I'm looking to "upgrade" HT setup with HTPC with proper surround audio, preferably with 7.1 channel HDMI audio.
Currently running a GTX 280 + X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series for my HTPC (also used for gaming.)
I have a 5.1 system with HDMI and currently I only get 2 channels as I use DVI-->HDMI.
I've been out of the loop when it comes to computer audio for some time. I would like to get 8 channel HDMI audio for movies, etc without using DTS or DD. Also surround sound for games without running a crap load of analog cables.
What will I lose by going from a X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series + GTX 280 to an ATI 5770 graphics card, audio wise? Gain? I like the idea of getting digital 7.1 / 5.1 audio for my movies (blu - ray / blu- ray rips) without resorting to encoding DTS or DD over SPDIF. Also surround sound for games. (of course using DD or DTS isn't even an option for games.)
I will probably go Fermi after the first round of "hot deals." How should I factor this into my decision? Will the Fermi have the same class audio as the 5770?
Is there a performance loss going from the X-Fi to the ATI? I'm assuming the ATI is a "software" audio solution, while the X-FI is "hardware.' What effect can I expect as far as performance? I know the X-Fi basically upconverts *everything* to 96/24.
Will games make proper use of 6 / 8 channel surround audio on the HDMI digital out (LPCM)?
I mean, this $100 Soundblaser card with ~50 million transister X-Fi chip has to be doing somthing useful, while the 5770 won't be doing any audio processing . . .
I have a decent sound system: Onkyo 606; Polk Monitor 60's, Polk Monitor CS2 Center, some 8" Boston Acoustics subwoofer.
Currently running a GTX 280 + X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series for my HTPC (also used for gaming.)
I have a 5.1 system with HDMI and currently I only get 2 channels as I use DVI-->HDMI.
I've been out of the loop when it comes to computer audio for some time. I would like to get 8 channel HDMI audio for movies, etc without using DTS or DD. Also surround sound for games without running a crap load of analog cables.
What will I lose by going from a X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series + GTX 280 to an ATI 5770 graphics card, audio wise? Gain? I like the idea of getting digital 7.1 / 5.1 audio for my movies (blu - ray / blu- ray rips) without resorting to encoding DTS or DD over SPDIF. Also surround sound for games. (of course using DD or DTS isn't even an option for games.)
I will probably go Fermi after the first round of "hot deals." How should I factor this into my decision? Will the Fermi have the same class audio as the 5770?
Is there a performance loss going from the X-Fi to the ATI? I'm assuming the ATI is a "software" audio solution, while the X-FI is "hardware.' What effect can I expect as far as performance? I know the X-Fi basically upconverts *everything* to 96/24.
Will games make proper use of 6 / 8 channel surround audio on the HDMI digital out (LPCM)?
I mean, this $100 Soundblaser card with ~50 million transister X-Fi chip has to be doing somthing useful, while the 5770 won't be doing any audio processing . . .
I have a decent sound system: Onkyo 606; Polk Monitor 60's, Polk Monitor CS2 Center, some 8" Boston Acoustics subwoofer.