Sound card options?

[aznpwned]

I recently built myself an i7 rig, and I was just wondering about getting a dedicated sound card instead of using the onboard.
I use my rig mainly for listening to music while web browsing/working, and some fairly heavy gaming.

Specs:
i7 920
Asus P6T deluxe
GTX 285
2x WD640GB
12GB ddr3 OCZ ram

It would be nice to keep it less than $100 CDN.
Ive been looking at the Creative x-fi titanium, is that any good?

 

[Lumberboy]

Less than $100 CDN I recommend the Asus Xonar DX. Check it out at http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29395&vpn=XONAR%20DX&manufacture=ASUS

I own it and I am extremely impressed by it. I like it better than my Auzentech X-Fi Forte that I used to have.

 

[outlw6669]

^ +1 To the ASUS Xonar DX.
It is heads and shoulders above any of Creative's current offerings.

I would recommend avoiding Creative's products at all costs.
They are overpriced, have sub par audio quality, terrible driver and OS support.
Instead, look towards ASUS' Xonar line, HT|Omega or Auzentech for a quality card.
The ASUS Xonar DX (PCIe) and D1 (PCI) are excellent budget cards and either would suit you fine.

 

[gamerk316]

Any ASUS, HT Omega, or Auzentech would be a good place to look. The ASUS D1/DX is a very good card to start with, before moving up to the > $100 range.

 

[aznpwned]

Does the Asus Xonar DX have a front panel audio connector?

 

[outlw6669]

Yes it does.

EDIT:
That is actually the PCI Xonar D1, woops!
The PCIe DX has the connector in the same spot though.