is this sound card good for me?

[Stratton]

I'm not sure if i am needing a new sound card. My on board works fine but i want better quality, I was looking at this http://www.microcenter.com/product/316932/Xonar_DX_PCI_Express_Sound_Card I'm not sure if this is a good sound card (I dont know much about sound cards ) i have the asrock z77 extreme 4. I also have a head set which I'm sure aren't good, the turtle beach x31 would you guy recommend to get new headsets to utilize the sound cards abilities? or am i fine with my on board? Normally i would buy them both but a Battlefield 3 problem prevent me (i have to now buy another copy ) so i can only pick 2 of the 3

http://www.microcenter.com/product/316932/Xonar_DX_PCI_Express_Sound_Card

http://www.microcenter.com/product/372794/STORM_SIRUS_GAME_51_HDST

http://www.microcenter.com/product/380424/Battlefield_3_(PC)

 

[Gundy]

You will almost certainly not be able to tell the difference between the onboard audio and the soundcard with a headset under $200. I can't even tell with my $300 headphones.

Unless you plan on hooking up a set of very nice speakers (like $1000 nice) and want to drive it with a clean digital signal don't bother with the soundcard (in my opinion). The only exception is when your onboard sound is causing crackle or line noise.

 

[Stratton]

You will almost certainly not be able to tell the difference between the onboard audio and the soundcard with a headset under $200. I can't even tell with my $300 headphones.

Unless you plan on hooking up a set of very nice speakers (like $1000 nice) and want to drive it with a clean digital signal don't bother with the soundcard (in my opinion). The only exception is when your onboard sound is causing crackle or line noise.

The only static noise I hear comes from my x31. I don't think it's my on board sound. But a jump from x31 that don't even support digital surround to something that does plus a card that ( I think) is better may improve a lot the only problem is that it's 200$ (head set and sound card) as opposed to only 120$ for the sound card and the game. I think I might go with the sound card and headset since I have other games. But is the Xonar dx better than the onboard and how much better?