newbie needs help on sound card and speaker

[lancer player]

i have a dell dimension 2400 p4 2.2ghz, 256mb ddr ram, 40gb 7200rpm hardrive with SoundMax Integrated Digital Audio with the stock dell speakers. I want to upgrade the sound card and speakers. what is a good sound card and speaker combo that is cheap and will give good sound? also for the install of the new card do i just swap the old one with the new one? dumb question but i'm a newbie! THANKS!

 

[xDarkWizardx]

For a sound card you want to get the Creative labs Audigy 2 ZS. For speakers I would just get something that is 5.1, either from Creative Labs or Logitech (personal prefrence )

 

[nba_andy]

regards to install, since the standard one is integrated its part of the motherboard so if you get a pci soundcard just insert it into a spare pci slot, and install new driver(should come with a cd, if not windows will probly automatically reconise it), easy stuff. also im not sure but installing a sound card non professionally can potentially void your warrenty. xDarkWizardx we can dream, man i wish i could afford somthing like that, i especailly like the dual sli 6800 ultras

 

[LittleHoov]

i have a Dimension 2300 and i opted for an Aopen Cobra 5.1 card and Logitech Z-640s, i know they dont sell Z-640s anymore, but theres an equivalent im sure, im very happy with it, and alot of the reviews ive read have compared my card to creative cards and whatnot...this is my card http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=29-117-105&depa=0

honestly unless youre just a hardcore audiophile i dont think youd ever notice a difference between that card and a creative one, just my $.02