Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Skuzzy on May 18, 2005, 06:50:07 AM

Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Skuzzy on May 18, 2005, 06:50:07 AM
I have been perplexed by this combination not yeilding the performance gains seen when using the Audigy 2 with an Intel CPU.
After doing a bit of research (I cannot stand not knowing why things act the way they do), I have narrowed it down to what I think is possbily why.

The Creative drivers are making use of the SSE2 instruction set (when available) for streaming the audio.  On Intel CPU's this appears to be more efficient than on AMD, which could explain why Intel users typically get a better boost in performance than AMD users do.
Next step is to find a way to disable the SSE2 instruction set usage (they do detect it and use it if it is available) and see if it could help AMD users out.

More later....
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: 38ruk on May 18, 2005, 10:25:33 AM
very cool skuzzy , i happen to be a amd and Auidgy2 user,  good luck in your quest 38
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Eagler on May 18, 2005, 10:37:04 AM
me too
amd64 - 3400
audigy2

let me know if you need me to check something, glad to help
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Balsy on May 18, 2005, 11:03:47 AM
me three

audigy 2
FX-53
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: eagl on May 18, 2005, 01:27:41 PM
Me four.

A64-3200
Audigy2
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: 38ruk on May 18, 2005, 02:39:00 PM
sry double post
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: 38ruk on May 18, 2005, 02:41:24 PM
skuzzy arent there other drivers out there made by KX or something . it was some kind of project, and they made there own drivers .  Ill have to look , and see what they do to the drivers , people say they perform better than creative , but ive never tryed them 38

here is the link, dont know if this will even help at all , just throwin it out there

http://kxproject.lugosoft.com/index.php?skip=1
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: humble on May 18, 2005, 02:55:33 PM
I'm currently using a DFI lanparty (754) with a 3200+ cpu. I've delayed throwing a sound card in the box based on similiar 411. Just doesnt seem to be much bang for the buck with an AMD system. I have a "old" turtlebeach santacruz I could throw in. Overall frame rate is ok but will bog down in hvy low traffic. Am I better off throwing it in or waiting things out till skuzzy works his wonders...
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: 214thCavalier on May 18, 2005, 03:21:35 PM
Apparently they have some new beta drivers out aimed at gamers with a speed increase.

Let me know how you get on :)

Ziff Davis Audio Winbench 99 may be useful to test cpu utilisation of different sound cards at different settings, for different drivers.

http://www.benchmarkhq.ru/english.html?/be_mm.html

When I plugged an Audigy 2 into my AMD setup and compared to the onboard sound, negligible difference.
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Grits on May 19, 2005, 11:53:00 AM
I have a P4 3.0 and went from an SBLive! to an Audigy2 hoping for some FR increase and got nothing. Sound quality is far better with the Audigy, and that alone makes me very happy with it over the SBLive!, but I did not see any FR advantage to it.
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: minus on May 19, 2005, 04:33:24 PM
problem is  how the driver was compiled  , many time    things are made  to give advantage  based on name not on real   intsructions

 and intel SUX :P     amd 64  is way to go :)
Title: Re: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Overlag on May 20, 2005, 09:14:31 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Skuzzy
I have been perplexed by this combination not yeilding the performance gains seen when using the Audigy 2 with an Intel CPU.
After doing a bit of research (I cannot stand not knowing why things act the way they do), I have narrowed it down to what I think is possbily why.

The Creative drivers are making use of the SSE2 instruction set (when available) for streaming the audio.  On Intel CPU's this appears to be more efficient than on AMD, which could explain why Intel users typically get a better boost in performance than AMD users do.
Next step is to find a way to disable the SSE2 instruction set usage (they do detect it and use it if it is available) and see if it could help AMD users out.

More later....


i think the Audigy also has issues with Nforce4 chipsets.... or is it VIA (again lol)?
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Skuzzy on May 21, 2005, 07:47:26 AM
This is proving to be an interesting exercise.
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Kaz on May 21, 2005, 12:38:31 PM
:D
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: 68DevilM on May 22, 2005, 09:02:20 PM
ahh me 6?
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: MOIL on May 23, 2005, 06:39:00 PM
Ah me 7

AMD K6II450 {the good one} Audigy2 Platinum Pro
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Pollock on May 25, 2005, 01:57:54 PM
AMD 64 guys specifically nforce 3 chipset guys.  Is ther any benefit using this card specifically game smoothness.
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: StarOfAfrica2 on May 25, 2005, 03:12:23 PM
Just out of curiousity Skuzzy, if you think the Audigy/AMD issue is related to the SSE2 instructions, any thoughts on whether or not the SB cards currently in rotation will respond similarly with SSE3?  The 64s are SSE3 compatible.  Or maybe thats the problem?  Of course, that wouldnt explain the Socket A having the same issue, when it only understands SSE2............

Never mind.
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Skuzzy on May 25, 2005, 03:57:11 PM
I have not found any SSE3 instructions, so they are not a factor.
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Swoop on May 25, 2005, 07:21:11 PM
me 8.

(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/209_1081438631_swoop.gif)
Title: AMD and Audigy 2
Post by: Hajo on May 28, 2005, 04:29:31 PM
Bought an Audigy2ZS.

Had a SB Live 5.1 installed.  Running an AMD XP2400 at that time and via chipset. TRIED to install the audigy2zs....it worked but screwed up the system so bad I edited registry to get Creative totally out of the system.  The SBLive 5.1 worked perfectly well.
I reformatted my HD and installed the Live 5.1 and everything worked well.  

Pipz I believe talked with Creative Techs.  Via chipsets were to be blamed (according to Creative)  He also tried using the audigy and came up with the same results I experienced.

Since then I've gotten rid of my soundcard.  Installed a set of LTB 5.1 digital Headphones (with mic) that are USB.  No difference in performance....my framerates luckily are just fine. Same as with the SB Live 5.1.