Need help choosing Sound Card

Hi guys,

I just finished my new gaming rig, and would like to add a sound card to it just to produce better sound.
Im currently using windows 7 HP and 7.1 headphone (or maybe its virtual) Sony DR-GA500.

On my motherboard, the only slots open is PCI, ( i saw some of the sound cards are pciex, and that is not possible in my build).

Im willing to spend 150-200 dollars, can you guys recommend me a good sound card for gaming and music? (80% gaming.) The Sony headphones also uses 5 cables of 3.5mm jacks(right now connected to 3.5mm jacks rear panel mobo) to produce 7.1, and im not really familiar with audio setups, so should the sound card have 5 3.5mm jacks or no?

Please help me
and if you read until here, i appreciate it

Thank you!

psic taken from google.

Asus Zonar ...... Series check them out.

Hi there, thank you for the reply.

My Mobo is Asus P8z68-vpro/gen3, it has 3 pcie16x slots, one blue, one light blue and one black colored. I think I can move my GPU (R7970) to the light blue which will give me a free PCI and PCIex1 slot(the smallest pci) and have the R7970 work at x16 right?
I am sure that the black colored works only at x4.

I am willing to SPEND $0-$200 for the sound card.

My concern is that, can I connect my Sony processor to the xonar d1? My guess is it can, but not sure (im blind at sound cards)..
Is there any other sound card u think its compatible for my headset and can produce 7.1? willing to spend 200 bucks for this..

Thank you!

PS : im also using 1 PCI slot for my wireless n adapter.
theres 2 PCI slots, 2 PCIex1, 3 PCIex16

I would go for that Xonar D2X, but I cant find anywhere that is in stock.. Even at Newegg.com or amazon.com.
So, I guess you think that auzentech is better than Asus's sound cards?

Also, you mean that with the Xonar DX, it can give me equal performance just like the Sony Processor?

By the way, without any sound card, The Sony DRGA500 has dts option settings in Sound in Control panel, but it is all greyed out, there is no driver at all for this headphone..

PS: im using windows 7 hp.

xonars are so are creative labs latest offerings
sounds like you need a usb sound card solution
ceck out recon 3d usb setup

The Recon3d series STINKS. Just about everyone I've talked to basically confirms they are a step back from teh X-fi line [which I don't hold in high regards anyways...]

Right now, ASUS/HT Omega/Auzentech are the way to go. Best PCI options:

ASUS Xonar D1
ASUS Xonar D2
Auzentech Meridian 2G
HT Omega Halo+
HT Omega Claro XT
ASUS Essence ST

The D2, Meridian 2G, and Halo+ have very simmilar feature sets, and are all based off the same exact C-Media chipset. I used the D2 and was happy with it, but the Meridian 2G is a newer refresh, and probably the best of the three.

The Essence ST is, frankly, the best soundcard on the market right now. Problem is, it has a different feature set then what you need [Stereo RCA and a headphone amp].

Best PCI-E options [assuming you get a slot free:]

ASUS Xonar DX
ASUS Xonar D2X
ASUS Xonar Xense
Auzentech Home Theatre HD
ASUS Essence STX

Obviously, you have options. Anything that includes 7.1 analog output should be able to connect to your headset without a problem.