Soundcard necessary with this motherboard/audio codec?

[torpedoPhil]

Hi guys,
 
I'm configuring my very first and completely new desktop PC and will have this mainboard http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.de.asp?Model=B75%20Pro3 which has this audio codec http://www.realtek.com.tw/products/productsView.aspx?Langid=1&PFid=28&Level=5&Conn=4&ProdID=284
 
I'm using the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm headphones pretty much all the time. I will be using it mainly for gaming and also music and some movies. So for music it should be able to be cranked up and have a clear stereo sound and for gaming some surround would be nice, which the internal audio codec seems to cover. I was planning on getting the Xonar DG soundcard or any other if I find a better one until I order everything, but am now wondering if the soundcard would even improve the sound?
 
Any recommendations for a great soundcard for my needs would also help. I've even considered the Xonar Essence STX, but it should really be convincing to spend that much on a soundcard.
 
EDIT: I almost forgot, wouldn't it be better if I was able to use the 6,3mm plug then the 3,5mm plug. I don't think neither the onboard sound or the Xonar DG have that option.
 
Thanks for your help

 

[chewy4]

At the very least you should get a soundcard with either CMSS-3D support(Creative X-Fi/Audigy), or Dolby Headphone(Xonar). They're very nice effects for gaming, and after having used them myself I would never want to game without them again.
 
Size of the plug doesn't make a difference.

 

[torpedoPhil]

Thanks for the response.
I'm currently using the Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Surround 5.1 Pro which is an external sound card. But because I don't have Toslink on my Laptop I can't really use it's full potential. Do you think it would be enough if I just use the onboard sound and connect it to the Creative Sound Blaster X-FI Surround 5.1 Pro via Toslink? Would that change anything?
 
I'm trying to get the best sound out of this system, so would you recommend any specific soundcard for my use if you don't think the aforementioned configuration would be satisfying?

 

[chewy4]

I'm confused with your first question. You're saying you don't have Toslink, but then you're asking if it would be good enough to just use Toslink?
 
If you do use Toslink as input to your external soundcard, you're bypassing your onboard sound completely and using the Surround Pro to its full potential. I'm not familiar with that device and it's specs though so I can't really comment much on it, but it sounds like it's something that applies CMSS-3D and does OpenAL processing as well given that it's X-Fi.
 
My opinion about DACs/Amps are in the minority on head-fi: I think that if you don't hear any noise at normal listening levels, and you have a good amount of volume headroom(<=~50% of volume gets you normal listening levels) you're good to go as far as sound quality is concerned. There is of course distortion to worry about as well but with most modern stuff it shouldn't be a problem. 
 
I personally use a Titanium HD running through an Asgard myself but it's total overkill. I don't hear any significant changes in the cleanliness of the sound between that, an STX, or an Audigy Soundblaster 7. Although amplification is totally different between the three, but I just use them as DACs. I'm not claiming to have golden ears though, so results may vary.

 

[torpedoPhil]

Quote:

I'm confused with your first question. You're saying you don't have Toslink, but then you're asking if it would be good enough to just use Toslink?
 

 
 
I'm using a Laptop now.
When I have my new Desktop PC I will have Toslink.
 
I'm in a hurry now, so I'll read the rest later and comment. Thanks for your response.