Motherboards are equipped with an integrated sound card, but unfortunately, it does not always give high-quality sound. If the user needs to improve its quality, then the proper and optimal solution will be the acquisition of a discrete sound card. In this article we will tell you what characteristics should pay attention during the choice of this device.
Choose a sound card for a computer
The difficulty in choosing is different parameters for each user separately. Some need only playback of music, others are interested in high-quality sound. The number of required ports also changes depending on the requirements. Therefore, we recommend to determine from the very beginning, for what purpose you are going to use the device, and then you can already move to a detailed study of all characteristics.Type of sound card
Total two types of sound cards are allocated. The most common are embedded options. They connect to the motherboard through a special connector. Such cards are inexpensive, there are always a large selection in stores. If you want to simply improve the sound in a stationary computer, then feel free to choose a map of such a form factor.
External options are of order more expensive and their range is not very big. Almost all of them are connected via USB. In some cases, it is impossible to install a built-in sound card, so users remain only to purchase an external model.
I would like to note that there are expensive professional models with the IEEE1394 connection type. Most often, they are equipped with preamplifiers, additional optical inputs and outputs, analog and MIDI inputs.
There are very cheap models, externally they look like a simple flash drive. There are two mini-jack connectors and the add / decreased buttons. Such options are more often used as a temporary plot in the absence or failure of the main card.
Benefits of an external sound card
Why are the external sound cards cost more and what are they better built-in options? Let's deal with this in more detail.
- Best sound quality. The famous fact that sound processing in embedded models is carried out by the codec, often it is very cheap and low-quality. In addition, almost always no support for ASIO, and the number of ports and the absence of a separate digital analog converter lowers the built-in cards even at the level below. Therefore, fans of good sound and owners of high-quality equipment are recommended to purchase a discrete map.
- Additional software. Using software will help you configure the sound individually, to parallelize stereo sound at 5.1 or 7.1. Unique technologies from the manufacturer will help adjust the sound depending on the location of the acoustics, and the ability to configure the surround sound in non-standard rooms.
- Lack of load on the processor. External cards exempt it from performing actions related to signal processing, which will make it possible to get a small performance increase.
- A large number of ports. Most of them are not found in embedded models, such as optical and digital outputs. The same analog outputs are made better and in most cases they are gilded.
The best manufacturers and their
We will not affect cheap built-in sound cards, they produce dozens of companies, and the models themselves do not differ and do not have any features. When choosing a budget integrated option, it is enough to explore its characteristics and read reviews in the online store. And the cheapest and simple external cards produce many Chinese and other unknown companies. In the middle and high price range, Creative and Asus are leading. We will analyze them in more detail.
- Creative. Models of this company more relate to game options. Built-in technology helps to reduce the load on the processor. With playback and recording music cards from Creative also cope well.
As for the software, everything is quite well implemented here. There are basic settings of columns and headphones. In addition, it is possible to add effects, edit the bass level. A mixer and equalizer is available.
See also:
Sound configuration programs
Programs for enhancing sound on a computer
Separately, I want to mention one of the best new external sound cards in its price segment. Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 connects to FireWire, which is due to the choice of professional sound engineers. It supports 52 channels and has on board 20 audio connectors. In Focusrite Saffire, a powerful preamp is installed and there is a phantom food separately for each channel.
Summing up, I would like to note that the presence of a good outer sound card is extremely necessary users with expensive acoustics, high-quality sound lovers and those who write musical instruments. In other cases, there will be a fairly cheap integrated or simpler external option.