Intel HD Audio

The correct Intel High Definition Audio drivers will allow you to achieve high-quality multi-channel sound from the sound subsystem integrated into the motherboard, comparable to the sound quality of discrete audio cards on the PCI, PCI Express bus or external USB and FireWire with an average price. Instead of buying an expensive sound card, it is worth downloading the latest version of the Intel High Definition Audio driver for free for the integrated audio subsystem, which will ensure quality and speed when playing and recording sounds. Supports up to 8 (7.1) channels 96 kHz/32 bit, or stereo 192 kHz/32 bit, Plug and Play, multi-streaming, detection of connected equipment with changing the connector function to the desired one and much more. Also find sound driver for another card.

Brief description

The times of silent films and voice acting of games by PC speaker (built-in speaker of IBM PC) are long gone. Today, not a single computer game, movie and even home video for friends, relatives or posting on YouTube can do without good sound. Moreover, the sound should be powerful, clear, high-quality, multi-channel with support for modern audio technologies. It is not always necessary to buy an expensive sound card from a well-known manufacturer for this, it is often enough to download the Intel Controller driver, which is built into the MB chipset, to realize the capabilities of the built-in High Definition Audio.

The Intel High Definition Audio specification describes the principles of interaction between the host controller on one side of the bus and the hardware audio codec on the other. According to the specification, HD Audio codecs must perform digital-to-analog conversion with a sampling bit depth of 32 bits for two channels with a sampling frequency of 192 kHz, or for 8 (7.1) or fewer channels with a sampling frequency of 96 kHz. Plug and Play is supported, as well as broadcasting several audio streams simultaneously to different PC connectors, detecting connected equipment with changing the connector function to the desired one, and improving the quality of speech recording from several directional microphones simultaneously. Support for S/PDIF via optics or coaxial 96 kHz/32 bit, work with modern HD audio formats DVD-Audio, Dolby Digital Surround EX, DTS ES, gaming 3D standards EAX 1 and 2, A3D, DirectSound3D, Sensaura, Dolby Digital 5.1 encoding and much more.

Intel HD Audio works on Intel Express Chipset motherboards with Intel processors. If your PC has an Intel motherboard and processor installed, instead of the popular Realtek HD Audio drivers, it makes sense to download the Intel HD Audio driver for Win XP, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10 (32-bit and 64-bit) for free from this page https://drivers.us.com/audio/intelhdaudio a secure site without registration and SMS. The software from the official Intel website will work more reliably, more stably and more safely. The following processors are supported: Intel Pentium, Core i3, i5, i7 Processor and Mobile Processor on the system logic B43, G41, G43, G45, Q43, Q45, GL40, GM45, GS45 Intel Express Chipset, as well as on chipsets from 910 to 965 in modifications G, P, GV, GL, PL, XE, X, G, P, X, GZ, Q. In addition to Microsoft Windows XP SP3, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (32-bit and 64-bit), Mac OS X, Linux, OpenSolaris, FreeBSD, NetBSD and OpenBSD are supported.

Historical Review

In the nineties of the twentieth century, it became possible to create advanced home multimedia centers based on personal computers. A computer with a top-end video accelerator and a high-quality sound card was connected to a large-screen TV and home Hi-Fi or High-End audio equipment. Such an entertainment center, placed in the living room, allowed you to listen to music, watch movies and play computer games with maximum comfort. One of the best sound cards for high-quality multimedia computers at that time was the Creative Sound Blaster. In 1996, Microsoft presented the DirectSound API, and in 1997, Intel - AC'97. Using the built-in sound subsystem based on Audio Codec'97 was suitable for listening to music and watching movies. Distribution of video and audio DVD-disks Dolby Digital and DTS, as well as RIP-copies of such DVD-Video, required an upgrade of the computer audio subsystem. The Analog Codec'97 specification has, as a maximum, six-channel 48 kHz/20 bit or stereo 96 kHz/20 bit. More channels with better quality were needed.

In 2004, Intel HD Audio was created with support for up to 8 channels (7.1 or less) with 96 kHz/32 bit, or stereo 192 kHz/32 bit. The increased number of effective bits has a positive effect on the real dynamic range of the DAC and ADC, improves the signal-to-noise ratio, reduces frequency response unevenness, intermodular distortion and other sound quality parameters. The new standard led to a significant improvement in the sound quality of sound cards, primarily when playing high-quality multichannel formats. During the development, the working name Azalia (Azalia specification) was used, but the specification was published on Thursday 15.04.04 with the current name Intel High Definition Audio Specification. In comparison with the previous standard (AC'97), the number of channels was increased and the sound quality was significantly improved. Six years later, also on Thursday 17.06.10, version 1.0a was released with minor corrections.

Microsoft used Intel HD Audio as a base for Universal Audio Architecture, according to which it is possible to use a universal driver from Microsoft for correct sound. Working with MS UAA implies compatibility with a wide variety of host controllers and codecs. Host controllers are developed by Intel, AMD and nVidia. Compatible audio codecs are produced by Realtek, AD (Sound MAX), IDT (SigmaTel), VIA (S3 Graphics), C-Media, Wolfson and others. Support for broader functionality is implemented separately, for example: DS3D, EAX, Sensaura, ASIO with support for 44.1/48/96/192 kHz 24-bit PCM, 1-bit Direct Stream Digital and others.

