Sound cards are in form of chips which are integrated on the motherboard of your computer system. This integrated chip helps in obtaining audio output from your system enabling to accomplish various sound based tasks. Since, the sound card is a crucial component which completes the functionality of a computer system, it is essential to pick the right kind of sound card or audio card for your computer. For your assistance, the following article will focus on important aspects that will help you obtain a practical and suitable sound or audio card.
Interface or Technology:
While buying any computer component, it is essential to ensure that the computer component is compatible with the system. Hence, considering the interface or the technology on which the component is designed can help you obtain a simpatico part run with your system. Similarly, while buying a sound card it is essential to match the technology or interface with that of you system’s motherboard. There are two common types of technology which serves as the base of most sound cards that are available in the market today namely ISA and PCI.
ISA: ISA cards are cards which were initially introduced and are older technology as compared to PCI technology. ISA is the abbreviation of Industry Standard Architecture and was released in the year 1981 by IBM. Sound Cards based on ISA technology are mostly cheaper now and are not so popular. People who have systems working on ISA technology purchase these ISA sound cards.
PCI: PCI or Peripheral Component Interface sound cards are advanced cards which are widely seen in market today. Since, most computer systems utilize PCI sound card technology, most people with latest computer look for PCI interface. This technology was introduced in the 1993 by Intel. Most motherboards nowadays have PCI slots which serve as a standard connectivity option for sound cards. The reason why PCI slots are competent as compared with ISA slots is that PCI can handle 64 bit of data whereas ISA can only handle half of it which is 32 bit data.
While purchasing a sound card, it is essential to check whether your computer motherboard already has a compatible sound implanted. There are fair chances that you may get a sound card already installed on your motherboard, if not then you may have to buy a compatible sound card for your system. These types of sound card are also called as “on-board sound card”.
Once you have determined what type of soundcard will be suitable for your motherboard you need to determine other features of your sound which are also decisive factors while buying a sound card.
- Speaker connections: It is essential to determine whether speaker connections offered through the sound cards are sufficient for your use. Most people using more than one set of speakers may require extra S/PDIF ports. Sound cards usually have different ports serving different purposes. Usually the use of the ports are indicated in colors for example pink colored SPDIF port would generally be used for Microphone Input, a black colored port would connect to a Subwoofer/ Center where as a green colored port would serve the headphone or Front Speakers Left and Right. Likewise there are other ports with different color codes used for different functions. Hence, you should determine the nature of your use and select a spound card with sufficient ports for connection.
- Available Midi Port: Sound cards also provide a specialized port for gamming purpose technically known as Midi Port and commonly referred to as Game Port. This game port can be an integrated as post 1990 almost all computers have game port already installed. It can be based on either of the technology PCI or ISA.
- Microphone Connection: Usually all sound cards come with SPDIF port for Microphone connection. As mentioned early, port for mic will generally be in pink color, depending upon the manufacturer. You need not by any additional hardware to connect your mic.
- Full Duplex: As computers are nowadays used for online voice chat purposes it is essential for the computer sound card to support Full Duplex technology. This technology allows the devices to play as well as record sound at the same time. It is helpful for competently communicating over internet using VoIP.
- 3-D acceleration in sound: 3-D acceleration is very useful for games and is available in three types namely DirectSound 3D, EAX and A3D. Hence while buying a soundcard it is essential to ask about 3D acceleration.
- Cost: Cost is something that most people would give the first preference when it comes to buying computer products. The cost of a Sound card may evidently vary on different factor such as manufacturer, technology used and features offered. However, an average soundcard will cost you around $200 to $300.
Some other consideration:
Warranty: Warranty is something that one should always consider when buying any commodity especially when it comes to electronic goods. This will help you save the money which you would have otherwise spent in repairing the component when it stops functioning. This is because when your device is under warranty then you are eligible for free or economical service based on the conditions.
Customer support: Most people wisely consider customer support when they buy sound cards. It is evident that electronic good are more prone to technical malfunctions; for assistance on basic troubleshooting which can be accomplished on phone you would require a customer support number which may help you rectify common issues. However, you should determine whether the company offers round the clock customer support for all seven days a week also ask whether the number they offer is toll free or premium based.
Make sure you buy a branded sound card from an authorized dealer who is well established in the industry. There are some dealers who also install the sound card for you on your system. However, if you are trying install the sound card on your own then it is essential to take experts assistance while accomplish the task. For assistance on installation of sound card you can refer to our Sound Card Installation Guide
