Hi-FI headphone amplifier Main stereo RCA out, headphone out, SPDIF out, line in (Mic in) Other frount audio header, Aux in, S/PDIF header Sound noise ratio (SNR) 124 Gx 2.5 (EAX 5.0) Asus Xonar Essence STX PCI-Express x1 Sound Card
So far, I definitely notice a better fuller sound versus on board or integrated Realtek ALC898, but this is to be expected with a board with more hardware then a single integrated audio motherboard audio chip. I feel the Realtek ALC898 onboard chip is adequate for most people's needs, so rule of thumb, if you plan on using the sound a lot, than go ahead spend the extra money on this sound card. If you use sound and recording infrequently, than the ALC898 will be ..
