Best Internal Sound Cards of 2025

"Back in the 90s, I relied on SoundBlaster cards due to the absence of onboard audio for speakers. As motherboards evolved, I enjoyed decent surround sound, but recently faced issues with my 6-year-old onboard audio. After researching, I decided to upgrade to the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy FX. The improvement in clarity, range, and immersion while gaming was astonishing! I'll never return to cheap onboard audio. Just like investing in a quality video card, this sound card is a must for serious gamers!"

"Setting up my gaming room was exciting, and I finally had a chance to utilize my surround sound system. However, while using the spdif out on my older motherboard, the sound was quite weak, particularly from the subwoofer. Frustrated, I purchased this sound card. After installation, I faced some challenges with the crossover settings, but once I adjusted those to 80hz and switched my speakers to full size, the sound transformed! Now, my audio experience is incredible, and I'm thoroughly enjoying my games in a whole new way!"

"Buena tarjeta de sonido y además a un buen precio, 5.1 canales de salida."

"I've found this card works exceptionally well, especially compared to others I've tried. Installation was smooth upon boot, and the drivers I downloaded were already up to date. The sound is super clear with just the right amplification for my headphones. I’ve had no issues with sound quality or noise, and the microphone port is also very clear. Overall, I've definitely gotten my money's worth."

"I initially struggled to get this sound card working with Ubuntu 20.04 LTS. After much effort, I upgraded to Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, and it worked perfectly. The sound quality is much better than my previous digital adapter. I wouldn't recommend using it on other Linux distributions, but it’s been easy to use with Ubuntu 22.04 and even with the latest version. I’m very pleased with the quality and ease of use!"

"This card was a cheap fix for my Windows 11 setup since my motherboard lacked an SPDIF interface. It worked right out of the box without needing to install any drivers. I just had to set the default audio output, and it filled my audio needs perfectly. No complaints from my end!"

"After using the Creative Sound Blaster Z SE, I've realized it's a gem. Finding an audio card with optical out and 5.1 passthrough is tough, but this card does it effortlessly. I was worried about replacing my old Zonar Essence STX, but this card's musicality is surprisingly pure, and it plays 5.1 through the same optical port, which is a huge convenience. I highly recommend it for both music lovers and enthusiasts!"

"This sound card is fantastic for listening to stereo music. The 96/24 resolution works perfectly with my PC music player, and the sound quality is wonderful when I use it with stereo speakers for Netflix. Installation was a breeze, although I found the settings on Windows 11 a bit tricky to navigate. Overall, it’s definitely worth the price for its sharp design."

"I purchased this sound card and can confidently say that Realtek has nothing on it. It’s a great value at $88, and after downloading the software, I was amazed at how incredible it sounds. I paired it with some Audio Technica headphones, and I'm thrilled with the experience. It’s a fantastic investment for anyone wanting to upgrade their audio!"

"I built a new computer with a Gigabyte motherboard, but it lacked the standard audio jacks for my 5.1 Logitech speakers. I opted for the Audigy RX sound card because of its decent features at an affordable price. The installation was straightforward; I simply plugged it in, and Windows recognized it immediately. With the Creative control software, I was able to customize the settings. I haven't experienced any low-quality sound; it performs just as well as any other sound card I've used. Overall, I highly recommend the Audigy RX for anyone needing an add-on sound card."

"After changing my PC setup, I was eager to get my 5.1 surround sound system back. I tried several products, but none worked well until I tried the Audigy RX. The installation was easy, and the sound quality was a significant improvement over my motherboard's onboard sound. I can now enjoy clean, distortion-free audio, even at higher volumes. The only downside is the Creative software, which feels a bit outdated but still functions well. Overall, this card is a great investment for anyone wanting better sound without the hassle of a new motherboard."

"I had been struggling with poor sound quality on my PC until I decided to try the Sound Blaster. The improvement was incredible—the audio quality went from dull to vibrant. Installation was quick, just connect and install the drivers. I also noticed a difference with my cheaper speakers; while they still sound hollow, they are much better with the Sound Blaster than before. I initially bought it just to try, but now I can’t imagine not using it, especially with my more expensive speakers. Definitely a worthwhile purchase!"

"I put this on a Gigabyte X670 AORUS ELITE AX WiFi board because the onboard sound card didn't have an optical out plug. The sound output is very clear, and I'm using a decent sound bar with a dedicated subwoofer. I had to select the 'Digital Output (S/PDIF) - XONAR SOUND CARD' option manually, but it worked great. I think it would perform very well with high-end headphones based on the sound range and volume."

