Can you recommend an Audio Card?

[morser]

I've always been a fan of the SoundBlaster brand, but thought I would ask peoples opinions on Audio cards since there aren't any in the Wiki hardware section. I'm looking for a PCI card that will be able to take some load off the CPU if possible. USB is not an option, because I don't want to interfere with the bandwidth of my USB tuners.

My system is using the on board SoundMax Digital Audio. The newest driver isn't current, and I've worked on an issue where the video and audio do not sync perfectly during playback. I've got it as good as I've ever seen it so far, and when it gets out of sync, if i fast forward, pause or rewind, the video matches the audio then slowly goes back to being unsynchronized.
My most optimal setting at the moment is using the "DirectSound for SoundMax" on the Playback tab. The audio is JUST behind the video, but it stays consistent in that spot. FYI, i'm using fddshow for video, the only one that plays non-choppy.
I'm thinking a more modern card will help it render sound better.

[morser]

Was looking at some of the following:
1. Seems to have good hardware onboard:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/S...CatId=2771
2. May not have good hardward onboard?:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/S...CatId=2771
3. Basic SoundBlaster, but no Optical Out, maybe not much better then my onboard?:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/S...CatId=2771

[pcostanza]

I have 2 systems using Soundblaster's X-Fi but both are Vista systems and there's really not that much out there (reasonably priced) for Vista other than Soundblaster. A friend recently went for a very low priced Turtle Beach (Montego I think) and was surprised how good it was. You have lots of choices for XP.
I'd search Newegg.com and check the reviews.