Dolby Laboratories implemented Dolby technologies on Intel's High Definition Audio, including Dolby Pro Logic IIx, famous for its ability to play old stereo recordings in 7.1 systems. To comply with Dolby Logo, the hardware must meet the following requirements: FR 20 Hz to 20 kHz from +0.5 / -3 dB to ± 0.5 dB, SNR from 55 dB to 75 dB, THD+N from ≤-60 dBFS to ≤-65 dBFS.

Interface

The interface of the HD Audio Manager is implemented as a large window with tabs. The design of the panel is eye-catching, with large icons and images. There are no difficulties in the settings, everything is intuitive and simple.
Screenshots https://drivers.us.com

Multilingual support simplifies even the most complex settings for users. In the tabs, you can add ambient effects, adjust the equalizer, including using presets, activate karaoke mode, set the speaker configuration and test the speakers with a test signal, select the sampling frequency of the digital interface, change additional settings of the sound device. You can adjust the volume of all channels of the 7.1 audio system. When connecting an audio plug to any connector, the Audio Wizard is called, where you manually specify the type of connected equipment.

Features

High Definition Audio Controller solutions are preferable to AC'97 and low-cost discrete sound cards. Intel High Definition Audio solutions are comparable to Creative Sound Blaster Audigy, but do not reach Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2. For owners of Express Chipset series motherboards with Intel processors, we recommend downloading the Intel Audio driver for free without registration to get a computer with high-quality sound output to both 7.1 standard computer speakers and electronic audio equipment.

The ICH6 south bridge contains both HD Audio and Audio Codec'97, so Microsoft UAA, Sensaura, and other AC'97 sound features are supported. Despite optional backward compatibility with AC'97 and support for Intel PC Home Theater 5.1, the new sound is much better. We recommend downloading the Intel High Definition Audio Driver for Win 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, XP (32-bit and 64-bit) for free to play any audio formats, including DVD audio ideally. The new version has higher standards for frequency response unevenness, channel penetration, and intermodular distortion. Multi-threaded audio playback is supported with the ability to simultaneously broadcast two or more audio streams to specified computer audio outputs. Gamers can talk while playing.

The front audio output is usually easily accessible for connecting headphones, a microphone, and speakers. The opposite is true when it becomes necessary to connect headphones to the rear audio jacks of built-in audio systems, especially if the computer is located under a desk next to the workstation in a cramped office. Changes in load impedance are analyzed to automatically detect the connected equipment. At the same time, those who managed to download the Intel Audio driver for free via a direct link from the secure site https://drivers.us.com without registration and SMS will see active ports.

In order to improve the clarity and quality of speech recording, the ability to record from three microphones has been implemented to achieve optimal directionality and increased noise suppression. Three inputs work with an array of directional microphones, Beam Forming, Universal Audio Jack, Acoustic Echo Cancellation and Noise Suppression technologies. Having such a high level of audio recording quality is critical for streaming, voice recognition, voice typing, IP telephony and modern communication technologies.

Among the advantages, the following should be noted:

• - support for modern computer audio formats,
• - multi-threading (output of streams to different PC outputs),
• - detection of connected equipment by load impedance,
• - use of dedicated resources, preventing failures,
• - recording from several directional microphones simultaneously,
• - low noise, uneven frequency response, increased dynamic range,
• - DAC with a sampling bit depth of 32 bits on two channels up to 192 kHz,
• - copyright protection built into DACs for working with DVD,
• - optional integration of headphone amplifiers on the analog output,
• - optional encoding in Dolby AC-3 for playback through a home receiver,
• - volume controls for all 7.1 audio system channels,
• - compatibility with gaming EAX 1 and 2, A3D, DirectSound3D standards,
• - signal processing with stereo conversion to AC-3 (5.1).

It is important to note compatibility with the main sound standards: DirectSound 3D from Microsoft (DirectX component), A3D from Aureal, Environmental Audio Extensions from Creative Labs first and second versions. It should be noted that the latest versions of EAX are owned by Creative and are supported only by modern sound cards manufactured by Creative Technology Limited. For example, Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS complies with EAX 4 and produces unique audio effects in games.

Testing of Avance Logic ALC880 HD Audio Controller in RightMark 3D Sound showed the presence of hardware support for DirectSound 3D and availability of EAX 1 and 2. Testing in the RMAA program passed with an overall rating of "Very good". Interpenetration (separation) of channels is within the norm and does not exceed the value of competitive sound solutions, even more expensive ones. Nonlinear and intermodulation distortions are low. The noise level and dynamic range are within acceptable limits. Such an important frequency characteristic as unevenness of the frequency response is visually good, although there are waves.

Download the latest version of Intel High Definition Audio driver

Last update: 01/05/2025.

Free download drivers: Intel HD Audio 6.0.8924.1 for Windows 10, 11 (357 MB)
Stable version 6.0.8924.1 for Windows 10, 11 (64-bit).

Free download drivers: Intel HD Audio 6.0.1.7982 for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (362 MB)
Stable version 6.0.1.7982 for Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (32- and 64-bit).