Best Internal Sound Cards for Gaming of 2025

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2025

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Internal sound cards for gaming are essential for any serious gamer. These cards provide high-quality audio that is essential for immersive gameplay. They can handle complex audio processing tasks and produce crystal clear sound effects and music. Internal sound cards also come with a variety of features, including noise reduction, surround sound, and customizable EQ settings. They are easy to install and compatible with most gaming computers. With an internal sound card, gamers can experience a whole new level of audio quality that enhances their overall gaming experience.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card Cover #TOP 1
Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus PCIe Gaming Sound Card Cover #TOP 2
Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus PCIe Gaming Sound Card
ftb score rating icon 9.7
ASUS XONAR SE 5.1 Hi-Res PCIe Gaming Sound Card Cover #TOP 3
ASUS XONAR SE 5.1 Hi-Res PCIe Gaming Sound Card
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Internal Sound Cards for Gaming

Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card

SB1500
Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card Cover
Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card and DAC, 24-bit / 192 kHz, 116 dB SNR, ASIO, 600Ω Headphones Amp, Mic EQ, Discrete 5.1 / Virtual 7.1, Supports Dolby Digital Live, DTS

The Creative Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card provides up to 116 dB SNR at 24-bit / 192 kHz for impressive audio quality. With ASIO support, low-latency and high-fidelity audio is available even for recordings. SBX Gaming EQ Profiles are available for hot games, and the card is capable of immersive surround sound with support for 7.1 virtual on headphones and speakers alongside discrete 5.1 for speakers. Crystal Clear Communication is ensured with microphone EQ presets and CrystalVoice technology.

What We Like
Impressive audio quality
Low-latency and high-fidelity audio
Support for SBX Gaming EQ Profiles
Immersive surround sound with support for 7.1 virtual on headphones and speakers alongside discrete 5.1 for speakers
Crystal Clear Communication with microphone EQ presets and CrystalVoice technology
#TOP 2

Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus PCIe Gaming Sound Card

SB1740
Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus PCIe Gaming Sound Card Cover
Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus SABRE32-class Hi-res 32-bit/384 kHz PCIe Gaming Sound Card and DAC with Dolby Digital and DTS, Xamp Discrete Headphone Bi-amp, Up to 122dB SNR, RGB Lighting System

The Creative Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus PCIe Gaming Sound Card and DAC delivers hi-res 32-bit/384 kHz audio quality with a 122 dB DNR, ultra-low distortion and jitter. It features Dolby Digital and DTS support, powerful discrete headphone amp, customizable RGB LED lighting system, and industry-leading audio processing technologies. The Xamp discrete headphone bi-amp powers each earcup individually, and supports studio-grade headphones of up to 600Ω. The Sound BlasterX AE-5 Plus is perfect for gamers, music lovers, and movie enthusiasts.

What We Like
Supports Dolby Digital and DTS
Powerful discrete headphone amp
Pristine audio quality
Customizable RGB LED lighting system
Industry-leading audio processing technologies
#TOP 3

ASUS XONAR SE 5.1 Hi-Res PCIe Gaming Sound Card

XONAR SE
116dB
ASUS XONAR SE 5.1 Hi-Res PCIe Gaming Sound Card Cover
ASUS XONAR SE 5.1 Channel 192kHz/24-bit Hi-Res 116dB SNR PCIe Gaming Sound Card with Windows 10 compatibility

The ASUS XONAR SE 5.1 Hi-Res PCIe Gaming Sound Card boasts 192kHz/24-bit Hi-Res audio with a 300ohm headphone amp for an immersive and detailed sound experience. The Realtek ALC1220X codec ensures a crystal clear 116dB signal-to-noise ratio, while ASUS Hyper Grounding Technology reduces audio distortion and interference. The Xonar Audio Center allows for full audio control through an intuitive interface, and the included Low Profile Bracket ensures compatibility with most systems.

