Windows 10: Do I Need Sound Card for My Desktop?

I'll be building a gaming desktop and buying a monitor with built-in speakers. Do I need a sound card or will the speakers from the monitor suffice? Here's my build:

Intel Core i5-6500, MSI GeForce GTX 970, DIYPC P48-BK - Lighter Rig - xlooks Saved Part List - PCPartPicker

:)

 

Do I need a SIM card for my Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE?

Some apps require me to receive a text message for registration (WhatsApp, Viber, etc).

To do that I need a SIM card other than my old one, and to apply for a new phone number from T-Mobile.

They'll give you a phone number for free alright, but you can't receive any calls or text messages until you give them (T-Mobile) at least $3 for their lowest-tier of calling service (30 calls/messages for 1 month).

But their website only allows you to pay in increments of $10 (minimum $10)!

Isn't that interesting for the unsuspecting folks?

Once you pay them, your phone will function and receive text messages, and you can register the apps that require an initial receipt of a sms/text message.

I suspect once this initial step is done, I can drop cellular and use the apps on WiFi only.

Removing the SIM card puts an annoying permanent icon in the system icon area indicating there is no SIM card in the mobile device.

I'll take a look at buying some Skype credit.

WiFi calling should be free, IMHO.

(It is, under Android)

 

Do I need a SIM card for my Microsoft Lumia 640 LTE?

No, you will be fine to just use it with Wi-Fi

As for apps, it is just something you will have to look, try and see if they meet your needs. IMHO, Skype would be the best choice.

 

If you're not satisfied with the sound from your monitor, you can get a 2.1 computer speaker system. You don't need a sound card since the motherboard already comes with it.

 

First off, the fact that your monitor has speakers has zero to do with whether or not you should install a sound card.

The majority (if not all) of mother boards made today have built-in audio. The need for a sound card is a personal decision based on whether or not you feel the built-in audio is good enough for your needs.

Regardless of whether you use a sound card or built-in audio, you will need speakers. It's also a personal decision as to whether or not the speakers built-in to your monitor will be adequate or whether you would prefer to have a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system that will provide things like amplification, subwoofer, surround sound, etc...

 

No...as the mobo already has a sound chip on it.....yours has the Realtek ALC887 7.1 channel. All you would need is a set of external speakers as mentioned by theveterans.

No speaker from a TV or monitor can compare to a bonafide external speaker setup. I would recommend Logitech Z313 2.1 surround sound set up. It's got the best bang for buck sound out there....IMO. I have one.

 

If you are planning to use the monitor's built-in speakers then you most definitely don't need a sound card.

 

As mentioned most computers have a sound adapter built onto the motherboard. It can be disabled if wanting to purchase and add a third-party sound card. BUT, a sound card or adapter is required to provide the sound from the computer to whatever speakers are used, only way to do it. One could plug a Sony Walkman or any number of MP3 players into the speakers on the monitor but that won't provide the sounds available from programs or games installed on the computer. If USB is being thought of for plugging into speakers, there still needs to be some method of modulating/demodulating the sound signal so the speakers can use it.

 

Hi there

If you intend using HDMI then a small HDMI splitter will work brilliantly - and will pass the analog (RCA jacks L + R) PLUS full Optical (5.1 / 7.1 depending on the quality of the splitter and your HDMI output from the computer.

The HDMI out splitter is usually fine for up to 1920 X 1080 full HD video and the cheaper ones perversly will split off any HDMI video encryption too so you've got a nice clean full HD video signal to play with as well. The more expensive ones (not the Chinese manufactured stuff) are more restrictive in ensuring HDMI encrption is maintained when playing Blu Ray etc --so go for the cheaper chinese manufactured ones. !!!!

Most built in sound cards - especially if integrated with HDMI on the mobo are usually very good these days -- Computer speakers are the weak link --usually being far to "boomy / Boxy and Bassy". There's a HUGE fifference between quality speakers required for Music, Video and gaming - most computer speakers are geared towards the Gaming and Movie watching people -- so often for decent music computer sound will usually disappoint.

You can get more than adeqate separate speakers though these days without paying a small fortune for them --Wifi ones are increasingly good too --forget Bluetooth -- you won't get High quality sound on Blue tooth devices.

Cheers
jimbo

 

Since you have built-in sound card. The main thing to utilize your sound card is speakers 2.1/5.1 or even 7.1.
I have RealTek 889 sound card on my board. I am very satisfied. No need spend more money again to your sound card. The critical point is speaker system.