Characteristics of the sound card. Choosing a sound card for your home computer. How to check a sound card on a computer and find out exactly what it costs

15.07.2024

To enjoy all the benefits of high-definition video and the latest PC games, you need both a powerful processor and powerful graphics adapter. However, very often users forget that for complete immersion in the atmosphere, high-quality multi-channel sound is also required. However, codecs, drivers and the built-in sound card will help little in this matter. You need a serious device. The article will describe how to choose a sound card. Useful tips when choosing will also not go unnoticed.

Built-in chips

Audio devices soldered directly on the system card board are unable to compete with discrete equipment. First of all, the codec installed on the motherboard actively uses processor resources during its operation, which reduces overall performance by several percent.

It happens that the built-in sound card is located in close proximity to high-ampere power lines. The electromagnetic field created by them leads to increased interference and interference. The architecture of the built-in equipment is simplified to the maximum.

How to choose a sound card for a computer?

There is a variety of hardware for sound output, all of which can be divided into two types: music cards and multimedia.

The first group is used for recording, playback and processing of audio information. This makes them narrowly targeted, and such devices are intended mainly for musicians. They can be installed either inside the system unit or connected to a USB connector. The price of this type of equipment is high.

Multimedia sound cards are suitable for a wider range of users. They are ideal for both stereo systems and acoustics with five and seven channels. Codecs are already built into the sound card and do not require additional configuration; In addition, in addition to codecs, the device has its own processor, which has a beneficial effect on computer performance.

Main Features

In order to choose a sound card for your computer, you must be familiar with the basic characteristics of the device. First of all, the main task is installed on the board - processing the digital signal and creating its analog equivalent. This device is essentially the brain of the audio card.

DAC parameters

How to choose a sound card for a computer, what characteristics should a DAC have? A DAC with a 16-bit resolution and a maximum sampling frequency of 48 KHz is almost always sufficient. The last digit indicates how often the converter reads the signal during recording or playback.

It is believed that this parameter should be twice as large as that which will be reproduced. According to this theory, we can say that 44.1 KHz is sufficient for almost any recording; this level exceeds the threshold of frequencies audible to humans by two times. However, tests show that the rule is not always followed as written on paper, which means it makes sense to choose a device with a higher sampling rate for greater audio accuracy.

Marketing Tricks

It must be said that the figures written in advertising brochures are not always true, they are often greatly exaggerated. For example, a card with a stated sampling rate of 98 KHz may sound much worse than a device with more modest numbers. "How to choose the right sound card if you can't trust the specifications?" - the user will ask. When studying technology, pay attention to the company that manufactured the DAC. Ti-Burr Brown, Wolfson, Texas Instruments are considered the best.

In addition to the manufacturer, it is worth finding out the serial number of the DAC. It indicates the “advancement” of the model. That is, the higher the number, the more modern the development. You can only check the code name of the chip on the manufacturer’s website.

If there are several installed on the audio card, it is desirable that they all be the same. Often a high-quality DAC is used for the central channels, and an inexpensive one for the surrounding channels. This reduces not only the price of the final device, but also the quality of multi-channel sound.

EAX

Before choosing a computer sound card, find out if the hardware supports EAX technology. Also, be sure to check which version you are using. Today the oldest is 5.0.

In simple terms, EAX is an “audio positioning” technology. The closest analogue is DirectSound3D. It controls the coordinates of the audio source in three-dimensional space. In computer games, this system is used most often; with its help, effects are added to the game that create the illusion of distance from the sound source and its location relative to the listener (left, right, behind).

To what has already been said, it should be added that EAX emulates reflections and reverberations. This gives the user a sense of the parameters of the game world. For an open world, a cramped room, and an empty multi-story building, the character of the same audio recording will be different.

ASIO

ASIO is a protocol used to transmit audio information with minimal delays. Recording in dedicated applications is almost impossible if the ASIO does not support the computer's sound card. How to choose the best option?

For musicians, having this technology is a must. If the computer is used not as a recording studio, but as a multimedia processor, ASIO can be considered an optional feature.

Midi interface

If the user is going to write arrangements, then what should a sound card for a computer have, and how to choose a suitable device? An important feature of audio cards is the presence of midi inputs and outputs. They are used to connect synthesizers and musical keyboards.

With the help of such an interface, not an analog signal is supplied to the sound device, but information about which key is pressed, whether it is completely lowered, and with what force and speed the user pressed it. All data is transferred to the program, and the program already plays the sound. Moreover, the possibilities of these programs are enormous. You can use those that emulate real instruments (for example, piano, guitar, drums), or you can create your own unique and unlike anything else preset.

