high definition audio driver package kb888111

[vonbock]

I recently installed an Asus Xonar dx audio card in my home built pc.
I was previously using the onboard sound and audio drivers that came with the motherboard.
My set up is:
Asus P5B deluxe MB
Intel Core2Duo E6700 2.66ghz
Asus Nvidia GeForce 8800GTX
2x 1gig Kingston HyperX
Windows XP sp2
Asus Xonar DX PCI-E x1 slot

I turned off the onboard sound in the bios and uninstalled the audio drivers before installing the xonar drivers.
however I found in my add/remove program list the "high definition audio driver package kb888111. In researching it appears to be a part of a windows update.
My question is do I need to remove this driver package to properly run my xonar drivers ?
the card appears to be running well over all but there are some small glitches, such as a stutter at the start of sentances in some games and an occasional popping sound.
I am not sure if these are from my speakers(not the greatest 5.1 speakers from Sicuro) or if it is due to the sound card. I have checked for updated drivers and found one update patch, but it does not seem to address any of the glitches I have noticed.
any input or suggestions would be appreciated.