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%Begin The 6 Best PC Sound Cards of 2022 Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Best Products > Computer Components 121 121 people found this article helpful
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Tweet Share Email Computer Components Monitors Keyboards Mice Cards CPU USB/USB-C Storage Laptop Bags & Backpacks Printers For a vast majority of users these days, computers aren't just productivity-focused tools, but also entertainment-centric gadgets. They are used for listening to music, watching videos, and even playing games.
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Perhaps this is why a great sound card is essential for any modern-day PC. Although the basic onboard solutions found in most PCs get the job done, you need a dedicated sound card to take your computer's audio experience to the next level. It's even more important if you use your setup for specialized tasks such as competitive gaming or music production.
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These expansion cards usually come with features like integrated amplifiers, DACs for encoding/decoding audio, and a diverse range of I/O and connectivity options. Choosing the right sound card for your system can be a daunting task, since there are dozens of them out there.
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To help you out, we've detailed some of the finest PC sound cards/amplifiers in the market. Among these are PCIe-based options (best suited for desktops) such as ASUS Essence STX II, as well as USB-powered models (ideal for laptops, and even gaming consoles) like Creative Sound BlasterX G6.
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Read all about them, and make an informed decision! The Rundown Best Overall:
Creative Sound Blaster Z at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget:
ASUS Xonar SE at Amazon Jump to Review Best Lighting:
EVGA NU Audio Card at Amazon Jump to Review Best Controller:
Creative Sound Blaster AE-7 at Amazon Jump to Review Best External:
Creative Sound BlasterX G6 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Compact:
FiiO E10K at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks About Our Trusted Experts What to Look for in a PC Sound Card
Best Overall: Creative Sound Blaster Z
3.3 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Sears.com What We Like Lots of connectivity options Integrated beamforming microphone What We Don't Like Annoying red LED lighting Offering a plethora of features at a reasonable price, Creative's Sound Blaster Z is easily among the best PC sound cards you can buy. It comes with a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 116dB and can output audio at 24-bit/192kHz, allowing you to enjoy high-resolution music in all its glory.
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There's also Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) support for reduced audio latency, and the card's dedicated "Sound Core3D" audio processor works great for enhancing the overall sound/voice quality without taxing the computer's primary CPU. As far as connectivity and I/O are concerned, the Sound Blaster Z sports a total of five gold-plated 3.5mm audio ports and two TOSLINK ports, so you can connect everything from headphones to home theater system(s) and enjoy high-fidelity immersive digital audio.
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The PCIe sound card also comes bundled with a beamforming microphone that suppresses outside noise and creates an acoustic zone, thus resulting in improved voice clarity. “Having goodies like ASIO support, dedicated audio processing, and noise suppression in a sensibly-priced package, Creative Sound Blaster Z brings a lot to the table.” — Rajat Sharma, Product Tester
Best Budget: ASUS Xonar SE Gaming Sound Card
Amazon View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Affordable price Low-profile bracket ideal for small cases What We Don't Like No ASIO support Not everyone can (or wants to) spend a fortune on top-tier computing hardware, and if that includes you, ASUS' Xonar SE is just what you need.
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This budget PC sound card features a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 116dB and supports high-resolution audio playback (5.1 channel) at up to 24-bit/192kHz. Apart from that, its integrated 300ohm headphone amplifier makes for an immersive sound output with well-defined bass.
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The card is manufactured using exclusive "Hyper Grounding" fabrication technology, which reduces distortion/interference and ensures better signal insulation. Talking about connectivity and I/O options, the Xonar SE includes four 3.5mm audio ports, one S/PDIF port (with TOSLINK), as well as a front audio header.
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The PCIe sound card is powered by a Cmedia 6620A audio processor, and comes with a low-profile bracket that allows it to be installed in smaller cases without any issues. Its audio parameters (e.g. equalizer profiles, level balancing) can be easily configured via the companion software application.
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Best Lighting: EVGA 712-P1-AN01-KR NU Audio Card
5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy What We Like Made from top-quality components Passive heatsink with copper shielding What We Don't Like Driver support isn't the best If you're on the hunt for a powerhouse sound card for your gaming rig, look no further than EVGA's NU Audio 712-P1-AN01-KR. Boasting customizable 10-mode RGB lighting that reacts to audio output, this thing looks as amazing as it works. It has a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 123dB, and supports high-quality audio recording/playback at up to 32-bit/384kHz.
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Made from premium components such as the AKM AK4493 Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), the XMOS xCORE-200 Digital Signal Processor (DSP), as well as audio-grade capacitors and resistors, the PCIe sound card delivers incredibly clear and immersive sound quality. For connectivity and I/O, you get two 3.5mm audio ports, a 6.3mm audio port, RCA L/R ports, and an S/PDIF (with TOSLINK passthrough) port. The NU Audio 712-P1-AN01-KR features a 16-600ohm headphone amplifier (with independent analog control), and its companion software program lets you configure everything from virtual surround to equalizer settings with little to no effort.
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Engineered by UK’s Audio Note and offering features like switchable op-amps, EVGA’s NU Audio 712-P1-AN01-KR gives you best-in-class audio performance.” — Rajat Sharma, Product Tester
Best Controller: Creative Sound Blaster AE-7
B&H View On Amazon What We Like Handy controller unit with audio ports Individual amplification for each channel What We Don't Like Unintuitive software Hands down one of the most powerful PC sound cards available out there, Creative's Sound Blaster AE-7 boasts a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 127dB and supports 32-bit/384kHz audio playback. There's also an integrated 600ohm headphone amplifier, working alongside the ESS SABRE-class 9018 Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) to output rich (5.1 channel for speakers and 7.1 channel for headphones) surround sound. However, the card's best feature is its companion "Audio Control Module" unit, which allows you to effortlessly adjust the volume level using a convenient knob.