What We Like
Crystal clear 116dB signal-to-noise ratio
ASUS Hyper Grounding Technology reduces audio distortion and interference
Xonar Audio Center enables full audio control via an intuitive, spacious interface

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX Sound Card

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Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX Sound Card Cover
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX 7.1 Sound Card with High Performance Headphone Amp

The Creative Sound Blaster Audigy PCIe RX Sound Card boasts advanced chipset designed to process the legendary EAX reverb engine for powerful enhanced audio, and a 106dB SNR for high-quality sound. With full cinematic 7.1 multi-channel audio, immerse yourself in perfect audio for games, movies, and music. The 600 ohm headphone amp provides studio-grade monitoring, and the sound card supports Windows 8, Windows XP SP2 or higher, Windows Vista SP1 or higher, Windows 7, and Windows 10. Enjoy high-quality 24-bit 192 kHz stereo direct playback.

What We Like
Advanced chipset for powerful enhanced audio
High-quality sound with 106dB SNR
Studio-grade monitoring with 600 ohm headphone amp
#TOP 5

HaoYiShang CM8828 7.1CH Sound Card

HaoYiShang
HaoYiShang CM8828 7.1CH Sound Card Cover
PCIe x1 Studio CM8828 7.1CH e-Sports Audio-Visual Live Streaming Lossless DTS Sound Card for PC Gaming Computer Beast with coaxial Optical brazing Output Blaster External Networking

The HaoYiShang Sound Card is designed to elevate your audio experience with its advanced CM8828 7.1-channel capabilities. You can enjoy immersive 3D surround sound, perfect for gaming or home theater setups. The card supports high-quality audio with a sampling rate of up to 24bit and 192kHz, ensuring clear sound effects that enhance your entertainment. With a low-delay ASIO driver, you can effortlessly record and mix audio from various sources like YouTube or SoundCloud, making it a versatile tool for music enthusiasts. Plug-and-play functionality adds to the convenience, allowing you to set it up easily.

What We Like
Immersive 3D surround sound
High-quality audio output
Low-delay recording capabilities
Easy plug-and-play setup
#TOP 6

Creative Labs SB0880 X-Fi Titanium Sound Card

70SB088000004
Creative Labs SB0880 X-Fi Titanium Sound Card Cover
Creative Labs SB0880 PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium Sound Card

The Creative Labs SB0880 X-Fi Titanium Sound Card is a great addition to your computer, offering cinematic surround sound for your DVDs and 3D positional audio for locating enemies in games. With fantastic inputs and low-latency ASIO drivers, it's perfect for music recording, and the EAX 5.0 sound effects will immerse you in the game. The hardware audio acceleration boosts performance and surpasses motherboard audio.

What We Like
Cinematic surround sound for DVDs
3D positional audio for locating enemies in games
Low-latency ASIO drivers for great music recording
EAX 5.0 sound effects for immersive gaming
Hardware audio acceleration for better game performance
#TOP 7

Creative SBS E2900 & Sound Blaster Z SE

bt 5,z se
Creative SBS E2900 & Sound Blaster Z SE Cover
Creative SBS E2900,Black Sound Blaster Z SE Internal PCI-e Gaming Sound Card and DAC

The Creative Sound Blaster Z SE and SBS E2900 combo offers an impressive audio experience. The 2.1 speaker system delivers a powerful 120W peak performance, ensuring your games and music sound vibrant. With a 116 dB signal-to-noise ratio, you can enjoy clear, crisp audio at high resolutions. The Bluetooth 5.0 feature allows you to connect wirelessly to your devices, bringing convenience to your listening experience. Additionally, the included remote control lets you adjust settings from a distance, enhancing your overall comfort while enjoying your favorite media.

What We Like
Powerful audio performance
Clear audio clarity
Wireless connectivity options
Convenient remote control
#TOP 8

ASUS Xonar Dg Sound Card

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ASUS Xonar Dg Sound Card Cover
Xonar Dg Amp 5.1 Pci Sound Card Gx 2.5 Gaming Dolby Headphone

The ASUS Xonar Dg is an internal sound card that enhances your audio experience with its 24-bit DAC data width. This feature ensures high-quality sound reproduction, allowing you to enjoy clear and detailed audio. With support for 5.1 sound channels, you can immerse yourself in surround sound for a more engaging gaming or movie experience. The internal design means it fits seamlessly into your PC, and the C-media Cmi8786 chip provides reliable performance. Additionally, the S/PDIF output offers a convenient way to connect to other audio devices, enhancing your overall multimedia setup.

