Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3P Review (Page 11 of 12)

Page 11 - Onboard Sound (RMAA 6.2.3) Analyzation

The Realtek ALC889 integrated high definition audio codec on the Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3P is quite common. Seen on most of the Sandy Bridge motherboard chipsets we have reviewed to date, we have yet to come across a motherboard that boasts their integrated audio. Nonetheless, it is still quite interesting in seeing the performance of the audio in the external loop-back configuration.

Test Information:

Testing device: Speakers (High Definition Audio Device)
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: -0.8 dB / -0.6 dB
Mono mode: OFF
Calibration singal, Hz: 1000
Polarity: correct/correct

Frequency response

From 20 Hz to 20 kHz, dB: -6.45, +0.09
From 40 Hz to 15 kHz, dB: -0.13, +0.09

Noise level

RMS power, dB: -85.5, -85.5
RMS power (A-weighted), dB: -86.3, -86.4
Peak level, dB FS: -66.5, -67.1
DC offset, %: -0.0, -0.0

Dynamic range

Dynamic range, dB: +85.7, +85.5
Dynamic range (A-weighted), dB: +86.5, +86.4
DC offset, %: -0.00, -0.00

THD + Noise (at -3 dB FS)

THD, %: +0.1307, +0.1307
THD + Noise, %: +0.1810, +0.1809
THD + Noise (A-weighted), %: +0.2306, +0.2304

Intermodulation distortion

IMD + Noise, %: +0.2560, +0.2559
IMD + Noise (A-weighted), %: +0.3317, +0.3316

Stereo crosstalk

Crosstalk at 100 Hz, dB: -84, -85
Crosstalk at 1000 Hz, dB: -84, -86
Crosstalk at 10000 Hz, dB: -71, -72

IMD (swept tones)

IMD + Noise at 5000 Hz: 0.1350, 0.1342
IMD + Noise at 10000 Hz: 0.2845, 0.2847
IMD + Noise at 15000 Hz: 0.5594, 0.5593

Test Summary:

Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: +0.09, -0.13 - Very good
Noise level, dB (A): -86.4 - Good
Dynamic range, dB (A): 86.4 - Good
THD, %: 0.131 - Average
THD + Noise, dB (A): -52.7 - Poor
IMD + Noise, %: 0.256 - Average
Stereo crosstalk, dB: -85.8 - Excellent
IMD at 10 kHz, %: 0.326 - Average
General performance: Good


Page Index
1. Introduction, Features, and Specifications
2. Bundle, Chipset, BIOS
3. A Closer Look, Board Layout, Test System
4. Benchmark: AIDA64 CPU
5. Benchmark: AIDA64 FPU
6. Benchmark: AIDA64 Memory
7. Benchmark: PCMark Vantage
8. Benchmark: 3DMark 11
9. Benchmark: PassMark PerformanceTest 7.0
10. Benchmark: SuperPI 1M, Cinebench R11.5
11. Onboard Sound (RMAA 6.2.3) Analyzation
12. Overclocking and Conclusion