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Twenty years ago, PCs had very limited audio capabilities and could barely make a beep. Today, we expect our computers to be able to play audio CDs, DVD movies, music downloaded from the internet, games and more. The modern PC is a fully functional entertainment centre and its audio capabilities are an important consideration. All PCs can produce sounds, but the quality of the audio varies, and while some people may be happy with their current hardware, there are ways of improving it for those who are not. Let’s take a look at an important PC component, the sound card.
What does a sound card do?
Its most basic function is to provide the sockets for speakers to plug into a computer. A basic sound card might only allow a pair of stereo speakers to be plugged in, but top-of-the-range cards can cope with up to eight speakers. A microphone socket is often provided and this can be used to connect to internet telephone services like Skype. There are also line in and line out sockets for connecting the computer to a hi-fi system and there may also be MIDI in and out sockets for musical instruments.
Do I need to upgrade?
If you have a mid-priced or top-end PC, you may be perfectly happy with its sound. However, there are other reasons why you might want to upgrade. For example, some sound cards feature remote controls so you can sit on your sofa and adjust the music without getting up. Few laptops have good sound capabilities, so if you listen to music, watch DVDs or play games on one, an upgrade is essential. Budget PCs sometimes have limited
audio capabilities and will also benefit from an upgrade.
How do I improve the sound?
Upgrading is not the only way of improving a PC’s sound quality – the quality of your speakers will also affect the audio output. Plugging in high-quality speakers will vastly improve your PC’s sound. You can also check ‘Sounds and Audio Devices’ in the Control Panel for advanced audio settings. Remember too that games frequently provide low, medium and high-quality sound settings.
Internal upgrades
A sound card is a small circuit board that plugs into a socket inside the computer. You need to open the PC’s case to install it and software must also be installed to make it work. Before you upgrade, the old sound card could be removed or disabled. If it is a plug-in card, uninstall its software and then open the PC and remove it. However, your sound circuitry may be directly on the motherboard and must be disabled in the BIOS set-up utility – refer to your computer’s documentation if you’re not sure what you’re doing.
