If you're adding a sound card to a PC that doesn't have one, or upgrading from an older sound card, there are several issues to consider:

First, if you don't already have a CD-ROM burner, consider purchasing one. You'll enjoy the ability to mix-and-match CD titles, and create personalized 'albums' of your favorite tunes for playback in your computer, car or home stereo.

Check the driver

Although PC sound boards are sold with software drivers that make them readable to all programs that run using Microsoft Windows, most games will still require a plug-in application to perfect the line between 3-D viewing and 3-D sounds. Programs like DirectX9.x and other software graphics accelerators support this technology. Your video/sound card will likely come with the appropriate software and links for any upgrading you should do.

Just as well, if you're a game player, make sure your games minimum requirements are being met before you buy the product. Many pc gamers have purchased the latest and greatest game only to find out that a driver or plug-in on their sound or video card would not support the game play. In most cases you either end up buying a newer model card, or taking the game back (and in most cases, opened software/games are non-returnable).

Be especially careful if you're buying an expensive, professional-quality sound board designed for musicians. Some of these aren't compatible with any consumer-level boards, and are specifically designed for server-side applications, specialty software or specialty devices.