RacoonRider wrote:It really depends on what SB32 and AWE32 models are in question. […]
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It really depends on what SB32 and AWE32 models are in question.
The only way you can distinguish SB32 from AWE32 is absence of Wavetable header and onboard RAM.
Other stuff depends on the model of SB32 PnP.
CT3930 - Vibra16 chip - CT2501
CT3600 - CT2502
CT3620 - Classic AWE32 chips - CT1741/CT1745
CT3670 - AWE64 chips - CT8903/CT1745T
There was also an AWE32 Value Edition that also didn't have a Wave Blaster connector - refer the attached FAQ, dated 26/10/1995 (Section A, points 21 & 22).
The attachment AWE32FAQ.TXT is no longer available
What is interesting from this FAQ is that, apart from the Vibra16 chipset on some SB32 models, you were actually better off with a SB32, due to the fact it had the memory upgrade simm sockets, compared to the AWE32 Value Edition that only had the 512 KB RAM on board but, no memory upgrade simm sockets.
Also, earlier SB32 models were not Plug 'n Play (for e.g. CT3930, which I have, is not a Plug 'n Play sound card as it doesn't require CTCM or CTCU in DOS mode). Regardless, they work fine under Windows.
I think that when they got to the AWE64, the only difference I can think of was the fact that the AWE64 came bundled with the WavEffects & WaveGuide synthesis, whereas the SB32 (that utilised the AWE64 chipset) didn't have that software. Other than that, I can't think of any difference between an AWE64 based card and a SB32 card (that utilised the same chipset as the AWE64). The reason I say this is that the AWE64 also did not have a Wave Blaster connector and an ASP (DSP) socket.
What is also interesting to note is that the CT3670, despite utilising the AWE64 chipset, probably predated to when the AWE64 was released, since this model still had the simm memory upgrade sockets. Creative did away with those with the release of the AWE64 in November 1996. I don't think that any SB32 models were produced after 1996, since these were kind of superseded with the AWE64 Value cards, with the AWE64 Gold becoming the new top of the range card.