Know what you need and how much you have to spendNov 14 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Know your budget and your needs, then apply these criteria to find what you need!
Choosing a soundcard is harder than ever. From digital sound to MIDI, MP3 to Dolby 5.1, game compatibility vs. advanced options... Some PC's come with a sound card built-in. As in buying any product, knowing what you need and how much you have to spend is the best way to proceed. First, let's identify your needs. First, do you need 5.1 surround sound? This is important because it affects (and is affected by) your speaker setup. If you don't have surround speakers, but you plan to upgrade later, then you would want to buy a 5.1 capable card. Otherwise why waste money on features you don't need. Two, do you have a hefty CPU to take advantage of all the latest features on the soundcard? Even as smart as sound cards go, the CPU still need to do processing. You don't get all those great sound effects for free. If you don't have at least a 700 MHz CPU (roughly) you should upgrade your CPU first, THEN worry about the sound card. Three, do you need to connect it to your stereo system? If you do, then you may want to get a sound card with the appropriate connections, like SPDIF digital outputs, or the appropriate RCA plugs, and so on. Four, what slot(s) do you have available for the soundcard? Soundcards use either ISA or PCI slot, and you need to make sure you have the right one available. It's be embarrasing to get the wrong one and find out you can't use it. Fifth, is it compatible with your computer? The Creative Labs SB Live! series and the Audigy series have some problems working with AMD Athlon chipsets. Make sure to read reviews on the card before buying. Sixth, do you have any special needs? If you need to do professional multi-track work, you need a multi-channel sound card (most cards are only "stereo" 2-channel). If you need to do MIDI work like with MIDI synthesizers, you may want to invest in a true MIDI card like a Roland or Yamaha MIDI cards with the appropriate interfaces. Keep in mind that you don't need a "gamer" sound card to play games. While some companies would market certain sound cards to the gaming public, those cards are the SAME cards as the non-game cards. It's mainly a different bundle. It's like cars come with different option packages. You don't need to be a rich guy to afford the "luxury package". Similarly, you don't need "MP3 sound card" to do MP3's. The sound cards currently on the market roughtly falls into four categories: Economy model: simple 16-bit digital sound, stereo, minimal synthesizer channels. Suitable for normal use (including music) and gaming. Cost less than $50. Old SB16/SB512 and generic cards are good examples. Mid-range: advanced game effects (A3D or EAX support), higher number of synthesizer channels. Suitable for normal use and heavy-duty gaming. $50 to $150. Examples would be SB Audigy Gamer/MP3, SB Live! X-Gamer/MP3, etc. High-end: advanced game effects, 5.1 surround, front-panel attachments for things like sound, optical output, USB port, etc. Suitable for advanced music/sound/game users. $150 to $250. SB Live! Platinum / SB Audigy Platinum Ex are prime examples. Specialized: multi-channel recording, true MIDI synthesizer, and so on. Above $250. Roland / Yamaha / Guillemot makes special cards for those purposes. In conclusion, consider your needs, consult this handy chart, and make your choice. Happy computing!  |
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