Dear Mattmc91 I recommend this card: http://www.cclonline.com/product-in...ry_id=130&manufacturer_id=0&tid=30sb088200000 Kind Regards
Depends on your budget, but the X-Fi Titanium is a sound choice! Whats the headset your running and the budget?
Cheap as possible, but I've read about a lot of problems with the creative cards? Headset is the roccat Kave. Actual 5.1 support <3 the bass is immense with onboard, but that crackles and pops
hummmm your can get a Audigy 2 or a X-Fi Extreme PCI. What was good Back in the day is still good now, your ears hasnt change. I guess you can find one of them for around hummmm 30 Kwid
Creative tend to have problems with drivers around the release of a new OS recently, be careful with some of the older Audigy cards as they don't get on with Vista or 7 terribly well. Basic functionality (think of it as medium-grade onboard audio like the better realtek chips) - http://www.cclonline.com/product-in...ry_id=130&manufacturer_id=0&tid=30sb107100000 Step up over onboard audio - http://www.cclonline.com/product-in...ry_id=130&manufacturer_id=0&tid=30sb057000000 As far as a normal person needs to go - http://www.cclonline.com/product-in...ry_id=130&manufacturer_id=0&tid=30sb104200000 or http://www.cclonline.com/product-in...d=130&manufacturer_id=0&tid=90-yaa0f0-0uan00z There are higher end cards available that offer a wealth of extra features that some may find useful, they also provide a boost in audio clarity however you do need high quality speakers and source to make the best of them. I run onboard audio through my hi-fi separates as the onboard audio on my X58 based motherboard matches my ageing Audio 2 ZS card that cost a pretty penny a few years back. (Just in case the boss looks please buy THIS! )
Will I recognize the difference between the Xonar DG 5.1 and the DS 7.1? I'm on a fairly tight budget as I said (£30 or so max) but I can push it a little more if needs be. this is only to cover the fact that the headphone (green) is a bit crackly on my mobo.
Honestly if your just gaming you will be fine with the cheaper card. There are standards to support etc but if your budget is £30 really not worth going over as you'll be perfectly happy with the cheaper card.
I have a xonar DG it is awesome, definately get that one if you are on a tight budget. The onboard amp is great and it is a PROPER upgrade from onboard don't let the low price put you off.