How can I find an inexpensive sound card that does what I want?

[ktm407]

I recently got a new motherboard and I am not happy with the on-board sound card. I was very happy with the sound card of my old motherboard. How can I find a sound card with performance as good or better than my old one?

My old motherboard, which I was happy with was a LANParty nF3. It says this about the audio:
Realtek ALC850 8CH audio CODEC
Supports Microsoft® DirectSound/DirectSound 3D
S/PDIF-in/out interface

This is my new motherboard, which's soundcard sucks: Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe It says this:
Audio Chipset: ADI AD1988B Audio Channels: 8 Channels

My main gripe is the recording quality of my new card. First of all, it doesn't have a stereo mix recording option (record what you hear). But also, when it records normally, it doesn't pick up soft tones or ambient sound well. I want something I can record with. My last sound card was great for recording. (The mic array is a piece of garbage, too.) I've download the latest drivers and it still sucks. The SoundMAX software bundled is obnoxious as well.

What sort of inexpensive sound card would be comparable to the first one but not like the second one? I've never bought a standalone sound card before, so I need some guidance here, please. I'd like to spend less than $50 if I could.

If you need to know: Windows XP. AMD Athlon 64 X2. 1 GB RAM. And so on and so forth.
Thanks!

 

[bigpow]

a used SBLive 5.1 (<$15) or Audigy 2/4 (<$40) would be better, a used X-Fi ($40>) would be best.

if you don't need 5.1 or 7.1, a classic SBLive 4.1 value could be had for $10 shipped

 

[ktm407]

I forgot to specify in my original post (which I have since edited) -- would those cards to recommended have decent recording options? My current sound card does not have a stereo mix/record what you hear option. It is also very bad at picking up soft sounds and ambient sounds. Aside from clear listening quality, obviously, I also want something that is good with recording too. (I play acoustic guitar.) I've gotten the latest drivers and this sound card and its SoundMAX 5.2 software still sucks, so I figure I need a new card altogether. Thanks!

 

[PatboyX]

I've got the Audigy 2 ZS and it's got a metric ton of inputs front and back. Perfect for plugging instruments into. I can't seem to find it new anymore but I only paid like 40 bucks for it a couple years ago.
Used, perhaps?

 

[Ghouler]

A sound card with ASIO support + ASIO software is the most versatile combo for recording, so that you can add effects etc and edit both original take and the effects later via various envelopes.

Audigy and X-Fi mentioned above are ASIO compatible, but in fact these cards are general purpose. If you want a card just for recording and stereo playback and won't spend fortune check E-MU 0404. If you want surround sound for playing music, movies and games then general purpose card with ASIO is good.

If you are at least half-serious about recording you should ditch onboard anyway and get any ASIO compatible sound card.

 

[zephyrprime]

Get the x-fi for $50 from circuitcity until saturday.