Sound Card - Purchase and Installation Advice Needed

[Murcuseo]

I've recently started running in to on board sound issues, so I've decided to invest in a decent sound card. I'm a complete novice in regards to sound cards and their installation so I'm looking for the best advice possible on purchase and installation.

Here is my system info below, so please give it a read through, and if you can, suggest some Sound Cards and relevant installation tutorials.

I have a £150 upper limit, but it doesn't have to be used. If there are lower priced alternatives that are just as reliable, I'd appreciate the guidance.

Gigabyte X58A-UD3R
2.70 gigahertz Intel Core i7 920
Sapphire ATi Radeon 5870 1024MB
6GB Corsair XMS3 (1600MHz)
Corsair TX 650w
ST31500341AS [Hard drive] (1500.30 GB)

I hope that's all the necessary information. If there's anything vital missing, please let me know!.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Tealc]

You haven't given any information on your needs for using this soundcard. Music, games, films? Speakers? Headphones?

If you just want a card that's a step up from the onboard sound you could go Xonar DG PCI card for £20. http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-012-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=

..or if you want things a little nicer maybe a Xonar D1 (PCI) or Xonar DX (PCI-E)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-002-AS&groupid=701&catid=11&subcat=

Do you need to go better than that? If you were happy with onboard any of these will already be a significant jump.

As for installation.

Turn off PC. Open the side.

Locate a suitable card slot, PCI for the PCI card solutions (the white slot on your mobo) or one of the two PCI-E 1x slots or one of your spare PCI-E x16 length slots. Push the card into the slot.

Fix the screw if applicable to the PCI bracket. Fit power cable if it's a PCI-E Xonar. Put side on.

Power up PC. Put in driver CD and install. Simple.

 

[Murcuseo]

Apologies, I didn't even think to put the usage in the first post. lol

I'd mainly be using it for Gaming and Music, and I use both headphones and speakers, depending on the game, so something dynamic is preferable.

I'm certainly willing to go a bit higher than £50, but if these cards are as good as, or equal to some of the more expensive ones, I'll give them a look/chance.

Also, a question regarding the power for the PCI-E. I'm not entirely sure my rig has the right cable/adapter for Sound Cards, but it was a system built by Overclockers, and there are a couple of spare cables/adapter leading from the PSU in to the cable housing on the side of my case. Are the power adapters universal, or are there specific ones for sound cards?.

Many thanks for your reply.