My monitors have speakers in them sound levels that are controlled by a button on the monitor itself. The sound levels don’t run very loud. Is it possible to increase the sound level on the monitor by adding a sound card to my computer or am I just limited to what comes out of my monitor. I also have a volume control on my desk top. Both levels are at their max and that sometimes isn‘t enough if I want to watch a movie or video. Wasn’t sure if a better sound card would fix this.

I would check the sound levels on the application itself. Also, a sound card COULD help but it would probably be easier to get a set of powered speakers instead. Be sure you have it in a headphone port instead of a line out port as line out does not take any preamp amplification.

not really a fix as such but useing vlc would solve the problem most likely

Get yourself a set of these

Newegg.com - Logitech Z906 500W 5.1 Speakers

With

Newegg.com - ASUS 90-YAA0E0-0UAN00Z 7.1 Channels 24-bit 24 bit 44.10 kHz Playback 24 bit 48 kHz Playback 24 bit 96 kHz Playback 24 bit 192 kHz Playback PCI Interface Xonar Essence Sound Card

Crank that baby to the max. Tell the neighbors to start waring ear plugs.

Some Iron Maiden would sound real good on this combo. And then when Bruce starts singing "Yeahhh! Yeahhh!! Yeahhh!! Hallowed be thy name!!!!" Friends from a mile away can join in.

NNNNNNNN not quite my style. But get where you are going with this. I would rather hear nothing then the grinding of metal guitar strings like fingers nails on a chalk board. Even have to count to 50 when the guy living below me turns his up.

Listen to what Adam said with regard to the active speakers Daisy as that is the road to go down although to my mind it is a little bit over what I think your requirements would be.

Something cheap and cheerful like this would suit you.

LOGITECH LS21 2.1 Speaker System buy online | Currys

These are what I'm currently using

Amazon.com: Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX Certified Computer Speaker System (Black): Electronics

I have a cable switch that lets me run the TV off them too. Usually I'm just watching stuff on the computer ON the tv but like last night the Packers were on so I switched the speakers over to the tv cuase the speakers on the TV are just garbage.

I've got a set of these laying around too,

Amazon.com: Altec Lansing BXR1221 2.1 Speaker System (Black): Electronics

dont use them on the current laptop as its actually got decent sound, but they worked alright when I had my old laptop.

Thanks everyone. Mainly got away from outside speakers because of the spaghetti of wires that always seem to accumulate with computers and everything else. Have a small place now. So if you get the air conditioner and fan's going and fridge making noise tends to drown things out quickly LOL The Altec Lansing speakers don't look like they would take up much room if I do decide to go the route of speakers. Still in the thinking stage. Not something I have to have.

OK OK, maybe I went a little crazy. Not everyone wants to spend $500-$600 just to hear their computer. Besides I paired them up wrong. I put 5.1 speakers with a 7.1 Sound Card. I couldn't find any 7.1 speakers that I liked.

Spent a fortune on my stereo, i did ask next door neighbours if they wanted to make a contibution when i bought it after all seeing as they would be hearing it a lot, looked at me a bit stupid so i politely told them the next time they put theirs on too loud mine was being turned up to 11.

they do need reminding from time to time