compatible sound card for hp z400

[gypsypunk]

Hi i have a hp z400 quad core 3.4 ghz i am looking for a sound card
the hp z400 quick specs show soundblaster NH222AA as there compatible
pci.
but these are quite expensive and a lot of stockists are out of stock
so i prefer to buy a cheap used one on ebay
just not sure what would be compatible but here is the recommended pci sound blaster.
http://www.serversdirect.co.uk/Hewlett_Packard_Creative_XFi2_XtremGamer_PCIe_Audio_Card_NH222AA/version.asp

any advice is appreciated

 

[JDFan]

Does the system have a USB port open ? - There are USB sound cards that are very cheap and work fine (you just plug them in and windows recognizes them) - you may need to go into the control panel to set it as the default device but that is easily done. If you are in not in a real hurry you can get one for $1.03 direct from CHINA but it takes about 3 weeks to get or there are US based suppliers that have them for around $5-$10.

I just got a couple of these ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/140722246963?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT ) last week (took 3 weeks for shipping) for a system that the Onboard Audio broke on, and they work fine. (Just noticed you are in the UK so checked and they also offer free shiping to the UK but not sure how long it takes there )

Just plug your speaker or headphone connection into it and plug it into a USB port. They are Realtek based chipsets and are plug and play devices on Windows so will install any drivers they need when plugged in. For the cost you can't really go wrong.

 

[gypsypunk]

i am a little new to sound cards but i installed a firewire card and then installed a m audio firewire solo
i may be really dumb at this point but does the sound card even get used now in my set up