Impressive. So the CA20K2 is a native PCI-E chip. Doesn't need a translation logic. This helps chop latencies big time. Everything else is the same, some conjested real estate on the PCB, though not a demerit as such.
CA20K1 was a 90nm fab process based, could this be a die shrunk? What are this chip's thermal properties? Was there a heatsink over it?
not entirelly sure yet, as I haven't been able to dig up any other useful information on the APU. Here's the site I found the pics on:
http://ko-online.com.ua/blogs/oleynik Some close up shots of the Xonar DX PCIE at the top of the page as well.
The CA20k2 does look like a die shrink, though, but it's kinda hard to tell. It almost appears to have an IHS over top of the unit itself, as one can't clearly see the PCB contact feet - unless there is a means of transferring heat to the EMI shield through use of thermal pads or otherwise (which wouldn't be the brightest move, IMO), I see no other means of passive cooling and no evidence of any HS having been installed . . . perhaps the units thermal properties have been improved enough as to not have additional need for one . . .
I wonder as well . . . the new Auzentech X-Fi HomeTheater thats being prepped . . . could possibly be making use of this same processor as well considering it will support HDMI and the only specs Auzen have released claim the 'Audio Interface' to be a "Creative PCI Express X-Fi audio processor"
damn, we need some thorough reviews from sites that get the tech info on these things
-edit-
after looking further at the PCB design and layout, this card is extremely similar to the Fatal1ty card. Although quite a few components have been removed: the 10-pin proprietary f/p connect, the AUD_EXT connector, CD_IN, 4-pin molex, rear AUD_EXT support . . . and all the extra components associated with these circuits. In place of the multi-pin AUD_EXT connector at the back, they've included S/PDIF, and bumped up the mini-jack connectors from 4 to 5 (subwoofer now has it's own seperate channel). The removal of so many components will drastically cut down on audio latency at the PCB level, as well as PCB level EMI/RFI. Also appears to include an AC97/Azalia 10-pin f/p connector as well . . .
But, if you thought the Fatal1ty was one fast card . . . this beast should scream. I don't think there will be anything else on the market that will be able to touch this card in it's performance capability. I wish, though, there was some form of software bench test to be able to measure overall audio latency per number of voices being processed, from when a command is given to play the voices to when they're actually spit out, as well as rate the quality of the output files and percentage processed correctly.
Also of note, Creative must be specing out this card at either component quality, or through playback testing . . . much like ASUS and Auzentech have been doing. There is no way with that DAC and ADC combination they can achieve the specified ratings they've slapped on these cards (SNR 109dba, THD+N 0.004%) if tested in loopback modes.
Either way, if in the market for a high-quality-playback gaming audio card, this would well be worth the extra $10-$20 over the PCI Fatal1ty.
Still not fully compelling enough yet to warrant an upgrade from a PCI Fatal1ty.
I'd love to see the RMAA spectrum tests of this card, though . . .
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