Sapphire PURE Innovation - ATI's Chipset for the AMD Enthusiast

Audio Performance

For audio testing, we used Rightmark 3D Sound CPU utilization test, which is the same benchmark run in our earlier nForce4 SLI and Ultra roundups. This benchmark measures the overhead or CPU utilization required by a codec or hardware audio chip.

As you can see, none of the onboard audio solutions were quite as low in CPU utilization as the hardware Creative SoundBlaster Live! chip, which is used on the MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum. However, ATI's High Definition Audio on the SB450 turned in an outstanding performance in all 3 utilization tests: Empty CPU, 2D, and 3D. Results for ATI HD Audio were, in every case, almost as good as the hardware solution. Abit's separate Audio Max board, and the similar DFI Karajan Sound Module, had substantially lower CPU utilization of the ALC850 codec. These 2 solutions also stand above the crowd in their low CPU utilization rates.

It is very important to point out that the ATI Crossfire AMD is the first Athlon 64 board to deliver Azalia High Definition audio. Those who have been complaining about the poor AC'97 audio present on most AMD boards should be very pleased to find Azalia HD on the ATI.

We did some subjective listening tests with the ATI Azalia HD through a Dolby amplifier and a 5.1 speaker setup. The ATI Azalia HD was in a completely different league from the other audio solutions that we have tested on Athlon 64. Noise was virtually nonexistent, and the imaging and depth were superb when listening to Orff's Carmina Burana. The same CD sounded thin, noisy, and artificial through a more common ALC850 fed to the same Dolby amp and 5.1 speakers. This is not to say that the Azalia HD is at the same level as the very best audio cards, but it is a lot closer than what we think many of you imagine.

As the first implementation of Azalia HD audio on A64, the HD Realtek ALC880 features:

• High-performance DACs with 100dB S/N ratio
• ADCs with S/N ratio greater than 85dB
• Meets performance requirements for audio on PC2001 systems
• 8 DAC channels support 16/20/24-bit PCM format for 7.1 audio solution
• 3 stereo ADCs support 16/20-bit PCM format, two for microphone array, one for legacy mixer recording
• Supports 44.1K/48K/96K/192kHz DAC sample rate
• All ADCs support 44.1K/48K/96K sample rate
• Applicable for 4-channel/192kHz and 6-channel/96kHz DVD-Audio solutions
• Up to four channels of microphone input are supported for AEC/BF application
• High-quality differential CD input
• Supports Power Off CD function
• Supports external PCBEEP input and built-in BEEP generator
• PCBEEP Pass-Through when link is in RESET state
• Software selectable 2.5V/3.75V VREFOUT
• Six VREFOUTs are supported by default, with additional four VREFOUTs available by sharing unused analog I/O pins
• Two GPI (General Purpose Input) jack detection pins (each designed to detect 4 jacks)
• 16/20/24-bit S/PDIF-OUT supports 44.1K/48K/96kHz sample rate
• 16/20/24-bit S/PDIF-IN supports 44.1K/48K/96kHz sample rate
• Optional EAPD (External Amplifier Power Down) supported
• Power support: Digital: 3.3V; Analog: 3.3V/5.0V
• Power management and enhanced power saving features
• Compatible with AC'97
• 48-pin LQFP package (lead-free package also available)
• Reserve analog mixer architecture for backward compatibility with AC'97
• -64dB ~ +30dB with 1dB resolution of mixer gain to achieve finer volume control
• Impedance sensing capability for each re-tasking jack
• All analog jacks are stereo input and output re-tasking for analog plug & play
• Built-in headphone amplifier for each re-tasking jack
• Supports external volume knob control
• Supports 2 GPIOs (General Purpose Input/Output) for customized applications
• Hardware de-scrambling for DVD-Audio Content protection
• Meets Microsoft WHQL/WLP 2.0 audio requirements
• EAX^TM 1.0 & 2.0 compatible
• Direct Sound 3D^TM compatible
• A3D^TM compatible
• I3DL2 compatible
• HRTF 3D Positional Audio
• Emulation of 26 sound environments to enhance gaming experience
• 10 Software Equalizer Bands
• Voice Cancellation and Key Shifting in Karaoke mode
• Realtek Media Player
• Enhanced Configuration Panel and device sensing wizard to improve user experience
• Microphone Acoustic Echo Cancellation (AEC) and Beam Forming (BF) technology for voice application
• Mono/Stereo Microphone noise suppression
• ALC880D features Dolby® Digital Live output for consumer equipment

It is worth noting that since ATI has implemented Azalia HD on the SB450, it is easy for manufacturers like Sapphire to add Dolby Digital Live with "D" versions of this chipset. For more information on the HD Realtek ALC880, go to the Realtek web site.