Have you seen or even heard of a new computer without a sound card today?Yet many pc users,even owners of new systems upgrade their sound card. Why you ask? Many new computers come with an integrated sound card.This means that the sound card is really a chip mounted right onto the motherboard.This type of sound card is of poor quality and sound. Installing a new dedicated sound card in an empty expansion bay will greatly improve the quality and sound of anything you listen to on your computer,especially those awesome in depth games you play. Before deciding to upgrade your sound card, you should know the type of sound card you have and its capability. You should know if your current sound card is integrated or if its inserted into a adapter slot in the system unit.

Its rather easy to find this information from your PC by clicking on Start,Control Panel,click on Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices. Now Click on Sounds and Audio Devices and click on the Hardware Tab.Whew,that's a lot of clicking isn't it. But you can find this information without going through the hassle of opening your computer or its owner's manual.If you see a device with the phrase "Integrated Digital Audio" then you have an integrated sound chip on your motherboard. Games are no doubt the first reason for sound card upgrades.Nearly all games support 3D audio APIs or Application Program Interface.This technology use surround sound through your sound card. Two of the most popular APIs are Microsoft's DirectX and Creative Lab's EAX.When upgrading don't overlook the type of speakers you have.You will cripple that awesome new sound card if your speakers are the pits.