Phantom power

If you intend to use a condenser, you should know that not every sound card for a computer can work with such equipment. How to choose the right device? It's simple - ask about the presence of phantom power on the audio card. Remember that dynamic microphones require the absence of this element! Phantom power can damage them.

Instrument and line inputs

If you are going to install an audio card in your computer for recording electric guitar, it must have an instrument input (another name is high-impedance).

Its resistance level is quite high (about 1 megaohm), which makes it possible to transmit a signal from the instrument to the computer without loss. If you connect a guitar to a regular input, a significant part of the overtones and low frequencies will be lost, which will make the sound dull. In this case, not a clear, beautiful sound will be recorded, but a dull sound with loss of low frequencies. A large microphone jack is often used as a connector.

Line In is required for connecting various stereo devices to the audio card. Typically, each channel uses its own connector. You won't be able to connect a guitar or microphone to it; the recording volume in this case will be very quiet.

Built-in preamp

A preamplifier is another module that can be equipped with a computer sound card. How to choose the right one and which one is better - with or without it?

First you need to understand what a preamplifier is. The amplitude of the signal that goes from the microphone to the input is very low. To record, you have to amplify it and then stabilize the volume. It is this function that is assigned to the preamplifier. Not all audio cards have it. Even if the device has a microphone input, it may not have a preamplifier. Then the software does his job. However, in this case, the amplitude of not only the useful signal increases, but also noise with interference.

Choosing a sound card for a PC: is a preamp required?

For musicians or announcers, having a preamplifier will be a good bonus. But in this case there was a fly in the ointment. The quality of built-in amplifiers is almost always quite modest, but the price rises significantly due to such a built-in element. It must be said that you can always add an additional device of this type, so you shouldn’t add it to the list of required ones.

Conclusion

Since it is impossible to choose a sound card without wasting time, you will have to familiarize yourself with a large number of offers from different computer hardware stores. Of course, if you have no desire to study numbers, you can go another way - comparison. To do this, you need to listen to the same audio recording on different devices. In this case, the one that sounds most pleasant will be suitable.

Remember that the audio card is only part of the audio reproduction system. You also need a high-quality amplifier and good-quality speakers. Without them, all efforts aimed at selecting equipment will be in vain.

We would like to dedicate this article to our readers who love and appreciate high-quality sound on a computer and laptop, for which the sound card is responsible. The main function of a sound card is processing the incoming sound signal; to its functions you can add audio signal transmission (to a subwoofer, satellites, etc.) and input (line input, microphone, etc.).

Currently, almost all commercially available motherboards have an integrated sound card. In most cases they are capable of supporting a 5.1 or 7.1 system. You get a built-in sound card absolutely free, as it is part of the motherboard, but for a separate device you will have to pay a lot of money. Why do you need a separate sound card?

In most cases, for an ordinary user, there is no point in buying an external sound card if the main thing for you is that the sound from the computer is simply reproduced. For true connoisseurs of high-quality sound, we strongly recommend doing this, since not a single integrated sound card will demonstrate such capabilities as a separate one.

In general, if you like to listen to high-quality music playback or watch movies with an immersive sound effect, then when you buy a sound card, you need to pay attention to some points. Know that it is possible to get the highest quality sound only when the speaker system is connected to a digital or optical interface (S/PDIF). It would be nice, of course, if the sound card supports the Dolby Digital noise reduction system and the like. But you need to remember that you can only get clear sound if you use a good source, that is, there is no point in buying a separate sound card if you have simple stereo speakers. This is not logical. You can achieve high-quality sound on a new sound card only if you have a good 5.1 or 7.1 audio system, either in the form of a ready-made kit or assembled yourself from speakers, a subwoofer and an amplifier. High-bitrate music files in FLAC format and licensed DVD and Blue-ray discs will help you get high-quality sound.

In almost all integrated (built-in) sound cards, most functions are assigned to the main processor, which performs most of the work for signal processing and conversion. External sound cards have a separate sound processor, and some models even have their own memory. Thus, we can call these sound cards hardware; they are completely independent and do not use computer resources at all.

What to pay attention to

DTS Digital Surround and Dolby Digital are the surround sound standards used for the DVD format. Having a sound card with these features can give you sound with minimal noise and distortion, creating an immersive experience when watching licensed video discs.

Various effects in computer games, as well as surround sound function. EAX is a slightly outdated standard, but EAX ADVANCED HD is a more advanced system that allows you to provide the highest quality sound, as well as play electronic games using the most modern sound effects.

