From Slashdot news: A few days back Intel announced the name to its previously dubbed 'Azalia' next-generation audio specification due out by midyear, under royalty-free license terms. The Intel High Definition Audio solution will have increased bandwidth that allows for 192 kHz, 32-bit, multi-channel audio and uses Dolby Pro Logic IIx technology 'which delivers the most natural, seamless and immersing 7.1 surround listening experience from any native 2-channel source'. The architecture is designed on the same cost-sensitive principles as AC'97 and will allow for improved audio usage and stability.

Why do more motherboards not carry the Soundstorm? I thought it was excellent, and was disappointed to only find it on ASUS nForce boards.

About time they killed off AC97 Let the good times roll.

finally some 32bit

Actually, Abit's NF7-S and AN7 both carry Soundstorm... any mobo with the MCP-T southbridge does. However, very few meet the true dolby certified specifications that award the soundstorm certification.

And just FYI, many of Asus's early bords that claimed soundstorm WERE NOT certified! Only Abit's were!

NVidia's sound solution did start an evolution for "on-board" sound, but is/was an imperfect solution. In fact, it's newest/ future chipsets will not include the high end solution... it has/will become a discrete chip. VIA's Envy/vinyl also looks to be a good solution... but add in cards will always have the best features, etc.. Intels announcement is only a "we have too" due to pressure created by these two solutions, along with the 6.1 and 7.1 PHL's supplied by realtec, etc..