While an integrated sound solution is great for playing MP3s and CDs, listening to simple presentations and experiencing audio from other basic computing tasks, a dedicated sound card can dramatically broaden your computer's audio experience.

In addition to crisp multichannel sound, sound cards offer high-resolution, low-latency and feature-rich recording for audio and media enthusiasts.

For gaming, a sound card can provide hardware acceleration and a performance boost for your most intensive games, because it off-loads the CPU from audio processing tasks.

If you want: Acceptable performance for CDs, MP3s and basic computing tasks	Choose: Integrated 7.1 channel audio
If you want: A high-resolution, low-latency, feature-rich recording tool for audio enthusiasts and professionals	Choose: Creative® Sound Blaster® X-Fi Xtreme Audio
If you want: Hardware acceleration	Choose: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium