What does it mean when a motherboard comes w/ out audio or video?

[Mac Marty]

Merry Christmas! Hope you all got something other than socks.

I've been shopping for a new motherboard on-line and I am now getting a little confused about the motherboard's list of features. I'm planning on buying the Asus CUSL-2 i815e board for digital audio use and some of them say that they come without audio and/or without video. What does this mean? Does it mean that the board doesn't come with a sound card or a video card? It's been recommended to me not to get a board with built-in audio because of certain IRQ conflicts that can arise, so is that what it means when it says the board comes without audio? How important is the built-in video and audio features of a new motherboard when it's ultimate use will be for digital audio?

Anyway, many thanks and I hope you all got what you wanted, or already have it.

[Rick]

It means exactly what it says.
W/o audio means no Cheap audio chip on the Mother Board.
If you are going to be working with Digital audio you do not want a Mother board with built in audio.
You will want to spend the extra $$ for very good sound card.

Also if you want to be able to select the video card you want that meets your needs today and in the future you don't want Video on the Mother board.
Again spend the little extra $ for a better Video card.
In fact you may want to look into one that supports Dual Monitors.

It's great you can read mix and play back sound tracks on one and Debug on the other monitor.

[BigBlue66]

Yep, I agree with Rick. "With" audio/video means they are integrated into the motherboard. There is usually a jumper to disable these features, in case you want to upgrade in the future.

For digital audio though, save yourself a step and get the mobo without integrated audio, or even video for that matter, and get yourself a high-end sound card and a high-end 2D/3D video card.

The audio and video that are integrated into the motherboard are usually of lower quality. Sounds like you need high quality from the get-go.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

[bassvax]

I gots to echo the comments already stated. Integrated audio and video can be a nightmare. I was lucky enough to successfully disable the on-board video on the first try. I have heard horror stories to the contrary even when using the manufacturer's instructions for doing so. Getting that mobo indicates that you want to be able to expand/upgrade in the future. Spend what you can now on your priorities...you can get a good video card for under $150. I'll never buy integrated crud again. I'm considering the same mobo for my system build...keep us posted on how it comes along if you don't mind http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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Jerry

[Paleo Pete]

Yeppers, I'll agree too. Integrated motherboards suck...'nuff said...

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[mjc]

You are building a machine to do music. Well why pay for something you aren't going to use any way?

Most, if not all onboard audio is extremely limited in the way of music production so get a board without it and get a good sound card that is made for music work you'll be much happier.



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mjc
On the second day of Christams...