Get a new sound card or a microphone?

[Navid]

I have a P4P800 deluxe motherboard and use the on-board sound. I have a 5.1 speaker system.
http://www.logitech.com/index....id=19&languageid=1

I cannot connect my microphone since all three audio jacks are used by my speaker system!

I can either get this sound card
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=29-102-162&depa=0
which will have a connector for my microphone as well.

Or, I can get this USB microphone.
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=36-111-601&depa=0

I do not listen to music on my PC. I play games with it.

Which one should I go for?

Thanks,

Navid

 

[CSMR]

Probably two of your speakers are being used as microphones at the moment.

 

[Navid]

No.
At the moment, it is a 5.1-channel setup with no microphone. I can connect the microphone if I set it up as 4-channel.
But, I don't want to have to keep doing this every time I need to use the microphone.

 

[The J]

CSMR: Some onboard sound devices have software to reconfigure the function of each port, depending on the amount of channels.

Navid: Since you play games, a soundcard would make a difference from onbard sound. I used to have the onboard Realtek ALC60 running in 5.1 mode, but got the Audigy 2 ZS and it made a noticeable difference in frame rate in UT2004. You could get an earlier Audigy model and a microphone if you don't have a budget for both the Audigy 2 ZS and a microphone. EFIT: I also want to add that I noticed a difference in sound quality as well, mainly that the Audigy gave smoother bass with my old Inspires (I have MegaWorks 550 now).

 

[CJP]

I've got that Logitech USB Desktop Microphone and though it's more expensive than other desktop mics it seems to be more sturdily constructed than my last one and so far has worked great (I use it for voice commands, haven't tried it in games yet).