How well does onboard sound work for Linux? I've just bought a new motherboard with the AC97 codec, and think to save money I might just use that than buy a seperate audio card. Anybody think this is a good idea? I just want sound with no crackles or anything, I'm especially non-selective with my audio. Anything that just works normally will be great for me since I don't game and just listen to CDs occasionally. So, how well is AC97 onboard sound percieved by Linux?

Most onboard audio is equivalent to an FM clock radio, whereas an addin card like te Audigy series is like a Hi-Fi Stereo. Both will play the same music, but the quality is definetly better on the Sound Blaster.

they did release new audio codecs with the AMD-64 and nforce 4 chipset. I get pretty good sound from the new AC'97 soundmax high def audio but I not a true sound person but it fit my bill.

Onboard sound works fine for me in two desktop systems and a laptop. BTW, in my opinion, the audio quality of onboard audio is a lot better than an FM clock radio--unless you are using a laptop or something.

I've got a nforce 2 board with onboard audio and did not know that linux supported it until i got to playing with kernels and saw it in there. I decided to try the nvidia out and liked it.

I'm not an "audiofile" but the onboard in mine is quite nice.

Isn't it "audiophile"?

Onboard sound works to an extent, but try pumping the bass & treble(?) along with the pcm and master volume just a little. You'll get some crackily crack. You'll also notice that some music that, I'm guessing, at certain high volume points seem to skip or crackle. Such as a certain build background music in The Sims. This was under AC'97. When I got my Audigy 2 Sound Blaster Gamer ZS I never have to worry about any of this. Plus I can plug in other headphones when the spawn of my relatives just happen to be in the neihborhood. :P

heheh, I think they need to add a spell checker for me, yes you are correct on your spelling of the audio....

LOL I like your sig