So for the past 2 or 3 incarnations of my computer Ive stuck to the onboard sound. Recently Ive been having a couple of issues (mainly related to crappy drivers) with my onboard, and Ive also read a dedicated card can help to remove some prosessing pressure from the CPU.

Im not looking for anything amazing, I use headphones 99% of the time, do a lot of gaming, film watching, and music listening to  

Id like to avoid Creative if possible.

Quote from: White GiantId like to avoid Creative if possible.

Great cards, bloody terrible drivers!

Terratech arent too shabby in my experience.  Cheap too, maybe not up to Creatives standards, but at least you dont have to go hunting for 3rd party drivers that work.

I got an audigy 4 sat on my desk, Im using the onboard one and its no different, except it works.

I wouldnt spend more than a tenner on one now, something like http://www.ebuyer.com/product/106539/show_product_reviews

or get something a little moe pro from dolphin.

Quote from: Beaker

Quote from: White GiantId like to avoid Creative if possible.

Great cards, bloody terrible drivers!

Terratech arent too shabby in my experience.  Cheap too, maybe not up to Creatives standards, but at least you dont have to go hunting for 3rd party drivers that work.

Terratec probably make better cards, tbh, although at that price they are all much of a muchness.

As stated, go for something cheap, or pay for something semi-pro if you really want audio quality. Id consider a terratec. Id be loathe to recommend wasting money on anything by Creative that costs more than £15

Hmm, Id pay more than £15 for a decent card, maybe upto £40 - any suggestions? I cant stand poor drivers.

The point I think I/we are making is, unless you spring for something semi-pro, the difference between the £10 SB 5.1 and something like a £40 XtremeMusic or whatever will be unnoticable, other than paying for some horrible DSP effects.

The only way to get truly better SQ is to buy a card with a decent DAC and analogue stage, a good entry to this end of the market would be the M-Audio Revolution 5.1/7.1

All Soundblaster cards have an inherent problem that they resample all streams to 48khz regardless, not so hot for SQ.

I have a Soundblaster X-Fi Music and have to say that it is stunning.  I too only ever used on board ones.   I always thought, well its all about the amp/speakers etc and so any bog standard 5.1 one will do the job.  This is not strictly true ... you need to take a listen.  Best monies I have ever spent.   Sound is very noticeably better than the onboard I had before.  

Read the reviews ... !!!!

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/112512/show_product_reviews

Its all hype and DSP effects, quotes like this should not be taken positively:

QuoteThe 24-bit crystaliser is amazing! Even with 64Kbps MP3s, it turns them into something more like 160Kbps MP3s! And this is on Game mode!

Analogous to cranking up the bass and treble on my car hifi.

Im not saying the cards wont sound better than onboard, they will! You have less EMI and other issues and generally better components. There are better cards out there than the expensive Creative range though. Cards that dont use DSP effects to fool you into thinking it sounds better.

So I might as well stick with my onboard?

I would, if its not offending you other than the drivers.

If the sound quality really offends you, spend £40 on the M-Audio card or something of its ilk.

Im buying an E-MU 1212M when I have the spare readies.

I dont have any effects turned on my X-Fi, the sound is really terrific.  Its a shame you just cant go in to a shop to demo a card.  TBH, there are better cards out there, but its all dependent on what you want to us it for.  Components are going to be better than a typical on-board.