The Sound Card and Speakers

The EPoX 8RDA+ has very good built-in sound. Good enough that an add-on sound card is not needed. I'm not an afficianado, but I do appreciate good quality sound. If you need or decide to purchase a sound card then I recommend the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS sound card. And, of course, you will need speakers whether the motherboard has built-in sound or not.

The Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS can be purchased with or without a software bundle of games. The retail box that includes the games, all of which are fairly recent and top sellers, is the Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Gamer. The hardware is the same in both cases. The Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS line throws in FireWire support along with the sound. Quite a little bonus, that is. The card provides so many connections that a second PCI slot cover, but not the PCI slot itself, is required to use them all. The second PCI slot cover provides a single connection and it's for a joystick. I'm an occasional gamer myself and my kids use the edutainment packages frequently, but most software packages work quite well without a joystick and we get by without one just fine.

The Creative Cambridge SoundWorks PCWorks speaker system includes two satellite speakers and a sub-woofer. The sound quality is amazingly good. The speakers come with a handy volume control that I like to run right up to the front of the monitor, making volume adjustment and muting a breeze!

Next: Computer Assembly - Modem

My complete recommendations for building a computer with quality components at unbeatable prices is on my home page at Build A Computer Like My Super PC - Cost To Build A Computer. Here again are the recommendations for a sound card! Description Where I Would Get It Today Today's Price Comments An add-on sound card is not needed by most. The built-in sound provided by motherboards such as the EPoX 8RDA+ and the MSI K8N Neo Platinum will satisfy most listeners, including me. But if you want a sound card for even better sound or to maximize performance, the line of model I like is Soundblaster made by Creative Labs. Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeGamer Sound Card Amazon $89.98 Free shipping! Retail box. Clicking the link takes you directly to it. Creative's new line of X-Fi sound cards replaces the Audigy series. The X-Fi models provide better sound quality, more voices (128, up from 64) and support for the the next version of EAX (version 5.0 instead of version 4.0) which is Creative's technology for providing positional, effects, and environmental audio. The XtrememeGamer model is plenty for most of us, and much cheaper than the other Elite Pro, Fatal1ty FPS and Platinum models. All models have the same core hardware. The more expensive models include extra RAM and even a remote control.

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How To Build A Computer. Step By Step Instructions To Assemble. Skip To Any Assembly Step.

	Parts List [go]
	Tools [go]
	Antistatic Wrist Strap [go]
	Computer Case and Power Supply [go]
	Motherboard [go]
	Processor, CPU Cooler and Thermal Compound [go]
	RAM - System Memory [go]
	Video Card [go]
	Monitor [go]
	Keyboard and Mouse [go]
	Floppy Drive [go]
	Hard Drive [go]
	CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD RW [go]
	Sound Card and Speakers [go]
	Modem [go]
	Install the Processor onto the Motherboard [go]
	Install the CPU Cooler [go]
	Install the RAM - System Memory [go]
	Install the Motherboard into the Computer Case [go]
	Install the Video Card [go]
	Connect the Power Supply to the Motherboard [20-pin Connector  or  24-pin Connector]
	Connect the PN1 and PN2 Indicators to the Motherboard [KS-282 to EPoX 8RDA+  or  Sonata to MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Ready the Monitor [go]
	Ready the Keyboard and Mouse [go]
	First Boot [go]
	First Boot Common Problems [go]
	Install the CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD RW Drives [go]
	Install the Hard Drive and Floppy Drive [PATA Hard Drive  or  SATA Hard Drive]
	Connect the Speakers (if using built-in sound) [go]
	Second Boot [PATA  or  SATA]
	Configure the BIOS Parameter Settings [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Test The Hard Drive [PATA  or  SATA]
	Install a Second SATA Hard Drive For RAID (optional) [go]
	Install the Operating System - Windows XP [on PATA hard drive  or  on SATA hard drive]
	Driver Installation [go]
	How To Copy Big Files From Another Computer Using Just a Floppy Drive [go]
	Install the Modem [go]
	Install the Motherboard Chipset Drivers [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Install the Monitor Driver [go]
	Install the Video Card Drivers [EPoX 8RDA+  or  MSI K8N Neo Platinum]
	Install the Sound Card and Speakers [go]
	Install System Information Utility - EVEREST [go]
	Diagnostic Test - DirectX [go]
	Speed Test - System Memory (RAM) Performance [go]
	Speed Test - Hard Drive Performance [PATA and SATA results]
	Speed Test - CD Performance [go]
	Speed Test - Total System Performance [go]
	Stress/Torture Tests [go]
	Connect Front Panel Ports For Audio, Firewire and USB 2.0 [go]
	Install Rear Panel Ports For Firewire And USB 2.0 [go]
	Install The Computer Case Fans [go]
	Post Assembly Needs [go]
	Graduation [go]
	Video Card Driver Settings [go]
	BIOS Flash Update [go]
	BIOS Settings [go]

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