(External) soundcard for music and games

[Elaropres]

I have a relatively high-end brand new Acer widescreen Centrino laptop. I am looking for an external soundcard with the following features:
-compatible with games (Half-Life 2)
-inputs for microphone and RCA interconnect (hifi)
-relatively compact size

I would use this soundcard 60% for advanced (but not pro) music editing and playing mp3s and 40% for palying games. I would probably watch very little if any dvds.

I would connect my headphone amp to it with a RCA interconnect and use Sennheiser HD-600 headphone for playing games. I wouldn't use multiple speakers, just the headphones and maybe 2.1 speakerset.

My pricelimit is 300 dollars. Help me out!

 

[folken]

How about the Sound Blaster Audigy2 NX or the Audigy2 ZS Notebook PCMCIA card.

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>

 

[Elaropres]

Actually, I will be getting the Audigy2 ZS for Notebook for sure. It is said to be the best pure gaming sound card for notebooks that is available. However, I don't think you can connect a RCA interconnect to it. Would it be wise to purchase that sound card and than an external (box-type) soundcard for connecting RCA-interconnect and maybe a mike to it.

 

[folken]

You could put an adaptor on those minijacks to go to rca. They have rca to minijack adaptors at radioshack for cheap and they work good.

<A HREF="http://www.folken.net/myrig.htm" target="_new">My precious...</A>