Apart from that, its integrated 300ohm headphone amplifier makes for an immersive sound output with well-defined bass. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Read all about them, and make an informed decision! 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.

To help you out, we've detailed some of the finest PC sound cards/amplifiers in the market. 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.Ĭhoosing the right sound card for your system can be a daunting task, since there are dozens of them out there. It's even more important if you use your setup for specialized tasks such as competitive gaming or music production. 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.

Perhaps this is why a great sound card is essential for any modern-day PC. They are used for listening to music, watching videos, and even playing games. For a vast majority of users these days, computers aren't just productivity-focused tools, but also entertainment-centric gadgets.

Windows best sound cards