[Shadowmeph]

Originally Posted by low351

The problem with installing a discrete sound card is that you usually loose your front panel I/O. Make sure you get a card that has a HD audio header for that like the Creative X-Fi.

In fact I'd recommend it if you have the PCI-X 1x available for it.

PCI Express Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio SB1040EF - Sound Blaster - Your Movies and Music. Way Better

It's only going to set you back about $55 shipped air from directcanada...

Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Xtreme Audio 24BIT Sound Card 7.1 PCI-E X1 OEM - DirectCanada

I'm sure you'll get some arguments from the bleeding edge purists here but I'm more of a practical application type of guy and if you think about it, what sound cards will be tested in the next gen games? I would say integrated (realtek) then Creative then a grab bag of the others. So Creative is a safe bet.

what is

HD audio header

?