First Look: Intel P35 chipset

Audio Performance

The audio performance tests we done using Audio Rightmark 6.0.5 and a 3.5mm gold plated, oxygen free stereo loop back cable between stereo out and microphone input. Results were taken at the DVD sample rate of 16/48KHz and High Definition 24bit/96KHz.

16bit/48KHz

Intermodularity & Noise

Dynamic Range

Noise Level

Both the Asus P5K Deluxe and Asus Commando both use the ADI Soundmax 1988B High-Definition codec, but the Commando uses a separate daughterboard for its sound processing providing a supposed greater fidelity.

The audio quality is far from exceptional, despite using the best onboard codec ADI Soundmax has to offer. Generally the fidelity is in excess of 100dB across the audible range, but there are many spikes that drop to half that. The Intermodularity has a lovely blip in the low frequency bass range that really kills its fidelity between 40-80Hz. The Commando is a little better with a sound to noise ratio of 83dB, but the outputs were extremely sporadic, jumping from too loud to too quiet when we tried, extensively, to test the audio.

24bit/96KHz

Intermodularity & Noise

Dynamic Range

Noise Level

High Definition audio quality was even worse, with many more fidelity-dropping spikes across the audible range.