The Most Affordable Sound Cards for Budget Builds

If you're building a budget PC, you probably don't want to spend a lot of money on a sound card. However, if you care about audio quality, you don't want to rely on the sound chips built into your motherboard either. So, what are your options? In this article, we'll take a look at the most affordable sound cards for budget builds.

What is a Sound Card?

Before we dive into the best options for budget builds, let's first discuss what a sound card actually is. A sound card is a piece of hardware that processes audio signals and converts them into sound that you can hear through your speakers or headphones. Most modern motherboards have a built-in sound chip that serves this purpose, but these chips are often of low quality and can introduce unwanted electrical noise or distortion. A dedicated sound card, on the other hand, can provide higher quality audio output with less interference. It can also offer features such as surround sound, headphone amplification, and EQ settings that aren't available with built-in sound chips. However, not all sound cards are created equal, and some can be quite expensive.

What to Look for in a Budget Sound Card

When shopping for a budget sound card, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, you'll want to look for a card that is compatible with your motherboard and operating system. Most sound cards connect to your motherboard via a PCI or PCIe slot, but some external USB options are also available. You'll also want to consider the audio output quality. Look for a card with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and low distortion. Higher-end cards may also offer more advanced audio processing features, but these will likely be outside of your budget. Finally, you'll want to consider any additional features that may be important to you, such as support for surround sound or a built-in headphone amplifier.

The Most Affordable Sound Cards

Now that we've covered what to look for, let's take a look at the most affordable sound cards on the market today.

• ASUS Xonar DSX PCIe 7.1 Sound Card

  The Xonar DSX from ASUS is a PCIe sound card that offers 7.1-channel audio output. It has a high SNR of 107dB and supports Dolby Home Theater technologies. It also features a built-in headphone amplifier and comes with a low-profile bracket for use in small form factor PCs. At around $50, it's an excellent budget option for anyone looking to improve their audio quality.

• Creative Sound Blaster Audigy RX PCIe 7.1 Sound Card

  The Sound Blaster Audigy RX from Creative is another PCIe sound card that offers 7.1-channel audio output. It has a lower SNR of 106dB than the Xonar DSX, but still provides high-quality audio output. It also includes a built-in headphone amplifier and supports EAX Advanced HD 5.0 technology for more immersive gaming audio. At around $60, it's slightly more expensive than the Xonar DSX but still a great budget option.

• UGREEN USB Sound Card External Converter

  If you're looking for a more portable option, the UGREEN USB Sound Card is an external USB converter that provides high-quality audio output. It supports stereo and 7.1-channel audio output and has a low distortion of 0.008%. It's also plug-and-play, so you don't need to install any drivers. At under $20, it's the most affordable option on our list.

Conclusion

While built-in sound chips may be sufficient for some users, dedicated sound cards can provide higher quality audio output for those who care about their audio quality. The most affordable options on the market today are the ASUS Xonar DSX, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy RX, and UGREEN USB Sound Card. These cards offer excellent audio output quality and additional features such as headphone amplification and surround sound. Whether you're a gamer, music lover, or just want better audio quality from your PC, these budget sound cards are an excellent investment.

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