Understanding Sound Cards

Upgrading sound cards

Upgrading sound cards is no different then upgrading any other type of card. The basic process for installing a new card is as follows:

- Go to Safe mode
- Go to the device manager.
- Expand 'sound, video, and game controllers'.
- Remove all sound components.
- Shut the computer off. Remove the sound card.
- Restart the computer without the card in it.
- Shut the computer off and insert the new card.
- Make sure you have the drivers, and install them.


You need to identify the current card, and go to the card's vendor site to download and install an updated driver.

If you have an OEM aka major vendor computer, go to the major vendor site and download the driver for the particular model.

If you have a mom and pop computer with integrated sound and you can recognize the motherboard, go to the m/b site, and download the sound driver for the appropriate board.

If you have a mom and pop computer with integrated sound and you cannot recognize the m/b, look at the chipset. Then, go to the website for the chipset and download the sound driver.