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In addition to that, it also has a built-in microphone array, two 3.5mm audio ports, and two 6.3mm audio ports for hassle-free I/O and connectivity. Speaking of which, the Sound Blaster AE-7, itself, comes with five 3.5mm audio ports and a TOSLINK port.
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The PCIe sound card is powered by a dedicated "Sound Core3D" audio processor, and you can adjust a wide array of settings (e.g. recording resolution, encoding format) via its companion software utility. “If you’re tired of sound cards having hard-to-reach ports and cumbersome controls, Creative’s Sound Blaster AE-7 is just what you need.” — Rajat Sharma, Product Tester The 9 Best Headphones of 2022
Best External: Creative Sound BlasterX G6
Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Works with a multitude of devices Special gaming-oriented mode What We Don't Like Disappointing mic input Even though internal sound cards work great, they are limited only to PCs because of their PCIe expansion bus interface.
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However, that's not an issue with Creative's Sound BlasterX G6, as it's powered via USB. This essentially means that, in addition to laptops and desktops, you can also hook it up to gaming consoles like Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
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Featuring an integrated Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) and a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 130dB, it supports 32-bit/384kHz high fidelity audio. The external sound card also includes a discrete 600ohm headphone amplifier, which amplifies both audio channels individually. In terms of connectivity and I/O options, the Sound BlasterX G6 comes with two 3.5mm audio ports, two Optical TOSLINK ports, and a microUSB port.
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You get a single side-mounted dial for easily controlling both gameplay audio and mic volume, and the companion software program can be used to adjust everything from Dolby Digital effects to noise reduction settings. The 8 Best Current Gaming Consoles of 2022 by Lifewire
Best Compact: FiiO E10K
Amazon View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video View On EBay What We Like Lightweight yet premium design One-click Bass boost What We Don't Like Questionable long-term reliability Measuring around 3.14 x 1.93 x 0.82 inches and weighing just 2.75 ounces, FiiO's E10K is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. But don't let that compact size fool you, as this thing is absolutely wonderful.
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It's worth mentioning here that it's not a sound card, but a portable Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that can decode 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio without breaking a sweat. This is made possible by its new PCM5102 chip, which enhances the internal digital filter's linearity for superior sound output. You also get a Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of 108dB, while the new LMH6643 op-amp inside turns the unit into a 150ohm headphone amplifier.
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As far as I/O and connectivity go, the E10K comes with two 3.5mm audio ports, a coaxial audio port, and a MicroUSB port. Some other noteworthy features include a convenient volume control dial and a slim aluminum case with a brushed metal finish. “Packed with features like high fidelity audio decoding and trouble-free amplification, FiiO’s E10K belies its diminutive form factor.” — Rajat Sharma, Product Tester Final Verdict Even though all of the PC sound cards detailed above are awesome in their own right, our top pick is Creative's Sound Blaster Z.
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Despite having a modest price tag, it offers numerous features like ASIO support, hi-res audio output, and even a dedicated audio processing chip. If you'd rather have something that's a bit simpler to use and doesn't require opening your PC's tower, go for Creative's Sound BlasterX G6 (view at Amazon).
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It works with not just computers (both desktops and laptops), but also modern gaming consoles.
About Our Trusted Experts
As a technology journalist with more than seven years (and counting) of experience in the field, Rajat Sharma has tested and reviewed dozens of gadgets over the course of his career so far. Before Lifewire, he has worked as a senior technology writer/editor with two of India's biggest media houses - The Times Group and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited.
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FAQ Why does my PC need a sound card? Nearly all modern computers (desktops and laptops) available in the market feature integrated (on the motherboard) audio functionality, which ensures that both built-in (e.g. speakers) and external (e.g.
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earphones) work as intended. But even though this setup works well, it's extremely basic.
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If you want to use your PC with high-end gear like studio headphones and home theater systems, you need a sound card capable of driving all this additional hardware. It's also important if you want to fully enjoy high-resolution lossless music.
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Should I go for an internal or an external sound card? Generally speaking, internal sound cards are more powerful. They plug in directly into your desktop PC's motherboard, and offer features like switchable op-amp chips and a plethora of connectivity ports.
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However, if your target device is a laptop PC (or a gaming console), external sound cards are the way to go. Can I install/set up the sound card myself? Installing most internal sound cards isn't that hard, since you just have to plug them in your motherboard's expansion slot.
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External sound cards are even easier to set up, as they are usually powered via a USB port. In both cases, you also have to configure the associated drivers (if any) to get things up and running.
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What to Look for in a PC Sound Card
Audio quality - The overall audio quality of a sound card is an extremely complicated equation that takes into account things like signal-to-noise ratio, frequency response, and total harmonic distortion. You generally want a sound card with signal-to-noise ratio over 100dB, but the best sound cards are in the 124dB range, which is a significant improvement.
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Channels - A lot of decent, budget-friendly sound cards typically support 5.1 channel audio, but you can spend a little more to get one that can handle 7.1 surround sound. Some are even capable of upmixing 5.1 channel audio to 7.1, which is great if your headphones support 7.1 channels and your audio sources don’t. Connectivity - Look for a sound card that has the jacks you need to plug in all of your equipment.
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Basic sound cards have 3.5mm jacks that work fine with most headphones and headsets, but look for one with RCA jacks or a TOSLINK optical connection if you’re hooking up to audio equipment that requires those types of connections. Was this page helpful?
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