Vista - Realtek ALC888S vs SB Live 24-bit/Audigy

Well I just Upgraded mobo and processor and after much much much hassel, managed to get everytrhing working. For some reason, this new mobo wouldn't allow an install of an older version of XP, only new versions with sp2. My legit copy was an older version and wouldn't install right, but that's not the topic here.

My new mobo comes with integrated Realtek ALC888S sound. 7.1 High Def with an hdmi output. I believe it's 24-bit sound and the specs on it look decent. I also have a SB Live! 24-bit card I've been using prior to new mobo.

Question is, how do the two compare? Am I better off sticking to my SB Live! 24-bit card, or trying out the new Realtek?
SB = 5.1, RT= 7.1
SB = 24-bit, RT = 24-bit too?
SB = no hdmi, RT = hdmi
SB has eax support. does RT? RT is High Def, is SB?

I'm confused. Which is better? SB or the integrated RT?

Realtek doesn't support EAX so if you have games that can use EAX use the SB.

Yeah I play games. Hey who doesn't? Hey, I'm wondering..... probably not, but do you think I'd be able to install... (ta dum) BOTH? Use the onboard and SB both? Switch between the two? I dual boot my machine with vista 64 and xp i386 and the SB card works suck for for vista. As one user in here put it, there's no EQ in vista, but the Realtek has full support... and an EQ. Think I could install both without conflicts? Without having to disable one of the other? Guess I could at least try... right?

Hi DesoShade. Please do give it a try. Please provide your findings, as I've done sort of what you inquired about, but with a X-FI in..........XP.
Did have to choose between the two in Audio Control Panel.

Actually, you know what I figured? I probably COULD install both cards and configure Vista to run Realtek and XP to use the SB Live 24-bit, BUT, when I switched operating systems I would have to unplug the connections in the back. Say I'm using XP and Soundblaster, if I switch to Vista and Realtek, I would have to reach behind my computer, disconnect speakers from the SB and plug them into the Realteck. That would be a paaaain. Hmmmm. So basically, I have to choose one. Realteck or SB.

I'll probalby stick with SB. Probably better than the onboard anyway. Sure I'm missing out on the 7.1 surround, but my speakers are only 5.1 anyway. lol Graphic EQ, I can just use the jukebox EQ. HDMI output... I'll probably never use that anyway.

Sounds as if you have come to conclusion. I have latest Realtek use via Digital Out to 7.1 AVR on Vista and am quite impressed with Quality. X-FI similarly connected is very impressive with XP, but can do the switching that you mentioned for Realtek out to a Creative 7.1 Speaker Set and that provides a very nice Surround Sound.

digitall2 good reason that both sound good, when using the digital connection on the card (doesn't matter whether it is onboard or a card), the speakers (or whatever you connected to) are doing the decoding, not the card. For the most part the digital connection all comes down to how good the DAC is on the other end.

There is a very long thread (more than one actually) over at guru3d regarding the Auzentech Prelude, and the general consensus it that unless you are connecting to a reasonably high end amp/receiver, you would be better connecting the speakers using the analogue connections as in most cases the DAC on the card is better than the one in the speakers.

I'm still using the Realtek and it doesn't sound all that bad. At some point, I may upgrade to an xfi, but the realtek is doing quite well with vista.