Need Help Selecting PCI sound card for X2

I am in the process of getting a new computer and upgrading from sonar 7 to X2.  I want to get a new sound card and would like some suggestions.  The computer has a built in wavemax audio 4.  I currently use and emu 0404 and honestly have found that it is a total pain and confusing to use.  I would like something that would be easy to integrate into sonar and much less confusing than the emu.  As far as projects go I will be doing basic recording from my pod for guitars and vox.  I would like to mic drums in the future and I will be using midi as well.  Outs would be two krk speakers and i would like to be able to use headphones with speakers during recording and playback.
Here are the specs for my new computer:
Processor: 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i7-4770 processor (8M Cache, up to 3.9 GHz) Memory: 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 1600MHz - 2 DIMMs Hard Drive: 1TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive 6.0 Gb/s Video Card: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 645 1.0GB GDDR5 Optical Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW), write to CD/DVD (Your computer will only play BluRay if it is specifically listed here)

Jim Roseberry
 
Or you could go with a digital only card... like the RME HDSP 9652 (with external converters)
 

That's what I'm using... well the newer version, RME Raydat, and then it's just the AD-DA of your choice...
Very low latency, and a quality build.

TVG
Thanx for the replies.  All of that stuff seems a bit pricey for me at this time.  I think I am going to go for something a bit more simple.  How about a card with two audio in and outs and midi in and outs? or would there be a good external soundcard to look into instead?
 
 

I can only think of M-audio Audiophile 2496 PCI sound card. But it's audio input/output is RCA only. You can't hook it into a mike nor guitar unless you have an external mixer. But it is inexpensive and sounds good. I am using it with my desktop. My specs are windows 7 64 bit, Sonar X2PE.

I am using the Echo Layla 3g and loving it!

Freex

Jim Roseberry
 
Or you could go with a digital only card... like the RME HDSP 9652 (with external converters)
 

That's what I'm using... well the newer version, RME Raydat, and then it's just the AD-DA of your choice...
Very low latency, and a quality build.

Same here.
Had to upgrade from HDSP9652 to Raydat, just because my new motherboard didn't have any PCI slots.
I really loved the HDSP9652 and would never had chosen any other than it's successor RME Raydat.
 
Rock solid. Super low latency. And also (very important); RME doesn't stop the support for old audio interfaces when new ones get released. They still released new drivers for the HDSP9652 when I had to switch last year! And HDSP9652 is from 2002!

Thanx again for all the helpful advice.  Got a week or so before I get the new comp so I am definitely going to be researching all suggestions.

To be honest, you'd have more luck searching for a USB interface, based on your requirements.  Something from Roland or MOTU maybe.  Is there are reason you're looking for PCI/PCIe options?

Glyn Barnes
I like my Roland Quadcapture. If you do need a more there is the Octa-capture
There is also a cheaper Duo Capture EX without digital ins/outs.
 

 
I can also vouch for the Quadcapture.  I bought one for my laptop and have been extremely impressed.  It has everything you could need, two analog ins/outs, plus two digital (S/PDIF in and out), and MIDI in/out.  The inputs are combined 1/4"/XLR, and the first one can be set to either high or low impedance.  There's a feature that can set your input levels automatically, which I really appreciate.  I'm getting very low latency, even from my somewhat under-powered laptop.  

On my primary DAW, I'm using the V-Studio 700, which is awesome, but to be honest...I could probably make do with the Quadcapture and hardly miss a beat (I wouldn't WANT to, mind you...but I could).  ;)
 
Before my current system, I used an M-Audio Delta 66.  This is a PCI card with breakout box, four analog ins/outs plus digital.  From previous posters, it sounds like M-Audio might be lagging in driver development, which is a shame.  But if they release Windows 8 drivers, I still wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.  I got a LOT of mileage out of that card and it never let me down.  Great quality, easy to work with.   That said, I haven't tested it with my current system (Windows 7 x64, X2 Producer)...so maybe it's time has passed.  I'm not sure.  The thing is, you can find a used Delta 66 for next to nothing, so--assuming you find drivers--you don't have much to lose by giving it a shot.  
 
I'd still recommend the Quadcapture, though, unless there's some compelling reason to avoid USB.  If it's performance concerns, rest assured, your USB port is much faster than any audio you can throw at it (especially with only four ins/outs).  And there's something to be said for getting your audio processing out of that big metal box.  
 
~ Heather
 

TVG:
 
I used to have the 0404 so I know the pain that it is.
 
I would recommend that you NOT get a PCI card. Instead, look at the external interfaces which use a USB connection. This way, you could easily switch it to a lap top or any other computer in a matter of minutes.
 
Decide how many inputs and outputs you absolutely have to have. The less expensive interfaces have 2 inputs, the more inputs, the more the cost. So a unit with 8 inputs will set you back more money. Be sure the interface uses real ASIO drivers.
 
Good units are made by Presonus, M-Audio, Roland, and the one I have is a Focusrite.  Be sure too that the interface has nice preamps and phantom power. Focusrite is known for their crystal clean pre's.
 
Don't be afraid to spend what you need to spend to buy a decent interface. A good one will be with you, and work like it's supposed to for many years. It is the heart of your studio recording system. How easy or difficult things are to record is pretty much closely related to the interface you have.
 
The Focusrite Saffire I bought was $300 and I thought that was a bit steep at the time, however, that interface is totally transparent to the process and has moved between 2 computers without any issues, and to this day is a rock solid interface. I don't regret the purchase at all.

ta7
Maybe a creamware pulsar card of the first generation?

You need Scope 5 for 64Bit drivers under Windows 7.
That may be an expensive upgrade...
 
FWIW, I would tend to avoid older hardware.
It's inviting problems when combined with modern hardware (like bridged PCI slots).

I also have a ua25ex. Works perfectly with Sonar 8.5, X1 and now X2. I heard the newer Roland Capture series interface have better preamps. I would probably upgrade my interface in the near future and most likely would look at Roland product first.