Sound cards no longer necessary on desktops?

HI, The three Dell desktops I own (1998 XPS R450, 2002 Dimension 4550, 2004 Dimension 4600) all came with discrete sound cards. But the XPS 8700 I'm considering buying doesn't even offer a sound card as an option. Instead it says it has "Integrated 7.1 with WAVE MAXXAudio 4", which I assume is audio software.Some questions: Is this typical of current high-end desktops? Is the hardware side of audio now handled by the CPU (I'm probably getting an i7-4770)? Does it do it as well (or better) than discrete sound cards used to do it? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

The onboard sound is just as good as a sound cards, in most cases all you need is a good set of speakers. Looking at what you have there, i would not spend out to buy a sound card.

Thanks for the info. So you're saying integrated audio has gotten much better since I bought my other three computers. I'm going to take your advice and skip the sound card for now.

I am not great at computers, but the sound card (or whatever it is) on the XPS 8700 STINKS! IMHO
I have Klipsch speakers and they sound terrible! They have always sounded great....until now.
I am looking for a card now!!
If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
Thanks!

The Optional Sound card for the 8700 is a SB1350  Recon 3D.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8141031

  70SB135A00002

I don't know what the audio cable part number for the front panel is.

The OEM Dell card looks Different from a Generic Soundblaster 1350.

Creative Labs 70SB135000000 Sound Card Manual

The Dell 70SB135000000 card is designed to work with the built in audio jacks when you get the appropriate cable.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-015851.htm

Midi is no longer available due to the removal of the standard 15 pin Joystick port.

The Roland UM-ONE USB midi interface is what I recommend.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/1157/downloads/

The Dell 70SB135000000 card is designed to work with the built in audio jacks when you get the appropriate cable.

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/cs-015851.htm

Midi is no longer available due to the removal of the standard 15 pin Joystick port.

The Roland UM-ONE USB midi interface is what I recommend.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/1157/downloads/

Thanks for the reply.

Now, that I know that I need a PCIe card, now I can go find one with a midi in/out.

Any ideas on a good card for this computer?

Thank you!

OK! Wow!

So, I have a Roland TD-11 V Drum Set and I can use this Roland UM-ONE USB midi interface and plug it in to the computer and that's all I need?

No need for a new sound card?

This would be great!

Thank you!!

As far as I know a new sound card is not required for Midi.

http://www.rolandus.com/go/windows_8/

However windows does not come with cakewalk or other midi software.

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR

http://download.yamaha.com/usb_midi/