OT: Building a new box

[Will]

IF, have you actually used any integrated sound recently? There isn't much of a point in getting a seperate card anymore, as most boards will support 7.1 surround no problem, with connections for both 1/8" jacks for "computer speakers" (gonna sound not-so-good no matter where the signal comes from) and either coaxial or optical (or both) S/PDIF for connection to an amplifier for "real speakers". The audio quality is no different between onboard and a seperate PCI card.

It *USED* to be true that you wanted to pay a little extra for a sound card because it was on the same bus as the integrated modem, however, there aren't many system boards that I have seen recently that even bother with modems anymore. The only reason I can think of to buy a seperate soundcard is if:
A) you have an older systemboard or one that does not have adequate sound hardware (or any sound hardware, for that matter)
or
B) you are building a system to do sound recording approaching studio-quality, in which case you probably will want something a little pricier, with an external box connecting to the card with multiple line-ins for mixing.

Anyway, if you're looking for real sound quality, you aren't going to get it from a $30 sound card. Shell out the cash for shielded speakers, a spool of speaker wire (14 gauge is safe for most home sound systems, 12 if you're wiring all through the house, although I know some audio nuts who insist on 10 gauge for a 6-ft connection), and a good amplifier/reciever.