Sound card advice: Creative or M-Audio?

[alman7272]

I'm pretty tired of my integrated sound which I've had to use since my old Soundblaster card crapped out, and want to get a new card.

I have a crappy pair of 2.1 Logitech speakers (don't even know the model number sadly, but they sound awful) and some PC140 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106347) headphones, which I primarily use.

Now while I'd love to get a hundred dollar card, I want to save some money because I'm also considering purchasing a new 500 or 750 gig hard drive. So I've found two choices, albeit there's a price difference.

M-Audio 5.1 Revolution (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829121122&Tpk=M-Audio), $60.99 -- good reviews, reputable company, 24-bit sound, 109 SNR, 192khz sample rate, DTS decoder..

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102003), $27.99 -- cheap, 24-bit sound, a huge upgrade to my integrated crap..

I mainly nowadays listen to my music, but I still game a bit. Is it worth spending the extra 30 bucks to get the M-Audio or should I go frugal and get the cheaper Creative?

[AntiochusIII]

Alright, I hate to hijack this thread, but I'm having the exact same problem and dilemma as alman7272 here. Anyone? Help two fellow Orgahs in need here. :sweatdrop:

:help:

Also, how much does the Sound Card actually play a role in my computer's sound quality output?

*In short, bump =P

[Bijo]

Since you'll be using it for normal desktop activity you are looking in the proper directions. Obviously the M-Audio card my eye notices there is better than the SB card you show.

I would put it in a simple way: if you wish simple normal average sound use which is decent for the task, go for the cheaper card; if you require or want something better for more or less the same task, go for the more expensive M-Audio one.

[alman7272]

Gah, well just my luck the M-Audio card was "deactivated."

So I broke down and bought the Sondigo Inferno (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156003). For 80 bucks, it's a pretty good deal. Was considering a bluegears card as well, but this was 15 bucks cheaper. Hoping it'll sound good on my PC 140s. If not, then I could go for PC161 or PC166.