EPOX - EPoX 8K9A2+ (KT400) v 8RDA+ (nForce2) @ VN Roundup

VN Roundup has posted a new review by Atif Butt featuring EPoX’s EP-8RDA+ (nForce2 SPP/MCP-T) and EP-8K9A2+ (KT400).

In addition to the customary comparitive benchmarks, this particular review also covers audio with sections on DVD Audio Quality, Music Quality and Audio Performance Tests.

“With trends changing left and right in the PC world (ATi recently dethroned nVidia handily in the video card race) one can only imagine what will happen when VIA puts its latest (KT400) up against nVidia’s greatest (nForce2) in a showdown of high-end motherboard offerings.We didn’t even bother to compare the performance of the APU to the ALC650 found the 8K9A2+. There was a reason for this: the ALC650 has absolutely no advantage over the APU, nor does it come close to touching its performance. The nForce2 onboard audio is in a class with the big-name cards, such as Creative’s Audigy gaming soundcard. Make no doubt about it, the onboard audio found on the 8RDA+ is strong enough that it could replace your Audigy, and inhibitions about onboard audio. The only gripe with the 8RDA+’s implementation of nVidia’s APU is the lack of a digital output. Despite being outlined in the specifications for SoundStorm, EPoX chose to leave out the bracket for digital output. If you want to make use of the unique Dolby Digital Media Encoder, you’ll have to lay down the cash to pick up a digital bracket and hook it up to your Dolby receiver.”

EPoX 8K9A2+ (KT400) vs. 8RDA+ (nForce2)