Honest question here: Is there any real reason to use an add-on soundcard these days, assuming you're not just one of those people who "has to have the best" and also buys $300/foot audio cables because they can "hear the difference"?

Years ago, on-board sound was absolute crap. I know that, because I tried it, it was laggy and sounded ho-hum, so that was the last SoundBlaster I bought.

But, in my last two gaming rigs, I've found the on-board sound to be good enough, that I was not tempted to fuss with the crappy SB driver package/etc. I've not really found anything at all to complain about with my current rig's on-board audio.

So, is the SB just for those who have excess money to blow and feel like they want the "best" or am I missing something? Like the people who buy the $10,000 boutique pre-built machines?

Honest answer: No. Just use the integrated sound.

Some MB's may have feedback issues due to lousy isolation of traces and some don't support EAX. I bought my Sound Blaster Extreme years ago and have always transferred it to each new build but may have to ditch it for SLI.

I question the need for an external card these days as well unless you need it for ripping MP3's or studio apps such as REASON, etc.