sond cards

Feb 27 2012 - The PC audio card market is much different than it was several years ago. Changes in the way the Windows operating system handles audio and the improvement in built-in audio has shifted the focus of many audio card designs. Now they are much more specialized for certain audio tasks than they were before. After all, a gamer might want different features from someone using their PC with a home theater setup. With this in mind, here are my selections for the best audio cards for different computer audio uses and types of interfaces.

Best Gaming Card - Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D

©Creative Technology Ltd.

One of the big features that gamers look for is support for the EAX audio extensions. Creative was the developer of these audio extension to provide effects to simulate a variety of different environments to provide a more realistic audio experience for games. The most advance version of this is EAX HD that is only supported on Creative's audio cards. Other companies can only support up to EAX 3.0. After many years, Creative has finally released its new Core3D audio processor to replace the venerable X-Fi. With its four audio processor cores, it offers improved audio support for audio effects including THX TruStudio Pro for simulated surround, cyrstalizers and audio adjustments. Another bonus is streamlined drivers compared to the bloated X-Fi packages. There are a few downsides including lack of 7.1 audio and only 92KHz 24-bit audio. Prices are fairly reasonable for the base version around $100.

Best Audiophile Card - ASUS Xonar Essence STX

©ASUSTeK

Audiophiles are interested in getting the best audio quality they can out of their components. The ASUS Xonar Essence STX is probably one of the best consumer level audio cards on the market thanks to its high signal-to-noise ratio, 192KHz/24bit support, superb digital to audio converters and even a built-in headphone amplifier. The audio components also have shielding to ensure that it doesn't receive any interference from other computer components. This provides it with some of the best playback and recording capabilities in a desktop audio card. The card does require an additional 4-pin power connector to provide it with sufficient power. It uses a PCI-Express x1 interface. Priced around $200.

Best General Purpose Card - ASUS Xonar DX 7.1

©ASUSTeK

Many people might want to use their computer for more than just one aspect. Some cards may be better for PC gaming, stereo audio or HTPC setups. What if you want to use your computer for each of these? Or what if you just want to have some better audio than the built-in solution that came with your desktop computer? If this is the case, then the ASUS Xonar DX is an excellent choice. It provides high quality audio along with features such as EAX 3.0 support, Dolby Digital Live output and has high signal-to-noise ratios. It also features DS3D GX 2.0 that lets it emulate higher levels of the EAX extensions. The card does require a 4-pin floppy power connector to properly function and uses the PCI-Express x 1 interface. Priced around $90.

Best PCI Gamer Card - Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme 7.1

Image Courtesy PriceGrabber

As mentioned before, many games are designed with EAX audio extensions to provide high quality, immersive audio for the player. Only Creative audio cards can support the highest level of these extensions, EAX HD. If you happen to have an older system with PCI expansion slots that you are playing PC games on, then the Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtremee 7.1 is the audio card of choice. This card fully supports the EAX HD extensions and provides a high level of audio quality. It isn't as feature rich as some other audio cards but most gamers just require audio outputs and a microphone input. Priced around $50.

Best PCI Audiophile Card - ASUS Xonar Essence ST

©ASUSTeK

Much like the PCI-Express based Xonar Essence STX, the Xonar Essence ST offers many of the same great features and performance but with the PCI interface for use with older computers. This includes the extremely high signal to noise ratio and very low harmonic distortion. Many audiohiles that like to listen with headphones will also be pleased with the built in headphone amplifier for reduced distortion. It fully supports 192KHz/24-bit playback and can even tie into an HDMI compatible video card to pass the audio stream over the same connector. Priced around $200.

Best PCI General Purpose Card - ASUS Xonar DS 7.1

©ASUSTeK

The ASUS Xonar DS 7.1 is essentially the PCI version of the Xonar DX. It uses the same AV200 audio processor that gives it a solid level of audio performance including 24-bit 192KHz support but with slightly less audio quality. It fully supports EAX 3.0 and can emulate the more advanced versions with the DS3D GX 2.5. One big difference between this version and the PCI-Express DX version is that it does not require an additional power connector. Finally, it has a very reasonable price of just $50 making it quite affordable for a nice audio upgrade.

Suggested Reading