Audio - worth buying a card?

[s37d]

I'm considering a sound card for my new computer, but realizing that all these new boards come with what looks like good built in audio, with optical outputs and all. I'm big on audio and have a good Cambridge Soundworks 5.1 surround system with optical in, a port which I haven't been able to make use of yet since I've never had a computer system with optical out on it. My question, is it worth buying an additional sound card these days - is there even a noticeable improvement? This looks nice: Newegg.com - HT OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards

 

[Eric1]

Onboard sound is not really all that bad, but I notice a diffrance in playing games and music without a soundcard. I personally am not ready to trade my sound card in for onboard sound. Check out the Creative cards, they are almost the best out there.

 

[s37d]

Yeah I've used creative since I got my first pc years ago. I've been using a SB Live! 5.1 for the past 7 years, but it has no optical in, so I haven't been able to make use of my speakers' optical out port. Creative software has also been pretty bad. I hear these new HT cards are good which is why I posted one.

 

[Nitestick]

if you have a digital co-axial output on your card and corresponding input on the speakers that should be just as good unless you're in a high interference area.

 

[s37d]

Nah no digital coax, just a digital mini plug, which can't transmit 5.1 because I've tried it with CyberDVD.