Onboard sound stutters during MP3 playback and High CPU usage

[El_Brio]

Epox 8rda3+
1gig pc3700
3000 Barton 400mhz bus

I recently noticed that during MP3 playback and when doing any strenuous cpu activity my mp3 playback slows to a stuttering crawl. Why? Is there some setting I am missing? I find it hard to believe that my proc can't handle decompressing a file and playing a mp3 at the same time but..........

Please help

BRIO

[BipolarBill]

My guess is that you need to move away from onboard sound. Do you have an old Soundblaster around try?

[TiGgErDbC]

"strenuous cpu activity"

seems your straining your cpu with yoru "activity" then asking it for more power for your mp3's, witch use a bit of power when you have on board sound... i know i sold my SB live for my raid set up, and althought ig et way better computer preformace i find now if i'm playing games and trying to listen to a mp3 i get the same thing, either the mps are choppy or my game gets choppy. i'll be getting a new platinum soon i hope

1700xp@12.5x166
1 gig ddr 2700
sapphire 9800 NP
raid 0(2 40 gig 7200 rpm maxtors)