Other Options for Sound Control

Not every computer has a sound card. Some motherboards feature integrated audio support instead. A motherboard that has its own DSP can process multiple data streams. It may also support 3-D positional and Dolby surround sound. However, in spite of these features, most reviewers agree that separate sound cards provide better audio quality.

Photo courtesy HowStuffWorks Shopper External sound controller

Laptops usually have integrated sound capabilities on their motherboards or small sound cards. However, space and temperature control considerations make top-of-the-line internal cards impractical. So, laptop users can purchase external sound controllers, which use USB or FireWire connections. These external modules can significantly improve laptop sound quality.

Shopping for a Sound Card Numerous factors affect a sound card's abilities to provide clear, high-quality sound. When shopping for a sound card, pay attention to: ADC and DAC data capacity, measured in bits Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and total harmonic distortion (THD) Frequency response, or how loudly the card can play sounds at different frequencies Sampling rate Output channels, such as 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound Supported application programming interfaces (APIs) Certifications, including Dolby Master and THX Anyone investing in a top-of-the-line sound card should also have high-quality speakers. Even the best sound card cannot compensate for poor speaker quality.

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