Sound Card Preamp Is A Sound Card A Preamp? Or Vice Versa?

Is a sound card a preamp? or vice versa? - sound card preamp

IM in the home studio and instant messaging will drown in all the forums and jargon. I want decent sound files, instant messaging, work from a Compaq Evo N1000v laptop with a crappy sound card (I think), I will record all the piano and singing, guitar, and also low. Perhaps the battery. Who knows, the home recording studios, which could start some advice for me naked neccesities to? I do not buy what I need or forgot what they need. Thanks in advance for one ton.