Right-click on the "Speaker" icon that should be located on your "Desktop" toolbar. This is usually on the right side at the very bottom. This icon will look like a speaker sitting sideways.
Click on "Open Volume Mixer" to display the general settings of all audio devices that are connected to your machine. There you may make changes to turn devices on or off, or adjust the devices' levels individually.
Notice the level indicated on the volume control itself. In addition to having a level adjustment, you see the monitored audio on each volume control channel. The audio will be represented by a fluctuating vertical green line. Now you have what is needed to monitor your sounds on your computer's sound card at any point in time.
Click the "Start" tab to be directed to the performance settings of your machine.
Select "Control Panel," which is followed by the option to go into "System and Maintenance." Clicking that button will take you to "Performance Information and Tools." This is where you find the "Windows Experience Index" test and measurement application.
Select "Score This Computer" to get a accurate measurement of video signal capability within your machine.