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    Help with picking out an audio card for a 1525 Inspiron

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by irrelevantnotch, Dec 13, 2008.

  1. irrelevantnotch

    irrelevantnotch Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hey all, I need to upgrade my audio card (or lack of one) and being that this is my first laptop I was hoping for some help. Dell's Inspiron 1525 allows for an audio card upgrade when buying from their website, however, in order to save money I decided to go with the integrated sound card. That was a big mistake, as I've had to dealt with dubious amounts of clipping and syncing issues. Anyway, I'm not sure if I should upgrade through the express card slot, or attempt to open up the computer and attach one to the motherboard. Express slot would obviously be easier, I'm just concerned about the quality of express slot versus internal. Any suggestions?

    thanks, IN
     
    irrelevantnotch, Dec 13, 2008
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  2. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    I'd go with the Expresscard slot upgrade option. The quality will be fine if you get a decent card, you just have to consider you'll have another thing sticking out of your notebook.
     
    atbnet, Dec 13, 2008
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  3. irrelevantnotch

    irrelevantnotch Notebook Enthusiast

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    Where do you recommend buying an audio express card from, if you don't mind me asking.
     
    irrelevantnotch, Dec 13, 2008
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  4. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    I buy almost everything from Newegg.
     
    atbnet, Dec 13, 2008
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  5. eli2k

    eli2k Notebook Consultant

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    They have cheapo USB soundcards, a little USB nub that plugs into the port, but I don't know h ow well those work.
     
    eli2k, Dec 14, 2008
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  6. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    atbnet, Dec 14, 2008
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  7. irrelevantnotch

    irrelevantnotch Notebook Enthusiast

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    This might be a stupid question, but will an Express Card audio card affect my laptop's internal speakers? Also, thanks for the help everyone!
     
    irrelevantnotch, Dec 20, 2008
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  8. eli2k

    eli2k Notebook Consultant

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    I used a PCMCIA card in the past. If I plug it in, and activate it, it will deactivate the internal speakers, and you have to route audio out of the PCMCIA card to headphones/external speakers. The Creative card I used also had an option to disable the card and reenable internal speakers (without having to unplug the card), but it didn't work well; the audio got out of sync after a while and I never figured out why.
     
    eli2k, Dec 23, 2008
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