I think i need a new sound card...

[Satan]

Do i need a specific sound card for my computer or can i just get anything?

Its for a friend with a fairly older computer, a compaq from like 99 or something i think he said, not sure of the model, can he just get anything and where in the tower are these usualy located? Do they just slide right in?

He just got new speakers, and after about a month he has no sound now, and the computer randomly shuts down when he opens anything to do with sound.

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[MrSector9 10+ year member]

Depending on the model of compaq it probably has on board sound. You can add a PCI soundcard to it but as for it crashing when he opesn sound stuff I am not sure if that will cure it since it sitll has the onboard (possibly faulty) sound

 

[Satan]

Well it has a slot in the back like the rest of the computers, where the speakers plug in, mic, etc, im guessing its not an onboard type deal i guess its a specific card, i was just wondering if there were specific cards for makes and models of computers and stuff, anything i can tell him so he doesnt get ripped off at the store, i know the guys are always trying to say you NEED one thing over the other just becuase its more expensive....

Thanks for the help so far mrsector

 

[j3bus2k3 5,000+ posts]

the only thing that will be specific is the type of slot it uses, not brand. I garauntee your buddy will have a PCI slot, my old compaq PIII 500 does. You can pick up a simple Creative sound blaster for $20 bucks from Sams, Wal-mart, ebay, that should do fine.