The Asus A7N8X-E is the pinnacle of All Socket A Motherboards, the final iteration of nForce2 chipsets. Considering how long the A7N8X lines have been out, and how stable the nForce 5.10 drivers are, I'd like to hear more about your roommates quirk...
For ~$126.69 after shipping you could have had 200gb
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp … -148-033&depa=0
Since I have a AV Reciever (every computer/game/movie enthusiast should) the best sound is a card with a good DSP and digital out that supports DTS.
For those who think no one give Creative a run for its money have never heard of M-Audio. Far superior sound to that of any of Creative's products. Cheaper to boot. For high quality on the cheap for you consumers check it...
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Revolut … on71-focus.html
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp … -121-101&depa=0
Those also have a line of professional products... Now there is a word that can't be used in the same sentence as Creative Labs without generatiing laughter.
I'm getting one of these. 36bit dsp, 24bit/192khz, and S/PDIF with DTS pass through, and ... 64bit drivers!!!! =D
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Audioph … le192-main.html
There's a plethora of pro cards that rain feces down upon Creative's offerings, but this card hits Creative over the head with a shovel and chops the body up with a chainsaw
http://www.esi-pro.com/viewProduct.php?pid=43&page=1
I mean... look at them
http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/29-102-164-03.JPG
http://www.esi-pro.com/upload/product/J-1B.jpg
It's like comparing some divine being to some homeless heroin addict beating his meat in an alley like it owes him money.
I don't think being any more explicit on my opinion of Creative Labs is.
And for those who are really serious about sound, you'll want some speakers that aren't made of plastic. I am all about making my own, and I can tell you, for the price, nothing beats these for the most bang for your buck
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?& … tnumber=300-640
and shielded versions too, so you can put them right next to your CRT (because lcd and plasma have nothing on a good ol computer crt for image quality)
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?& … tnumber=300-642
The dreamy system of AV Processor and Amp of course would be a lexicon MC12b, and 4 Crown Studio Reference 1's. But for those who don't have $75k, there is the Denon 3805 Reciever ($890)
http://www.mydigitaluniverse.com/show.asp?PID=2619
and in silver
http://www.mydigitaluniverse.com/show.asp?PID=2769
One of those with 3 pairs of BR-1s connected to your PC with a S/PDIF or ToSlink will probably create a more immerserve enjoyable experience than your local theatre. And you can justify the cost because you'll own this stuff for years. Can you say that about some plastic pc squeakers connected some Creative SB pos?
And a sub to rule them all... build one of these and you can be sure that your neighbors will hate you. Unless you can afford the Krell reference sub with 2 15" and a 1" thick aluminum housing, these are the best...
http://www.partsexpress.com/webpage.cfm?webpa … ectGroup_ID=536
BTW, I'm an audiophile. Sorry for rambling.