The integration of audio chips on main boards is nothing new, and it looks like Creative Technology, the inventors of the Sound Blaster and of its numerous ulterior developments, has just hit the jackpot in this field.

Thus, the company announced yesterday that three major PC motherboard manufacturers: GIGABYTE, Shuttle Computer and MSI, will be incorporating the Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit processor into their upcoming product lineups as their on-board audio solution.

GIGABYTE will be incorporating the Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit processor in its GA-G1915P motherboard that will ship worldwide in August. MSI is currently using the technology in its K8N Diamond and P4N Diamond models. Shuttle Computer has incorporated the processor into its currently available SD31P motherboard, and will be doing so on its upcoming SD11G5, SD35P, and M1000 models that will be shipping worldwide this fall.

The Sound Blaster Live! 24-bit chip delivers superior 24-bit/96kHz, 7.1 surround sound with EAX(R) technology that significantly enhances music, movie, and PC game audio. EAX Music Enhancements dramatically improve MP3 and CD listening with features such as Bass Boost, Multi-Band Graphic Equalizer, and Audio Clean-Up.

Gamers will benefit from EAX ADVANCED HD(TM) Effects that deliver ultra-realistic environmental audio in hundreds of today's hottest PC games. With the Creative Multi-Speaker Surround (CMSS(R)) technology, users can listen to all their audio content, even if it was originally recorded in stereo, in 7.1 surround-sound playback.