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#BEST EXTERNAL SOUND CARD 2018 FULL#
#BEST EXTERNAL SOUND CARD 2018 SOFTWARE#
#BEST EXTERNAL SOUND CARD 2018 PC#

An S/PDIF optical output is also provided.

#BEST EXTERNAL SOUND CARD 2018 FULL#

The X3 includes separate 3.5mm headphone and mic ports on the front, with five further 3.5mm ports on the rear for connecting up a full 7.1 speaker system plus a line-in device.

#BEST EXTERNAL SOUND CARD 2018 PC#

The larger frame also allows a marked increase in ports, making it more suitable for use with a desktop PC than the compact GSX 300. It can also drive more powerful headphones than the GSX 300 we looked at earlier, with impedances up to 600 ohms supported. The Sound Blaster X3 offers a step-up in audio quality, with a higher-grade sound processor that includes support for 32-bit 196kHz hi-res audio. Pros: Great audio processing, both 7.1 speaker and headphone outputs, good software.Ĭons: Speaker/headphone swap is annoying, takes up a lot of desk space. If you want a compact USB sound card at a reasonable price, the GSX 300 is worth considering.īest USB sound card for gaming under £200/$200: Creative Sound Blaster X3

#BEST EXTERNAL SOUND CARD 2018 SOFTWARE#

This should have been fixed in a recent software update, and hasn't occurred since in my testing. The software works well, with convenient EQ settings and comprehensive mic controls, but it did sometimes stop working and require a restart. There's a volume dial on the front, which offers tactile steps, as well as a second button that can be set to switch between sound modes or different EQ profiles. A single to dual 3.5mm adapter is required if your headset uses a single TRRS jack instead of separate TRS connections for headphones and mic, but this isn't a big issue as these adapters normally come standard with any headset that require them ( not that they're expensive anyway). The small physical design means that there's no room for additional ports - you just have Micro USB and two 3.5mm inputs for your headphones and mic - but it does mean that the GSX 300 is something you can easily put in your bag to use with a laptop on the go. That meant my 50-ohm Sennheiser HD 598 SE worked fine, but the 300-ohm HD 600 is off the table. High resolution sound is supported, up to 24-bit 96kHz, and the GSX 300 can drive headphones up to 75 ohms. The GSX 300 sound card is compact and relatively inexpensive at around £70, but it produces a great expanded sound stage and offers an immersive simulation of 7.1 surround sound on stereo headsets. Pros: Good sound stage, compact design, convenient controls.Ĭons: Can't drive high-impedance headphones, no speaker output, potentially buggy software.Įpos, the company formerly known as Sennheiser's gaming division, has turned out something of a treat on its first attempt.

Best USB sound card for gaming under £300/$300: Creative Sound Blaster AE-9īest USB sound card for gaming under £100/$100: Epos Sennheiser GSX 300.

Best USB sound card for gaming under £200/$200: Creative Sound Blaster X3.

Best USB sound card for gaming under £100/$100: Epos Sennheiser GSX 300.

You can use the table of contents below to jump immediately to the section you're interested in, or simply scroll down to read the whole thing! In this article, we'll break down the best USB sound cards for gaming we've tested so far.Īs well as our top three recommendations at three price points - under £100/$100, under £200/$200 and under £300/$300 - we've also included a brief glossary and FAQ at the end of the article, where we've explained some common terms and answered some frequently asked questions asked by USB sound card buyers. After all, if your computer's on-board audio is sub-par, you won't be getting the most out of your shiny new headset. While external sound cards remain a relatively niche purchase, as gaming headphones have improved over time we've found that pairing them with a good USB sound card has become increasingly important. As well as adding extra ports and improving sound quality, these cards include features that aim to increase immersion or provide a competitive edge. Over the last few months, we've tested a few USB sound cards designed specifically for PC gaming.