What We Like
High-quality audio reproduction
Supports 5.1 surround sound
Easy internal installation
Reliable performance
Convenient S/PDIF output
#TOP 9

ASHATA 7.1CH PCIe Gaming Sound Card

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ASHATA 7.1CH PCIe Gaming Sound Card Cover
ASHATA 7.1CH Channel 192 Khz 24 Bits 100db SNR PCIe Gaming Sound Card, PCIe Internal Sound Card CM8828 7.1CH TCXO PC Sound Card for Home Theater Large 3D Games Sound Playback

The ASHATA Gaming Sound Card enhances your audio experience with its impressive 24-bit, 192kHz sampling rate, delivering clear and powerful sound. Its multiple interfaces, including LINE and MIC, allow you to connect various audio devices, making it ideal for both home theaters and gaming setups. With support for low latency ASIO drivers, this sound card ensures smooth audio mixing, perfect for immersive gameplay. Additionally, its high-performance chip minimizes distortion, providing you with a rich sound quality that elevates your entertainment experience.

What We Like
Superior sound clarity
Diverse connectivity options
Low latency performance
High-quality audio chip
#TOP 10

Creative Sound Blaster PCIE Sound Card

SB1350
Creative Sound Blaster PCIE Sound Card Cover
Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350

The Creative Sound Blaster Recon3D THX PCIE Sound Card SB1350 features a quad-core Sound Core3D Audio Processor, THX TruStudio Pro sound technologies, and Dolby Digital Live for compelling 5.1 surround sound from any source. It also has a dedicated high quality headphone amp that supports headphones and headsets with up to 600 ohms impedance. You can calibrate and customize every aspect of the Sound Blaster Recon3D PCIE audio and voice settings to really get into your game. Additionally, it connects to your home theatre system through a single digital cable and transforms any stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 audio streams into high fidelity immersive surround sound, making it perfect for cinematic DVD movies.

What We Like
Quad-core Sound Core3D Audio Processor
THX TruStudio Pro sound technologies
Dolby Digital Live for compelling 5.1 surround sound from any source
Dedicated high quality headphone amp that supports headphones and headsets with up to 600 ohms impedance
Transforms any stereo or Dolby Digital 5.1 audio streams into high fidelity immersive surround sound, making it perfect for cinematic DVD movies
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are sound cards good for gaming?

For the average or even above-average gamer, a separate sound card is generally unnecessary. However, some gamers who want the ultimate audio experience may consider investing in a sound card. It ultimately depends on finding the right balance between cost and performance that suits your needs.

2. Do pro gamers use sound cards?

Pro gamers have varying preferences when it comes to audio. Some prefer a standard stereo output, while others opt for detailed spatial sound. Instead of internal sound cards, some pro gamers use external DACs to reduce noise and improve clarity. Overall, internal sound cards are not popular among pro gamers.

3. What are the disadvantages of sound cards?

Some disadvantages of sound cards include the additional cost, as external sound cards can be expensive, and the need for additional hardware, which may take up space in your computer or laptop. Not all computers have enough space, and adding a sound card can make the system bulkier.

4. Are sound cards outdated?

Sound cards are no longer a necessary purchase for most PC users. While they were once essential for improving audio quality, advancements in integrated audio technology have made sound cards less relevant. However, there are still certain situations where buying a sound card may be beneficial.

5. How much does a sound card help gaming?

One of the main reasons gamers use dedicated sound cards is to reduce CPU usage. By offloading audio work from the CPU or GPU, sound cards can improve overall frame rates while gaming. However, it's worth noting that many modern graphics cards also handle some of the audio load, reducing the need for a dedicated sound card.

6. Does sound card improve sound quality?

Sound cards can enhance the audio quality of your PC in multiple ways. They often have higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and total harmonic distortion (THD), resulting in better sound reproduction. Additionally, sound cards may include amplifiers that improve the quality of headphones or speakers.

Editor's Notes

During our internal sound card for gaming research, we found 24 internal sound card for gaming products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 36,029 customer reviews through our big data system to write the internal sound cards for gaming list. We found that most customers choose internal sound cards for gaming with an average price of $69.68.

The internal sound cards for gaming are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of internal sound cards for gaming, including Creative, ASUS, HaoYiShang, ASHATA. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.