What is a typical characteristic of a sound card?

A typical characteristic of a sound card is that it improves audio output. Sound cards are specialized hardware components designed to process audio data, enabling higher quality playback and recording of sound compared to integrated audio solutions. They provide essential functions such as digital-to-analog conversion, audio mixing, and support for various audio formats, which contribute to an enhanced listening experience, whether for music, gaming, or other multimedia applications.

In contrast, enhancing display capabilities relates to graphics cards, which focus on video output. Increasing CPU performance is associated with upgrades to the processor or its architecture rather than a function of a sound card. Meanwhile, facilitating wireless communication is the domain of network cards or similar devices, not sound cards. Therefore, the role of a sound card is specifically tied to audio functionality, distinguishing it from other components that serve different purposes.