If you do "not even need two audio inputs," there are several 2in/2out USB interfaces for your price range. As stated above, a huge advantage of this is they are portable, so you can even use it on any machine that has drivers installed. Check the specs on things you are looking at though before purchasing, as they are not all comparable (can also narrow down your search and make a post asking for feedback from owners, and search for posts on issues with that particular model).
 
Can google around for links like this: http://www.junodownload.com/plus/2011/05/03/10-best-audio-interfaces-for-home-studios/
 
Edit: Actually this link is more specific to your price range: http://www.musicradar.com/us/news/tech/12-of-the-best-budget-usb-audio-interfaces-570850

Just for great output and less input, there is the TC Electronic 6.
 
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct08/articles/desktopkonnekt6.htm
 
Firewire, no midi but superb sound and good drivers now.  If you can handle FW, it should be one of your choices.  $200.
 
Lots of people here like the Focusrite USB.  And the Stienberg is Yamaha.
 
@

Thanks guys, this is great.  Have to go looking now.  The TC Electronic 6 looks good and in  my price range, so are some others.  You've gotten me excited about externals.
 
Thanks again...Steve

mettelus,
 
That was a couple of great links, thanks!
 
Steve
 

I own the FireWire version of the Focusrite (Saffire) and have become a huge fan of them since purchasing. The Scarlett is their USB line and has been pretty popular, and used by many in this forum.
 
One thing I am not a fan of is connections that go into the top of things, simply because it adds to strain on connectors that is not necessary. A few of the models in those links are "top connected" which I would shy away from for that reason.

I had just upgraded my cpu from an i5 750 to the latest i7 4770 with the new motherboard last week. I am using audiophile 2496 with a new MSI motherboard that supports PCI.  With the new i7 CPU I managed to use the lowest latency setting which 128 samples with a total round trip latency of only 7.5 millisecond. Now I can stack stack up plenty of vst synths and kontakt samples without running out of CPU power. 
 
What I am saying is you also have the option of upgrading your CPU to the current generation (4th) which will help reduce your latency. Of cause you will need a new motherboard that support the new cpu. 
 
 
 
 
 

I use the 2496's on my internet machine. Better then the onboard sound.
Use what you got till you know what you really want.
This link will give you the drivers you need for Win 7 64bit,
select delta, next column 2486; OS
http://www.m-audio.com/in...support&tab=driver

FWIW
I used for years RME DSP hammerfall a lot on one PC and a MOTU 828 on another , and RME were much better overall, drivers are always rock solid for PC.
When building a new system a couple of years ago I followed RME tech supp advice and went for Fireface UC. USB instead of FW and believe me, it is fast.
I had an Alesis io2 for my laptop (were I just need 2 in/1out) , with Asio4all. Cheap, ok. It lasted 2 years and died on me last week. I've been researching for a replacement for my mobile setup and ended up choosing
Alva's Nanoface
www.alva-audio.de/nanoface
It's miles away from your realtek believe me.
AFAIK It's from RME( kind of) , you get 4 inputs, vey light weigh, and it must be on your budget (165EUR in europe)  top notch converters for the price.
 
Alternative: Native Instruments Komplete6
Cheers
dd