I totally agree with your points 1 and 4. Ofcourse your processor can calculate sound, but it's the AC that is important. When I plug in my headphones in my onb

I totally agree with your points 1 and 4. Ofcourse your processor can calculate sound, but it's the AC that is important. When I plug in my headphones in my onboard soundcard and move my mouse I'm hearing noise and hiss. When I play music I can hardly hear it, but it's there and you will notice it when the music is soft. Need great sound: get the digital signal out of your PC and have an AC outside your hardware.