sound card options

i just ordered a new computer ( from cyberpower inc.) with an asus A8N-E nforce4 motherboard. I went with the onboard sound.I'm pretty sure I can call them and upgrade to audigy 2 value for $69 or audigy 2 zs for $95. I'm not on a real tight budget but do work for all my dollars. My only reason for not adding one of these right away is( and I'll try to be brief) when I bought my last computer with asus a7v333 I went with onboard sound, then later upgraded to sound blaster audigy gamer. The sound was 200% better but it seemed like the card was a resource hog. the FMV intro to battlefield 1942 was clear with onboard sound but got choppy after installing audigy 2. I wondered if there if there is another option that wouldn't tax my resources so much, but would give me good gaming sound. about all I will do with new computer is game and surf, I'm not an audiophile so music isn't an issue. and main game is battlefield2.
the rest of the new specs:
athlon64 3000
geforce 6600gt pci express
2 gig pc3200 corsair valu
creative lab 5.1 surround speakers

any opinions will be aprieciated

 

Well you certainly have a nice spec there and will run BF2 fine (like moi hehe) but I'm using a basic up from onboard sound and it's fine when running BF2, the game doesn't require much power for sound but obviously the bigger the better. If it were me, I'd go for the $69 option, not just for the lower price with me being a student etc, but I find the audigy 2 fine, dad's pc has it and performs really well.

 

newegg has the value for for $49 and the zs for $71 if you wanted to save few bucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&Category=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

 

Thanx for both of your responses, I guess the main question I need answered is, is there a better option of sound card that wont draw down my system so much. Good call on newegg I had looked at monitors but hadn't thought about getting my sound card there...yet.
thanks again

 

I just read something about the sound blaster x-fi due out in september. I'll probably stick with onboard sound till then. then see if everything else gets cheaper or if the x-fi is worth the big bucks i'm sure they will charge for it.I'm thinking $250

 

The installation disk has many programs that i never use and programs that like to put theirself in the startup . I just installed the drivers for the value card and it took up less resources.