"Of the challenges that GNU/Linux users face when choosing hardware components for any system is the sound card compatibility. The two most popular Linux audio APIs are ALSA and OSS. ALSA, or officially known as Advanced Linux Sound Architecture, provides much of the audio and MIDI functionality to Linux users and is largely replacing OSS (Open Sound System). Some of ALSA's key features include fully modularized sound drivers, SMP and thread-safe design, user space library, and provides binary compatibility for most OSS programs--in other words, backward compatibility. In addition to the free OSS API, 4Front Technologies also offer a commercial variant with some additional features and support for particular sound cards that are only accessible with the manufacturer specifications through Non-Disclosure Agreements. In this article, we are examining Linux audio performance in the gaming environment with a slew of sound cards. The contenders include Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Z3, Sound Blaster Audigy 2, Chaintech AV-710, Aureal Vortex (AU8820), and AC'97 integrated audio..."
