mic and soundcard problem

Hi. I recently bought a mic and headphones to use for online games. I have an onboard sound card and have plugged in the two plugs in the right sockets, the mic and headphones. I can use the mic, and I can hear my voice, however my voice is very quiet and there is a lot of static fuzz around it. I have been through all the hardware setup stuff and the volume is set as high as it will go, yet if I just talk with the mic about an inch and a bit away it barely registers on the bar. Can anyone help? Is it linked to me having onboard sound? Thanks