Just got Windows Vista because my XP CD crapped out. Will definitely be sending it back to Microsoft so I can dual boot.
Microsoft got the brilliant idea to completely remove hardware support for DirectSound, EAX, and DirectSound 3D in Vista. While this is nice for those cheapies who don't give a crap about sound, it sucks for people who actually want their games and audio to sound great. Now the benefits of owning a sound card are next to nil. Microsoft's great idea is that now sound processing can be sent to the CPU. Those who own dual core's and so forth won't have any problem with sound processing is their thought.
My question is this. Since we have already removed sound processing from the CPU why take a step backwards and send it to the CPU? I want my CPU doing as little as possible which is why I have a video card, sound card, and perhaps a physics card.
This is a major bonehead move by Microsoft. Two thumbs down. Way down in the toilet.