nForce 2 Onboard Audio

Correct me if im wrong... but i just checked out the nForce2 motherboard comparison over at THG... I was under the impression that the nF2 had its own onboard sound? SoundStream/Storm or something like that?

So why do all 3 motherboards from Asus, Chaintech and Leadtek have the C-Media CMI8738 or RealTek ALC650 onboard sound chips?

I could be mistaken (usually I am :)) but this seems like a bit of a waste to what could be an excellent all-round AMD Athlon board.

I'm no fan of either of those 2 audio solutions... and would be forced to stick to my Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 :( OK, it's an alright card but the whole point is im trying to get rid of my PCI cards altogether.

If it is indeed the case that another flavour of the nForce 2 with its own brand of Audio will be released... is there any signs that it will be any better than the C-Media or Realtek solutions?

There are versions of the nForce2 boards that do not use Nvidia's SoundStorm tech and instead rely on other (cheaper) sound solutions. The delux versions of the boards will use the Nvidia sound solution, which by the way, is the same APU (audio processing unit) used in the origianl nForce chipset.:)

The Soundstorm nVidia sound requires an ACR card with all the connectors to your speakers and mike etc.
The Asus solution is to place 6 outlets on the backplate of the mobo, no acr riser card.
No one has explained why this came about.
Some of the mobo's only have a rear sound connector for 3 connections.
This would be about the same as most onboard sound in other mobo's.
At this time Asus & Leadtec are the only mobo's out that has the 6 outlets for sound, that I am aware of.

i am getting the soundstream or what ever its called on my asus delux board.

i am going for no pci cards at all! just an agp for video!