Do you need a Sound card?

Keod2 · 30 Dec 2011 at 14:11

Do motherboards have a sound card already in them, or do you have to buy one separately. If you don't need to buy one separately, will you notice the difference in sound quality not having a sound cad?

Sorry if this a stupid question I have no idea about this sort of thing

Marsman · 30 Dec 2011 at 14:19

I've got one thanks. In fact, I have more than one.

Motherboards have what is known as onboard audio/sound, hence the audio connections on the board.

As for noticing a difference in sound quality between onboard and a sound card. That depends on what speakers or headphones are being used. Also depends on the user, some people find it harder to distinguish between onboard and a sound card, even with fairly decent speakers/headphones.

Keod2 · 30 Dec 2011 at 14:38

Thanks thats helped me lots

Marsman · 30 Dec 2011 at 15:22

I think the majority of people do find a sound card to be better, as long as the speakers or headphones being used are good enough, but as I said, there are some who can't tell. Until you've compared onboard audio to a sound card, it's impossible to know whether you will hear the difference.

If you've got fairly decent speakers, or any decent headphones, then you'd stand a much better chance of hearing any difference.

For someone using £20 speakers or headsets, then I'd say there's no point, and best to stick with onboard audio.

IronWarrior · 30 Dec 2011 at 17:49

A sound card will always improve audio just as a graphics card will improve video.

Like the above posters have said, it depends on you and what equipment you already have.

I always believe you will get better sound even if you have cheap speakers or headphones, but once you link them to some decent stuff, it really does work well.