When connecting to an analog output, it is impossible to avoid all types of interference and noise, it simply will not work, and using a digital output absolutely eliminates their occurrence. It should be noted that some built-in sound cards also have access to S/PDIF, an optical output that can produce high-quality sound without the slightest distortion or interference. It is through this connector that we recommend connecting the audio system to the sound card.

Tips for choosing a sound card

As a rule, the main criterion for choosing a sound card is the ultimate purpose of its use. Most personal computer owners use the capabilities of a sound card to listen to music, play games, and also to record and process their own musical compositions.

Game fans should recommend sound cards that support EAX ADVANCED HD, EAX, as these functions will allow you to fully experience all the audio effects present in a modern game. But it is necessary to draw your attention to the fact that in this case with a built-in sound card, EAX emulation will significantly load the central processor and reduce its performance. For this reason, it is recommended to use an external sound card for games.

Another problem that you will have to face when choosing a sound card is its type. Today there are 2 types of sound cards: external and internal. The internal sound card is inserted into the PCI slot of the motherboard, without taking up extra space and without unnecessary wires. An external sound card, as the name suggests, is a separate device, but it is small in size. Site experts recommend choosing an external sound card for a number of reasons. Firstly, the internal sound card can be affected by electromagnetic interference, which in turn can negatively affect sound reproduction; an external sound card will not have such problems. Secondly, an external sound card is not limited in size, so it can include a larger number of connectors, which will affect the sound quality and make it possible to expand its functions. In addition, an external sound card is the only option to improve the quality of the reproduced sound on a laptop and connect a 5.1 audio system to it.

The more connectors a sound card has, the better. Your sound card must have at least the following connectors:

Connector for connecting to a computer or laptop;
Front speaker output;
Rear speaker output;
Subwoofer and center channel output;
Microphone output;
Line output;
Headphone output;
Optical S/PDIF input.

The cost of sound cards for professional musicians is very high. For beginners, one of the budget models may be quite suitable; fortunately, the choice today is quite wide. In addition to the fairly high quality of MIDI reproduction. Of course, before purchasing, you need to study the features of the audio device, pay close attention to the type of jack and number of channels so that you can connect all the necessary musical instruments, most of which require special 6.3 mm jack connectors.

Replacing the sound card is a real opportunity to upgrade your personal computer. A new, more advanced sound card that supports modern standards can show completely new possibilities and let you hear everything in a new way.

For home use, we recommend purchasing a Creative SB X-Fi Surround 5.1 Pro sound card, which is the best option to achieve high-quality sound. It is difficult to recommend a sound card model for musicians, since it all depends on the tasks you set for the card, as well as on the devices and instruments that you want to connect to it.

All computers have an integrated sound module designed for audio processing. Its technical characteristics do not allow you to get all the depth and realism from listening to studio recordings or high-quality films. A separate sound card can correct the shortcomings of the built-in analogue. But the wide range makes it difficult to choose the required device model. Reviews from specialists and videos demonstrating the operation of the equipment will help you choose the right option that will meet all the user’s needs.

Most computers that go on sale are equipped with one that is integrated into. They have low parameters to reproduce high-quality and clear sound. For music lovers or users who want to connect types 4.0, 5.1, 5.2, etc. To achieve the effect of presence while watching a movie, this sound card will not be enough, since the capabilities of the device will not allow this. The best way out of this situation is to purchase equipment with high technical characteristics.

Classification of sound cards

The main task assigned to it is processing the incoming audio signal. These products are divided into two main types:

external;
internal.

External devices are connected to a personal computer either via a USB port or FireWire. The second option is installed inside the system unit via PCI or PCIe connectors, depending on the model of the motherboard and the equipment itself. The price of internal sound cards is slightly lower compared to external devices. But they are sensitive to the quality of the electrical current received from the PC and are susceptible to the negative effects of interference. All this can affect the purity of the reproduced sound.

Attention! The design of laptops does not provide for the installation of an internal sound card.

Regardless of the type of execution, devices are divided into two types:

for professional use;
for household needs.

Professional equipment differs from home equipment in that it has connectors for connecting musical instruments: Jack 6.3 and XLR, as well as built-in filters for finer sound purification. There is also a price division of these devices, which divides them into three classes:

Budget. Such devices have the lowest quality sound reproduction. They have a minimum set of inputs and outputs for connecting an acoustic system.
Average. Products in this segment have high technical characteristics to create an immersive effect while watching films in 3D or Blu-ray format. They convert the audio signal from digital to analog during playback, and back during recording, without delay or noise. The package may include software to expand your audio processing capabilities.
Premium Equipment of this class reproduces high-frequency sound and is mainly used by professional musicians. Its interface allows you to connect multiple devices. They have several volume controls and their own equalizer. The package may include specialized software for professional audio recording.

