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The AC97 audio codec was invented by Intel in 1997, and was specifically designed to put in place a standard specification that could be followed by developers to help in the development of integrated personal computer sound devices.

Intel developed this codec so developers could build in high quality audio devices on a PC, which could deliver a 96kHz/20bit playback in stereo mode and a 48kHz/20bit playback in multichannel mode. However, this codec is now almost obsolete due to the introduction of the Intel High Definition Audio, which was introduced in 2004.

AC97 drivers follow the AC97 development standards. AC97 addressed the standards for Input/Output as well, for modems with MC87, a modem codec and AMC97, a codec for the modem and audio combined. MC87 and AMC97 are included in the component specification for AC97 drivers.

The AC97 standard includes many features which are typical. The capability for Comprehensive Power Management, the ability for mono outlet used with a speaker phone, a mono speaker outlet that is internal, analog stereo input capability of one to four, analog mono input capability of one to two, stereo audio that is sixteen bit full duplex, stereo output that is both dedicated and auxiliary, CD input that is high quality analog, pinout assignments that are in a forty eight pin QFP package, and MIC input which features a twenty dB boost, an AEC reference capability, and a programmable gain.

The AC97 standard also defines optional features included. There are controls available for loudness and tone, enhancements to three dimensional stereo are included, an output for headphones, the capability to sense a jack, the capability to report, resolution options that include eighteen or twenty bit, and digital output utilizing a transmitter that is an Integrated Sony/Philips Digital Interface.

The AC Link is the digital link that allows the AC97 digital controller to be connected to the AC97 codec. An AC Link is a bi-directional TDM format interface that contains five wires, and will support the connections of a maximum of four codecs on one single card or circuit board.

AC97 supports many different audio outputs, including amplified stereo headphone, analog 6-channel support for both front and Surround Sound personal computer speaker systems, analog stereo, Surround Sound that is analog matrix-encoded for home theater systems, and a digital output 5.1 channel for home theater systems.

The codec AC97 will not always involve coverage of the AC97 Digital Controller, and AC97 drivers are used instead, which are developed following the standards for AC97 by vendors of the controllers. This codec also allows the specification of clocking, signals, pin assignments, addressing, power management, strapping, protocol, sample rates, behavior, slot assignments, performance characteristics, and many others.

The AC97 standard was a big step in audio devices for the PC which were standardized. Today though, computer usage has changed. The AC97 drivers and standards were developed when the audio was needed just to listen to music or watch a DVD movie once in a while. Now consumers are used to audio formats with multiple channels in full surround sound systems that include six to eight speakers. Because of the new computer audio requirements, the Intel HD Audio codec was developed to replace the AC97 drivers and standards. New computers allow the generation of many audio and video streams from one PC, and AC97 does not have these capabilities.

It is possible to download AC97 drivers from a variety of sources, and not all will include the AC97 drivers from Intel. There are a number of generic drivers that can be found and uploaded online, and roughly two thirds of PC users who have AC97 drivers use a generic version for their audio needs. It is possible to find AC97 drivers for almost every operating system, including Windows, so make sure the driver and operating system are compatible with one another before installing the driver. For example, some AC97 drivers, such as the ICH AC97 Driver, which is a BE operating system sound driver, do not support Windows, but does support many SIS, Intel, and NVIDIA chip sets.