Sound Cards Buyers Guide
Key Features
| Key Features | | | Compatible Audio Standards | | | Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) | | | Output Mode |
| | With over 200 sound cards on the market, key features such as Compatible Audio Standards, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) & Output Mode are important factors when buying. These features not only effect the performane and quality of the sound card you choose, but also the price. Shown below are price guides for a selection of sound cards focusing on the key features: Compatible Audio Standards, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) & Output Mode. |
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| Compatible Audio Standards | | AC-3 ? Dolby Digital EX ? A3D ? EAX | £9.00 | | DirectSound ? A3D ? EAX | £23.00 | | PCM ? AC-3 ? DTS ? DirectSound ? A3D ? SRS TruSurround XT ? SRS Circle Surround II | £48.00 | | PCM ? AC-3 ? DTS | £99.00 | | PCM ? AC-3 ? DTS-ES ? Dolby Digital EX ? ASIO 2 ? EAX | £141.00 | | * | ASIO 2 | £121.00 |
| | | Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) | | 102 dB | £23.00 | | 104 dB | £72.00 | | 101.5 dB | £114.00 | | 110 dB | £146.00 | | 120 dB | £194.00 | | * | 110 dB | £146.00 |
| | | Output Mode | | 4.1 Channel Surround | £14.00 | | AC-3 (Dolby Digital) | £103.00 | | Stereo / Fourpoint | £124.00 | | Stereo | £146.00 | | * | 7.1 Channel Surround | £104.00 |
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* Taking into account all current sound cards on the market the most desirable would be a sound card with ASIO 2 Compatible Audio Standards, 110 dB Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and 7.1 Channel Surround Output Mode.
Price Guide
| Min | £8.34 | | Avg | £136.59 | | Max | £1,572.51 |
| | Sound Cards cost anywhere from £8.34 for a basic sound card with few features to around £1,572.51 for a fully featured sound card. |
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Brand Guide
| Popular Brands | | | M-Audio | | | Creative Labs | | | Creative | | | Terratec | | | Edirol | | | Trust |
| | The most popular sound cards brand is M-Audio. The most expensive sound cards brand is Digidesign. If you're looking for a bargain then look out for PIXMANIA branded sound cards as generally they offer the cheapest sound cards. |
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