Audio Performance
RightMark Audio Analyser (RMAA)
RMAA suite is designed for testing quality of analog and digital paths of any audio device. The results are obtained by playing and recording test signals passed through the tested audio path by means of frequency analysis algorithms. A more common mark is also provided for those unfamiliar with measured technical parameters. Available here. We run the RMAA test using a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable connecting the line out to the line in to test the quality of the motherboard audio codec not any external audio devices. We run the complete playback and recording test at default settings and then get RMAA to interpret the results giving the below outputs. We sync the playback and recording audio devices to the same setting as the test for accurate results.
16 Bit, 44KHz (DVD Quality)
16 Bit, 96KHz (Studio Quality)
24 Bit, 96KHz (Studio Quality)
Some excellent results here, something I was not expecting from a SoC unit.
DPC Audio Latency Analyser
DPC is a Windows tool that analyses the capabilities of a computer system to handle real-time data streams properly. It may help to find the cause for interruptions in real-time audio and video streams, also known as drop-outs.
Despite using a codec that has been used on high specification motherboards, the result is poorer than expected.
It would be interesting to see the power consumption tests on units like this using something realistic like a pico psu unit. The unit you’re using here is complete overkill and I’m a little dubious about the efficiency at these demands. It’s only pulling about 3.3% of peak output. The efficiency isn’t measured at anything below 20% I think for this classification.
I can understand wanting to standardize the test rig as much as possible but question how much sense that really makes with such disparity in the platforms themselves. Nobody in the real world is going to use a $200 800+ watt PSU for an n3700 board. The attraction is in the low power and for many in the silence. I suppose if you have it in a closet as a NAS you might use some larger power supply you had on hand. But for htpc duty almost everyone is going to go for a pico psu unit.
It would be interesting to see the power consumption tests on units like this using something realistic like a pico psu unit. The unit you’re using here is complete overkill and I’m a little dubious about the efficiency at these demands. It’s only pulling about 3.3% of peak output. The efficiency isn’t measured at anything below 20% I think for this classification.
I can understand wanting to standardize the test rig as much as possible but question how much sense that really makes with such disparity in the platforms themselves. Nobody in the real world is going to use a $200 800+ watt PSU for an n3700 board. The attraction is in the low power and for many in the silence. I suppose if you have it in a closet as a NAS you might use some larger power supply you had on hand. But for htpc duty almost everyone is going to go for a pico psu unit.
It would be interesting to see the power consumption tests on units like this using something realistic like a pico psu unit. The unit you’re using here is complete overkill and I’m a little dubious about the efficiency at these demands. It’s only pulling about 3.3% of peak output. The efficiency isn’t measured at anything below 20% I think for this classification.
I can understand wanting to standardize the test rig as much as possible but question how much sense that really makes with such disparity in the platforms themselves. Nobody in the real world is going to use a $200 800+ watt PSU for an n3700 board. The attraction is in the low power and for many in the silence. I suppose if you have it in a closet as a NAS you might use some larger power supply you had on hand. But for htpc duty almost everyone is going to go for a pico psu unit.