Need some critics to tell me about the iwillkk266 onboard sound.

[Me]

Tell me the truth is the onboard sound just as good as the Soundblaster live 5.1
I heard it was but im not sure what to believe

 

[Strafer]

Me (Jul 12, 2001 04:51 p.m.):
Tell me the truth is the onboard sound just as good as the Soundblaster live 5.1
I heard it was but im not sure what to believe

Just received an Iwill KK266R yesterday. I already have the Sb Live value in previous Intel rig. To be honest, thus far (using the latest drivers for the Cmedia) there is no comparison. Basically the Cmedia sounds like poop. It's like the speakers have been buried deep within my shoe - very muffled. What's worse, if your playing one sound (like an mp3 file) other sounds will not be played (like the engine sounds in GPL). Therefore, I'm considering sending the mobo back to newegg.com and getting the Abit KT7a and using my SBlive value (I hate having redudant, unsed hardware inside my case). I asked about this same question in my post labled "3 questions about KK266R." I've yet to get a decent response from someone who's had the board longer than I have. I simply cannot believe some posts from folks who say they have trouble telling the difference between the Cmedia and a SBlive Platinum.

 

[Me]

i wouldnt buy the kt7z because i heard that there is more problems with that board when it comes to running a sblive. I would just disable the soundboard on the motheboard with the jumper its easy

 

[bruce]

I'm no critic, but my onboard C-media sounds fine. I did have problems with the supplied drivers though, I went to C-media's website and downloaded the WHQL (MS certified) drivers and everything's great! I only have 3 speakers (2 full ranges and a sub, Altec Lansings) and the Matrix DVD sounds awsome!!! Mp3's sound fine, I'm not complaining, but I'm also no critic and I don't have a SB live. Just my 2 cents...

 

[Da Whip]

Strafer, If you really cannot see the sense of having an Iwill KK266 and are wanting for the Abit KT7A, go for it. SBLive is a great sound card, but the on-board sound on the Iwill is pretty darn good. Maybe the reason that you cannot tell the difference between SBLive and Cmedia is you have your head up your.., nah won't go there.
If you want an Abit, buy one and quit your bitchin'. Quit knocking Iwill, you could always disable the on board sound.
I have read your posts and there is no satisfying you.

 

[Me]

iwillKK266 RULES FOR ONLY 107 BUCKS YOU CANT GO WRONG
THE BEST OVERCLOCKING BOARD OUT THERE TOO FOR THE KT133A

 

[guppie]

Bruce, can you please post the web site for CMedia for the latest drivers on the IWILL KK266 mobo? I've been asking this question for a couple weeks and nobody has answered back... What about the latest 4in1 drivers, the CMedia drivers aren't included in those?

 

[bruce]

Hey guppie, happy to help... here's C-media's web site: http://www.cmedia.com.tw/ click downloads and CMI8738 sound chip. I was having a problem with my sound and my WDM (wave device for modem), downloading the "logo drivers" (MS Certified) cleared it right up, you can also get more info at fullon3D's KK266 FAQ ( http://www.fullon3d.com/kk266faq/kk266faq.shtml#SOUND ). As for the Via 4in1's those are for your northbridge and southbridge (chipset) made by VIA, the soundchip is made by C-media and is not packaged with the 4in1's. Here is all the info you will need for the 4in1's and a download link (again from fullon3D): http://www.fullon3d.com/kk266faq/kk266faq.shtml#via4n1info , the KK266FAQ ROCKS!!! they also have some good Iwill/AMD wallpaper for your desktop there! Ask around about the best Via 4in1's, everyone has there own opinion but if you have them installed and your system's running fine, don't mess with them(downloading newer versions that is)! Goodluck, and if you have any more questions I'm happy to help...

 

[Mondo]

Me (Jul 12, 2001 09:19 p.m.):
iwillKK266 RULES FOR ONLY 107 BUCKS YOU CANT GO WRONG
THE BEST OVERCLOCKING BOARD OUT THERE TOO FOR THE KT133A

I agree with that, OCING is easy and stable, now I just need a new power supply..

Oh and the sound, well I had a Soundblaster128 PCI before I got this, and the C-Media sounds just like it or better,but I need some better speakers though(got these for 15$...)

 

[calvin]

Can't compare to the sb but sounds just as good as my tbeach montego sound card. Using the cmedia 1094c driver as a few peeps claim sound quality better then whql's. Anyway, sound is very good IMO. But then I'm also outputting through a sweet set of Sennheiser headphones

kk266r
amd850 at 1000 (155 x 6.5)
radeon le at 190 (fan and ram sinks mod)
2 x 20g maxtor ata100 in raid 0, sandra = 43k
dell dimesnion case
300w antec ps
linksys nic
hollywood+ mpeg card
toshiba 4.8x dvd/zip100

 

[Incarnated666]

IWILL onboard sound does not support 5.1, it only does 4.1. It isnt bad for onboard sound. And, I would like to say that the SB live problems this board has can be fixed with a simple Bios flash to the new BIOS and the newer Bios has added options for faster ram timing and interleaving. I own the board too and I am happy with it and my IWILL/Athlon 1.2/266 I combo am trying to decide if I want to get rid of the board and CPU to get a Tyan KT-A w/ 1.4/266 and pay 30$ more(i just bought it and can return it for other combo) also, the effort of taking this one out, returning it and putting in the new!This link is the updated Bios Filedescription