This article is the best guide to knowing everything as regards using sound cards. Technology keeps improving daily, for instance, before people usually owned a separate sound card to enjoy quality sound from their PC. 20 years and counting now, things have changed, computers now come with sound cards built into the motherboard. Therefore it’s understandable people wonder if the inbuilt sound card is enough or if they should get a separate one.
There’s no straight yes and no answer to the question. This is because the situation where a computer user will need a sound card depends on the user’s needs. Someone using the computer to browse and receive emails doesn’t need a sound card. Dive into the article to know who needs sound cards!
Meaning & Functionality Of Sound Cards
The best way to know why there are sound cards is to know what sound cards are and their functions. A sound card gets digital data from the CPU to change into analog sound which people can hear via speakers and headphones.
A sound card is one of the many computer devices. It possesses a processor used for sounds alone that people incorporate into their computers. To improve the sound system of their computer.
Yes, most computers come with sound cards incorporated into them. It’s either in the form of a separate device one can connect to their computer using a cable to an IO port. Or in the form of an expansion card inbuilt into the computer via a PCIe x1 slot.
Functions Of Sound Cards
The functions of sound cards help to explicitly reveal the computer users that need to get a sound card. They include;
#1. Sound cards grant computer users a digital audio signal needed for soundbars and amplifiers.
#2. It is a great tool for producing and recording music.
#3. Sound cards help to provide a wonderful and clear noise playing time during video games.
#4. The sound cards have software that lets computer users adjust settings such as audio quality, EQ, and surround settings.
#5. This wonderful computer tool can receive input signals such as low-level audio lines and a microphone. Which changes to digital for the computer to process and store data for the user.
Who Needs A Sound Card?
Its functions have shown beyond doubt that music producers are the major people that need to have a separate sound card. In addition to the one available as an inbuilt into their computer.
Sound cards provide premium playing time for gamers as well. However, it isn’t necessary, especially if the gamer is on a budget. It’s only suited for avid game lovers ready to spend any amount of money to get premium playing time.
Someone using the computer to record doesn’t need a sound card, a microphone is well suited for the job. The only time they’ll need an external sound card is when their microphone lacks the built-in DAC (digital to analog converter).
Additionally, a streaming content creator needing a higher quality sound to stream audio needs an external sound card. Perhaps the creator can’t afford the sound cards. They can settle for the latest version of the microphone for an excellent recording.
How To Locate The Inbuilt Sound Card?
Yet again, every modern computer comes with an internal sound card. Users will either find theirs incorporated into the motherboard or in the PCL/PCle expansion slot.
The user that wants to check out their sound card should check the back of the tower. Users with sound cards incorporated into the motherboard will find ports beside the mouse, keyboard, and USB connections.
As for a sound card incorporated as a PCl/PCle expansion. They’ll find the port in the downward part of the computer. Or find it lying separate from other parts of the computer.
Meaning Of The Different Colours Of The Sound Cards Ports
Sound card ports come in different colors and each of the colors stands for a specific function. They include;
- Pink stands for Microphone input.
- The black color port indicates the rear surround sound.
- Orange color ports are for the subwoofer output.
- Green stands for the speaker or headphone output; whichever suits the user.
- Gold/Grey colors mean the MIDI/ the game port.
- The blue color stands for the audio input line.
- The yellow color indicates the digital output.
Step By Step Guide To Know The Kind Of Sound Card Your PC Possesses
Most users will be curious to know the specific type of sound card their computer possesses. Below are three straightforward ways to know the type of sound card one possesses. They are as follows:
The Use Of System Data
Without further ado, the user should;
- Open the window OS and long press the windows key then tap R.
- Tapping on the R key opens the Run dialogue box. There’s a box next to Open, they should input msinfo32.exe into the box and click Ok. This will open up the system’s data.
- The user should take a look at the left-hand side of the box, they’ll find components. They should have + a box that’s near the components.
- What will pop up next is an array of the components of the computer. The focus is the sound cards. So they should stroll till they find the Sound device option.
- The Sound device is below the multimedia option, they should tap on it after locating it.
- This opens up every information available on the installed sound card. The information available comprises PNP Device ID, name, status, and manufacturer. As well as the kind of driver the device uses.
- If there’s more than one sound card. The information menu will showcase information about other sound cards/sound cards as well.
Using The Search Box
Here’s how to find out the type of sound card available via the search bar;
- Every window OS possesses a search box. it is usually at the downward left corner of the windows OS logo. the user should locate theirs and input Device manager on the search box.
- After inputting the Device manager, they should click the Search icon.
- Search results will suffice next, they should select the device manager located in the right-hand box.
- This opens up the device management dialogue box. They should take a mouse stroll downward till they locate sound, game controllers, and video.
- With their mouse, they should choose to expand the arrow close to the sound, game controllers, and video icon.
- This further opens up a list of audio devices including sound cards installed into the computer. Double-clicking on a device will provide facts about it. Including its name, if it is functioning properly, the driver information, details, and any events registered with it.
Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool
Follow the steps below to find out the kind of sound card available on your personal computer;
- Tap and hold on the windows icon then tap R on the window OS as usual.
- This showcases the run dialogue box.
- The user should input dxdiag and then click on Ok next. The dxdiag is on the box close to the open tab.
- There’s a possibility of a box popping up at this junction. Asking the user if they want to check to be sure their drivers are digitally signed.
- They should tap the No option then the DirectX diagnostic tool will start loading immediately. They should be patient enough to wait for at most one minute for the complete loading of the tool.
- A loaded DirectX diagnostic tool will showcase four tabs at the top right of the screen.
- The third tab signifies Sound which is the focus. They should tap on it so they can see every information available about the Sound card.
- They’ll find the status of their device at the downward part of the window and that settles it.
Is Sound Card Necessary For Lossless Audio?
The sound card is very much necessary for lossless audio. Digital audio comes in three different files, namely the compressed lossless, compressed lossy, and uncompressed audio files.
To have a smooth experience and enjoy the lossless audio to the fullest. The user needs an upgraded sound card because they keep every frequency that the original signal analog generates. As such it is only a sound card that’s capable of creating those needed frequencies.
Conclusion
In the end, the answer to if one needs a sound card depends on one’s choices. Most times, the microphone and the inbuilt sound card are enough for most functions. However, people capable enough can purchase sound cards to get the best experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. Does one with a GPU need a sound card?
No, a user with a GPU doesn’t need a sound card. One can either use an audio processor on their motherboard or in their graphics.
#2. Does possessing many sound cards have disadvantages?
Yes, having many sound cards on a computer has disadvantages. It can crowd the computer as well as clutter a workstation.
#3. Can sound cards become hot?
Indeed, sound cards can become hot as a result of a faulty fan in the computer. Regardless, sound cards shouldn’t become hot or get overheated, it’s dangerous.
