Cheap C2D mobo - with sound or not?

[Vertigo]

Trying to spec up a new machine for the gf and I'm getting really confused with mobos.

Looking for something cheapish (70-90ish) for a C2D system. Doesn't need shedloads of fancy stuff like firewire or RAID and overclocking isn't an issue.

Initially I'm looking for some recommendations as there seem to be so many different chipsets around, several from Intel and some from NVidia and I'm lost as to the differences. Other big question is should I go for one without sound and add a £50 X-Fi card or am I better off going with a board with onboard sound? How do the latest onboard sound systems compare with the X-Fi? Don't want to compromise and end up with a sub-standard audio system but if I can save a bit of dosh going this route then I might be tempted.

Any advice appreciated

 

[FirebarUK]

Stick with onboard unless she is a real audiophile. I'd look into the ASRock Conroe945-DVI, an excellent stable board with decent onboard sound.

 

[Vertigo]

What are the differences between the 945, 965 and 975 out of interest?

Was looking at the MSI P965 Platinum a while ago. Has more features than are needed but it has full 7.1 onboard sound and is a good price. Looks like you don't save that much money by going for the cheaper boards so I'm wondering if it's better to get something a bit more futureproof maybe?