bus goes, it's the same whether you use a card or have
> integrated devices.  For example PS2 interface is a PNP ISA device.  The
> AC/97 codec is a PCI device, I believe.  The integrated IDE devices are
PCI
> based.  There are boards with the Creative 5880 chip.  This chip is fairly
> decent for an integrated solution.  It is basically a SB PCI 512 built
onto
> the board.

    Ok, I was thinking about the fact that if we don't have a (PCI)
connector to introduce malfunctioning the system could be more stable.

> Integrated video (nowadays) is usually AGP based.  This is kind of a cruel
> joke.  Like buying a USB 2.0 keyboard, what's the point.  ;-D  Most
> integrated video is very poor in the performance arena.  Since the AGP bus
> seems to only allow for one device, having integrated video "usually"
steals
> your AGP bus.  There are a few boards that have integrated video and have
an
> AGP socket that can be used.  This works by disabling the on-board video.
>
> Also, did you change to another chipset (like VIA or SIS).  I don't care
> what anyone says, VIA chipsets are not as fast as Intel.  They also have
> many other hidden "features".

    This mobo have a SIS (don't know version) chipset.

    I'll probably try an ASUS TUSI-M mobo with SIS 630E Chipset. I always
loved ASUS mobos and the CUSI-M have 3 PCI slots, so I can use my
SBLiveValue and the NetMos-MultiIO with it.

    Talking about the MultiIO, it's a "NetMos PCI9835 Multi-I/O Controller".
It works well, but it doesn't let the computer go to sleep mode. This also
happens with my P2B motherboard. Anyone knows if there's a trick?

> Brown's 1st Law of Motherboards:  YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
> Or, to grammatically correct it:  YOU GET THAT FOR WHICH YOU PAY

    Not just for Motherboards... :)

    Best regards,

    Brusque

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Edson Brusque                 C.I.Tronics Lighting Designers Ltda
Researcher and Developer               Blumenau  -  SC  -  Brazil
Say NO to HTML mail                          www.citronics.com.br
-----------------------------------------------------------------

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.