"Running Windows 10 with the latest drivers, the Xonar AE delivers the best gaming quality sound compared to onboard audio. I built a new gaming PC and had to skip the sound card due to budget constraints, but I truly appreciate the improvement in audio levels and ranges this card offers for gaming. I've had three ASUS Xonar cards, and they've never disappointed me."

"I upgraded from an ALC897 codec to an ASUS AE sound card, and the improvement was immediate. The sound is rich with deep bass and the software is user-friendly with several presets. Ensure to disable the onboard audio controller in BIOS before installation for the best results. At $40, I think it's a good buy, but I would consider an external DAC for anything more."

"I managed to get this card working on Windows 10 after some hassle. Initially, I used the driver from the CD, but it didn't install correctly. I had to navigate to the Win10 folder and run the setup from there. After restarting my computer, I was pleasantly surprised to find that everything worked, and my 4 speakers responded perfectly!"

"Unfortunately, this product did not function well with Windows 10 or 11. I found that the drivers were outdated and not compatible, which made it frustrating to use. Since I was just working on a project, I expected better performance but ended up very disappointed."

"I had a bit of trouble with installation, as it didn't get detected in the 3rd PCIe slot of my Mac Pro. I had to switch it to the 4th slot to get it recognized. Although the driver installation was straightforward, I encountered an issue with the left and right audio channels being switched, along with some background noise. After trying to troubleshoot for a bit, I decided to return it."

"I love my new sound card! The sound quality is crystal clear and there's no more annoying hissing from my onboard audio. Installation was a breeze, and I appreciate the customizable features. The CrystalVoice option is hilarious and adds a fun twist to my gaming sessions!"

"After upgrading to this card, I noticed an immediate improvement in audio clarity. The 3D positioning works well, which is great for my FPS games. Although it's a bit on the pricey side, the cleaner sound is worth it. I had a few minor issues with software, but nothing major."

"This sound card is simply amazing! The Dolby Live feature makes me feel like I’m in a theater. I’ve tried other brands, but this one outshines them all. If you're in need of a solid sound card, I highly recommend this one."

"I built a new computer and realized I forgot a sound card. After hearing great things about this card, I decided to buy it. It arrived quickly, and I was amazed at how well it worked on Windows 7. I had no problems at all for a month. In games, it significantly improved my ability to locate other players. The only downside was the sound quality at first, but after some tweaks, it sounded fantastic!"

"Upgrading from Vista to Windows 7, I needed a compatible sound card and chose this one. After some initial setup issues, I followed several troubleshooting steps, and the sound card has been working beautifully for weeks. The sound quality is much better than my previous onboard audio, although I need to be cautious with the volume settings!"

"I replaced my old Sound Blaster card with this one, and the installation was a breeze. It sounded great while I was recording demos, but unfortunately, it died after a week. I was disappointed, but Amazon's return policy was helpful. **I’m now waiting for a replacement card, hoping for better luck!"

"I was searching for a sound card that would work seamlessly with Windows 10, after struggling with both Creative Labs and Asus. I purchased this card, plugged it in, and it worked perfectly right out-of-the-box! I'm thrilled to be done with Sound Blaster and Asus Xonar drivers!"

"I got this dual S/PDIF sound card for my PC to act as a pass-through EQ for my home theater. I'm pleased to say that it worked right away! The sound quality is acceptable, though my amp is a bit old, so I can't fully assess the fidelity."

"I bought this card because a review claimed it was plug and play for Windows 10. However, after installing it, I noticed that all sounds, including music, were playing at about 2/3 speed. I followed the manufacturer's advice to download the latest drivers, but it didn’t resolve the issue. At least the seller made the return process easy."

"I had an old HP P6774dy, and when the onboard sound chip failed, I turned to this card. After reinstalling Windows 10, I found the onboard sound still wasn’t working, but once I installed this card, the sound returned and has been flawless since. It was a strange issue with the old PC, but this card was a great price and got everything back on track."

"I decided to buy this Sound Card after a bad Windows 10 update messed up the sound on my ASUS Pro-97, which had been working fine for years. Microsoft and ASUS were no help, and reinstalling the driver only worked briefly before the distortion returned. Ultimately, I discovered that a faulty DVD drive was causing the audio and video issues all along! It took weeks of troubleshooting, but I’m relieved to have my system working again."

"I purchased this sound card for an old Gateway, and I had a smooth experience with easy installation. It works well for my basic needs."