Yes, I splurged for the Core i7 processor then pieced the rest of the computer together with parts from eMachines and garage sales.
Not sure why it's terrible. But at least it can self-determine whether analog or digital audio should be fed to whichever speakers I'm using. Open Winamp, music comes out of my analog speakers. Open Media Player Classic to watch an HD movie on my TV, starts feeding Dolby Digital or DTS to my surround sound receiver. Without changing a single setting on my computer. Can't do that with Vista/7 and it pisses me off. I don't see how upgrading software should make something more complicated than it was on its predecessor so I refuse to use it.