External USB soundcard Vs Motherboard soundcard, diferences? – Hardware (Instruments and Effects) Forum

More of the “pro” audio interfaces are external, but there are some exceptions.

I don’t think it makes any difference as far as performance goes (CPU, latency etc.), that is more about the specific piece of gear.

You’ll probably find newer devices are faster than older ones, though — I got quite a boost when I switched from a Behringer UMC1820 (clone of a 1st-generation Scarlett 18i20) to a 3rd generation Scarlett 18i20.

The main advantages of external are that the analog parts can be better isolated from potential noise sources, there’s more space to dissipate heat, more room for I/O jacks and controls, more convenient placement of controls, maybe useful indicator LEDs, you can put the computer with its cooling fans somewhere farther from mics, you can use it with laptops, and so on.