Audio Codec Comparison Table

Posted By Gabriel Torres on Apr 9, 2012 in Motherboard, Audio

Introduction

Audio codec is a small chip measuring 0.25 x 0.25 inches (7 x 7 mm) located on the motherboard in charge of the analog audio functions. Knowing the specs of a codec will permit you to compare the audio quality of different motherboards, allowing you to choose the right product for your needs.

For further details on audio codecs, including an explanation of the specs we are publishing, please read our tutorial “How On-Board Audio Works.”

We will separate the codecs according to the manufacturer.

Analog Devices (ADI/SoundMax)

Analog Devices are also known as ADI or SoundMax, and their codecs use names starting with “AD.” In Figure 1, you can see an example of an Analog Devices codec.

Figure 1: Analog Devices AD1988B codec

• Contents
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Realtek (ALC, Avance Logic)
• 3. C-Media (CMI)
• 4. VIA (VT)
• 5. Other Manufacturers