Gigabyte GA-P67A-UD5 Review (Page 5 of 6)

Page 5 - Onboard Sound (RMAA 6.2.3) Analyzation

Gigabyte did not make any particular claims about high performance integrated audio with the GA-P55A-UD6 motherboard. The Realtek ALC889 high definition audio codec may seem all so common, but it's always interesting to test and see how it really performs combined with the supplied DAC, EMI shielding, and the such. Unlike last year, I have set the output to 24-bit/48 kHz and used the Auzentech X-Fi Hometheater HD's Line In as the input to best measure the integrated sound's output performance.

Test Information:

Testing device: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Sampling mode: 24-bit, 48 kHz
Interface: DirectSound
Testing chain: External loopback (line-out - line-in)
RMAA Version: 6.2.3
20 Hz - 20 kHz filter: ON
Normalize amplitude: ON
Level change: -1.2 dB / -1.1 dB
Mono mode: OFF
Calibration signal, Hz: 1000
Polarity: correct/correct

Frequency response

From 20 Hz to 20 kHz, dB: -0.57, +0.02
From 40 Hz to 15 kHz, dB: -0.13, +0.02

Noise level

RMS power, dB: -85.8, -85.7
RMS power (A-weighted), dB: -88.2, -88.1
Peak level, dB FS: -66.1, -66.2
DC offset, %: -0.0, -0.0

Dynamic range

Dynamic range, dB: +86.1, +86.0
Dynamic range (A-weighted), dB: +88.5, +88.5
DC offset, %: -0.00, -0.00

THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)

THD, %: +0.0114, +0.0108
THD + Noise, %: +0.0133, +0.0127
THD + Noise (A-weighted), %: +0.0136, +0.0128

Intermodulation distortion

IMD + Noise, %: +0.0145, +0.0141
IMD + Noise (A-weighted), %: +0.0110, +0.0107

Stereo crosstalk

Crosstalk at 100 Hz, dB: -83, -84
Crosstalk at 1000 Hz, dB: -87, -88
Crosstalk at 10000 Hz, dB: -72, -73

IMD (swept tones)

IMD + Noise at 5000 Hz: 0.0155, 0.0149
IMD + Noise at 10000 Hz: 0.0145, 0.0145
IMD + Noise at 15000 Hz: 0.0151, 0.0150

Test Summary:

Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: +0.02, -0.13 - Excellent
Noise level, dB (A): -88.2 - Good
Dynamic range, dB (A): 88.5 - Good
THD, %: 0.011 - Good
THD + Noise, dB (A): -77.6 - Average
IMD + Noise, %: 0.014 - Very good
Stereo crosstalk, dB: -88.5 - Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, %: 0.015 - Very good
General performance: Very good


Page Index
1. Introduction, Features, and Specifications
2. Bundle, Chipset, BIOS
3. A Closer Look, Board Layout, Test System
4. Benchmarking Results - Absolute Values
5. Onboard Sound (RMAA 6.2.3) Analyzation
6. Overclocking and Conclusion