I've been struggling with an old Soundblaster PCI card, no ASIO drivers, using ASIO4ALL and I guess I've finally had enough.
 
Time for an upgrade. Not sure which direction to go - another soundcard or a USB audio interface?
 
My budget is limited, maybe $200.
 
Anybody have any suggestions for me? I'm running SONAR X3 on a Windows 7 machine with the i-7 sandy bridge processor.

I got one of these when I upgraded from a soundcard 2 years ago.
 

It's been fine for me, I only record one thing at a time. Should be around $210 - $220.
 
Edit -  I'm mentioning it because it works for me, and it's close to your budget.

Read this, you can jump to the section on shopping for an interface using the hot link.  I cover the spectrum of using a DAW on this page. 
 
 http://www.cactusmusic.ca/Recording.htm
 
And PCI type cards are rare these days so not common. 
Pretty much every interface is USB. 
 
Everyone will recommend the interface they have chosen, that doesn't mean it is the right one for you.
 
 

Audient id14...... smokin Burr-Brown converters, reviews are incredible....

this is crazy, but I'm not using it for recording. Recording is done on another machine, loaded with a really good old soundcard, the M-Audio Delta 1010LT. 
 
that card did not work properly in my newer Windows 7 machine, crackly sounding... so  i dont record on it. I do all the raw recording on my old machine and then transfer the files to the Windows 7 machine for mix. Its a more powerful machine and can handle any amount of VST plug ins running for mix... the old machine cannot, but records tracks well, 8 simultaneous live inputs if needed, great for live recordings in my studio.
 
Point of all this... I dont record with the machine I am needing a new audio interface/soundcard, only playback and mix.
 
Does this change any opinions?

Hi. I got a Focusrite Solo for my laptop, just for the same purpose as you.
I've been pleased with it.
It can't compete with my RME, in terms of latency/stability, but good none the less.
All the best.

Audio Interface is common these Days
I use Roland Quadcapture, it's in the pricerange and is really plug'n play. Midi Interface is included, too. If you only playback and mix, will make no difference. Altough,  recording works fine, Quadcap has Auto-Sense to adjust the input signal. Easy to use. When I bought it, it came with Sonar LE :) :) 
 
Cheers :)
 

How is Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6?

If you can find a good deal for 'used' around your price range - the Tascam UH7000 would be my number 1 choice for what you described. Excellent interface that hits way above its' price point. There was one on reverb last week that sold below $250. I almost snagged it and I don't need one right now. The headphone amp is almost worth the price. It's the best I've used.

I got NI Audio 6 for my laptop (only for mixing, not recording). Works fine. :-)