Do I need a new Sound Card for my dv5t?

OK, just got my new HP 2.1 50-watt speakers today. My dv5t is still being built, but of course I wanted to test these speakers out. So i hooked them up to my old desktop, and they sound ok, but i get a very loud, constant, droning, hummmm sound if i turn the volume up even a little. The old speakers connected to this machine also make the same noise upon higher volumes. Now, I hooked these speakers up to a stereo, and no humming. So after a bit of research, it's sounds like the sound card is to blame. The desktop is at least 6 years old, and the sound card is a SoundMAX Integrated Digitial Audio, which is also old as hell. So my question is this: Will whatever stock sound card that comes in my dv5t get rid of this annoying droning, or will I need to buy a separate sound card? I don't need super high quality sound, I just want to be able to turn the volume up on my speakers without horrible background noise. Thanks in advance.

 

It could be the connection not the sound card. Depending how long the warrenty lasts on the speakers I would test them in the laptop first but if the warrenty runs out before the laptop comes return the speakers.

 

In general, laptop manufacturers do not put a premium on sound quality at the headphone jack. I suspect that there will be some background noise, although someone who actually owns a DV5T will need to chime in with that info.

 

I don't think it's the speakers, as my old speakers make the same kind of noise.

 

I own a Dv5t Notebook and have no problems with the sound quality. I am no Audiophile but I play my music from the notebook through my stereo with no background noise or humming. The sound is actually quite clear and crisp...I am listening to it as I write this.

 

Desktops and laptops have the same problem with having the sound card inside the computer, its even worse with the laptop because all the parts are so close together. When you have electronics that close to your sound card then they get electronic noise, which can come out of your speakers in different ways. I know with my headphones if I use my on board sound card then I can hear my HDD moving and all sorts of other things. You can eliminate this problem with even the cheapest USB/Firewire sound cards. Getting it out of the laptop is a big point. Then you can focus on getting the more premium equipment if you like.

 

Wait till you get your hands on the dv5t. Chances are it will work without a noticeable hiss or a hum. Nevertheless, notebook sounds cards are generally crap, if you are an audiophile then maybe worth getting an external card; but most ordinary users are happy with onboard sound cards.

 

just get a USB 2.0 based soundcard..there are plenty..from $10 turtle to $30 creatives.