Recommend me a soundcard

[TooNice]

I am reluctant to recommend Creative because of their business practices, yet if I was to build a PC I intend to run on XP, I would still likely to get an X-Fi (a cheap but 'real' one - i.e. not the Xtreme Audio). They are still far ahead of onboard sound, in my opinion. I only need to hook my Westone UM2 to be convinced that onboard is discrete sound card is still the way to go. Azuentech's Prelude is pretty much a customised Creative card for most part, and the Xplosion didn't do it for me. I am somewhat curious about the Xonar, I'll give it a shot someday, but I am weary that people might be hyping it for more than it really is. Will see.

[ikix]

do soundcards actually make any sizeable difference on lifting some weight off the CPU?

[TooNice]

Not enough to make it a reason for getting one.