computer sound cards now become a common component in the computer systems.Many novice users do not even realize that there may be some other way.But only some fifteen years ago, every computer owner, who wanted to hear the program does not beep system speaker and real sound (and even the voices of people in multimedia applications!), Was forced to buy the audio adapter.Moreover, sound cards require the study of the principle of setting the DMA channels and interrupt the selection according to the bus parameters of the prescription files.In addition, the first models cost quite expensive.As a result, sound cards were installed only in enthusiast.And what is the situation now?
Constructive solutions
All existing sound cards can be divided into three main types:
- Discrete models.Perhaps it can be called a classic.This card is a relatively small PCB with placed on it and a group of electronic components sliding contacts for connecting to the corresponding bus of the motherboard.Since they are installed in the system unit, sometimes called the internal;
- Integrated (onboard, integrated).This model is soldered to the motherboard chip, and several auxiliary piping elements that performs all the basic functions of the classical sound card;
- Exterior.The most common are devices connected to a port USB.
Features embedded solutions
Very often, people only remotely confronted with the nuances of the computer sound, the question arises about the practical differences between sound cards.After all, all the same model features are not the main important difference.The least expensive solutions presented built-in maps.The real value of the sound chip is 1 to $ 10 (for comparison, the youngest in the line of discrete sound card manufacturer Asus Xonar offered almost $ 40).In addition, first-class sound know that due to the dense arrangement of the components on the motherboard inevitably arise mutual electrical interferences affecting the "purity" of play.Although this can be solved by dropping the analog output to digital, the latter is inappropriate to apply a similar inexpensive cards.And finally, we must remember that most of the flow of processing operations performed by the driver for your sound card using the power of the CPU.Thus, the built-in card is the perfect solution for someone who does not want to spend money to buy a separate audio adapter, and does not consider himself a true music lover.
nuances of discrete models
Currently, the most relevant solutions for the bus PCI-Express.These cards, even the average cost, already contain "on board" a full-fledged specialized processor that handles data flow, relieving central.Most digital models have many more options (such as support for ASIO), than the built-in counterparts.The sound quality is usually much higher than the onboard solutions.When you select should be remembered that every additional card inside the case worsens air circulation, potentially breaking heat.Furthermore, power consumption is higher than the built-in maps.
external sound card
These devices can be divided into two groups: the cheap, in fact, represents the same chip as in the onboard solution, but "sitting" on the bus USB;and professional high-end cards.
