More of this Feature • Upgrade Before Replacing • Computers and Related Items • DVD, VHS & CD's

Price Comparison Resources • PriceSCAN • Smartshop • Rebates - Quick Reference

From Other Guides • Beginner's Guides to PCs and Support

Elsewhere on the Web • Creative Labs • Guillemot • Real's Realjukebox • Nullsoft's Winamp

A while back, we looked at upgrading your PC system by adding memory and a larger faster hard drive. Now let's look into upgrading your sound system to take advantage of all the great music available. After all, surveys show that the vast majority of computer users listen to more music on their PC than on their stereos. In this hi-tech world of MP3s, high-impact video games, CDs and DVDs, stereo-quality sound for your PC is a must. Besides having a working CD ROM drive, there are three elements in getting the best sound from your system; a quality sound card, a good set of speakers, and a capable music player. PC users often concentrate on the first, admittedly important element, while ignoring the others. So let's look and see what we need to do to build a real quality sound system while keeping the cost reasonable.

A high performance sound card is the basis of the sound system so this is our starting point. Creative Labs (www.creativelabs.com) and Guillemot (www.guillemot.com) both make excellent cards with the high-end topping out at a little under $200. The low-end cards from these manufactures can provide great stereo sound at a much lower price. Remember that a good sound system cannot live by the card alone, it needs good speakers to show off what it can do. You can get an excellent quality set of speakers (Creative Labs and Pioneer are two that come to mind) from many companies with prices ranging from under $50 or go all out for a little under $300.

After we get the mechanics of the system in place, it is now time to consider the software to run the show. Many different sources offer nice audio playing software but two of the most popular are Real's Realjukebox (www.real.com) and Nullsoft's Winamp (www.winamp.com). Both offer extensive control over recording and playback as well as all sorts of extras. Realjukebox comes in two versions, Realjukebox Basic that you can download free from (www.real.com) and the $29.99 Realjukebox Plus. Either one is a good deal to enhance your stereo sound system.

There are so many different PC sound cards, speakers and audio players on the market. You will have to decide what you want and what you want to spend. If price is a consideration, get the better sound card first; you can always add quality speakers later and the free Realjukebox works well. After adding the larger faster hard drive, lots of memory, and upgrading the sound, your PC can produce stereo sound just as good as you get from that expensive stereo system you have in your den, maybe even better. So sit back, read your email to a kicking sound system and maybe your world will be just a little better for your simple little sound upgrade.

Helpful links to check before you purchase:

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A listing of manufacturer rebates currently available on our products.