Technical characteristics and selection criteria

On the modern market, sound cards are presented in a wide range from different manufacturers who have a large range of their products. This circumstance greatly complicates the selection of the necessary equipment modification. When choosing a device, you should pay attention to the following parameters: bit depth and sampling rate, hardware interface and supported technologies.

Advice. When purchasing an internal sound card, it is recommended to choose a device with a PCIe connector, since the PCI bus is obsolete and will soon fall out of use.

Signal converter

The sound card is equipped with a so-called central processor. It is designed for digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) of a signal with subsequent output to an acoustic system and analog-to-digital conversion when recording sound and saving data on. The processing speed of the streaming audio signal depends on its frequency. A device with 2 -3 DAC/ADC is capable of simultaneously processing several audio channels.

DAC capacity

This parameter is responsible for the quality of the processed audio signal during recording or playback. The standard bit width is 16 bits. There may be products on sale with 8-bit, 24-bit, etc. When using a 16-bit device, audio is reproduced at 65,536 volume levels, and on 8-bit – 256. Accordingly, the higher the bit depth, the better quality.

Sampling frequency

This device parameter is responsible for the quality of filtering the audio signal before saving it. To create stereo 2.0 audio, the sampling frequency must be 44.1 kHz, which is twice the hearing threshold of the human ear. This value is accepted as standard and is supported by all models of budget and mid-class sound cards. To watch movies in the format: DVD - 48 kHz, FullHD - 91 kHz, to transmit full sound and create the effect of presence, the parameter must be 192 kHz (studio recording, 3D or Blu-ray video playback requires 192 kHz).

Attention! Sound cards with a sampling frequency less than 44.1 kHz reproduce low quality sound with extraneous noise.

Interface

Depending on the user’s needs, the device can be equipped with connectors for connecting various equipment: speaker system type 2.0, 4.0, 5.1, 5.2 (number of channels), Jack 6.3 sockets (musical instruments), optical inputs and outputs S/PDIF (transfer of information without compression and deterioration in quality). Equipment with a MIDI interface provides the ability to connect MIDI devices: keyboards, controllers, etc. The presence of Full Duplex connectors ensures simultaneous recording and playback of signals from several channels. External cards may have volume and balance controls for each channel.

Technologies

Sound cards, depending on their class, support various technologies designed to improve sound quality.

Dolby Digital – provides suppression of electrical, electronic and mechanical noise.
DTS Digital – creates surround sound and presence, used for recording films in 3D and Blu-Ray formats.
EAX ADVANCED HD – used to create sound effects in games, 3D and Blu-Ray films to ensure maximum realism. Due to reverberation and reflection of sound waves, it creates a virtual world of everything that happens around the user.
ASIO protocol – provides optimization of data transfer when working with various applications, thereby increasing computer performance.

Advice. It is recommended to select a device that supports certain technologies depending on the capabilities and technical characteristics of the speaker system.

The main criterion when choosing the optimal sound card model is the needs of the consumer, based on which the necessary requirements are presented. The number of different connectors, support for various technologies and form factor (type of execution) determine the class of the device and its cost. When purchasing this equipment for, it is recommended to give preference to those modifications that receive power via a USB port, which will increase mobility. The right products can connect the required equipment, deliver high quality sound and depth to create realism and full presence.

How to install a sound card in a computer: video

Do you like listening to music and watching movies on your computer? Then you can't do without a sound card

According to the definition given in books on computer literacy for dummies or computer science textbooks, a sound card for a laptop or desktop PC means a special device that can be integrated on the motherboard or be external, used to reproduce and process the incoming sound signal. Using an audio card, you can listen to music, watch full-fledged movies, or enjoy gaming. Using special programs, you can process sound or create music yourself.

NOTE:

the process of processing audio on a computer involves editing recordings, eliminating noise, digitizing analog compositions for saving them on modern types of media, mixing music or embedding a frequency range.

Most modern sound cards are equipped with multiple outputs, including a jack for connecting speakers, a microphone or headphones.

This device may have different names:

audio input/output device;
sound card;
audio card;
audio device.

The card itself can be represented by a separate expansion card placed in the corresponding connector of the motherboard, or it can look like an integrated chipset soldered on the motherboard. It all depends on the model and manufacturer.

Why do you need a sound card in a computer?

Some users wonder what a sound card is for a computer. This is a necessary part that is found in every PC or laptop. Its purpose is to process the incoming audio signal and reproduce it.

Even the sounds that are built into the system and notify the user about events on the computer cannot be reproduced without the presence of this part. Also, users who play music professionally will need to buy a sound card for their computer, since it allows them to process sound and write their own works. Gamers install external sound cards on their laptops for better sound and more immersive gaming experience. The presence of connectors in the audio card for connecting external speakers or headphones makes it possible to watch movies, listen to music or have online conversations with relatives or friends using Skype or other similar programs.

The simplest sound card is a board with a set of chips and the necessary outputs

What does a sound card look like for a PC?

To understand what a sound card looks like in a computer, you can look at the photo. Also, the method of determining where exactly the sound device is hidden in the PC will depend on its type and the type of computer (desktop or laptop). How to identify the sound card in a desktop computer? This can be done by disassembling the case. On the motherboard you need to find a small chip (microcircuit), on which the name of the manufacturer's company will be printed. This method determines the sound card soldered to the motherboard.

NOTE:

if it is built-in, but connected as a separate device, then its location will be the corresponding slot. Usually this is PCI-Express. In this case, the presence of a sound card on the computer will be indicated by the various outputs on the rear wall of the system unit.

It is more difficult to disassemble a laptop, so you can determine exactly where the sound card will be located by looking at the external connectors. Typically, portable PC models have only two outputs - for a microphone and headphones or speakers.

On the motherboard, the sound card is represented by a small chip indicating the manufacturer

Main types of sound cards for computers

There are only two main types of audio devices for a PC - an external sound card for a computer and an internal or built-in one. They differ in their appearance and set of characteristics. The purposes for using these devices in the system also differ slightly.

External USB sound card

This device is a separate block, inside of which there is a set of chips responsible for converting and playing sound, connected to a computer via a USB port. Using an external device is an opportunity to significantly improve sound quality. Most often, such systems are used for laptops, since discrete audio chips cannot produce high-quality audio even on expensive models. The need to purchase an external sound card can be caused by two reasons:

desire to get high-quality sound on a laptop PC;
if the main sound card is broken and cannot be repaired, or the replacement procedure will be more expensive than buying a new one.

NOTE:

Connecting speakers is not a solution to the problem of poor quality sound. This will only lead to an increase in volume, at which all the flaws and shortcomings of the built-in audio chip will become more pronounced.

Most often, inexpensive models of external sound cards do not exceed the size of a regular flash drive. More expensive and high-quality ones may resemble a hard drive. The most expensive models, the price of which can reach 10,000, are close in size to the size of the computer itself.

External sound cards are portable and have all the necessary connectors.

All external audio devices have common capabilities:

amplification of the audio stream compared to standard computer means;
ability to connect external speakers, microphone and headphones.

Expensive models can be equipped with various sensors, indicators, and regulators. Top models additionally have coaxial outputs and analog channels.

The advantages of external sound cards for a computer are:

significant improvement in sound quality;
mobility, which makes it possible to connect the device to any PC;
a wide range of models on sale;
the ability to adjust the main frequency parameters using buttons located on the body of the device.

Internal sound card for computer

As the name implies, this type of device for playing and processing an audio stream is a system hidden in a computer case. There is a division of internal audio cards into two categories:

Integrated. This is a chip that is soldered directly onto the board. This solution is the most budget option. You should not expect high-quality sound from such a system, although more expensive motherboards may have high-quality chips installed. The advantage of this type is that it reduces the overall cost of the computer. But such an audio device has many more disadvantages:

after being placed on the motherboard, the chip begins to be affected by electrical noise, which distorts the analog signal;
lack of its own processor, which leads to increased CPU load;
inability to connect powerful audio systems.

Integrated cards are soldered into the board and have connectors for connecting devices located on the back wall of the PC.

Discrete. This type is a separate board that is installed in a PCI slot. Discrete cards are considered the oldest options. There are many manufacturers who specialize in producing discrete options. The use of this type has a number of advantages:

the presence of its own sound processor, which reduces the load on the CPU and does not slow down the PC;
producing higher quality sound;
the ability to connect powerful external audio playback devices;
the presence of a disk containing drivers for the sound card for Windows 7 or another operating system.

A discrete audio card is a separate card installed in a PCI-Express slot

Main technical characteristics of sound cards and available connectors

The main parameter that determines the effectiveness of a sound card is high-quality audio playback without unnecessary interference and distortion. Most devices have digital and analog inputs.

NOTE:

in practice, it turns out that the analog input/output produces interference when playing sound. But professional musicians believe that analog sound has a “warmth” that digital cannot provide.