Help... soundcard

I need help, and I'm looking for some advice..

So I am working with an old Dell Dimension xps from like 98, it was the top of the line then, so I sill use it.. I know I should upgrade, sooner or later...

Thing is I need to update my soundcard, and I am looking for something that will help with my recording off my fantomx.. Currently there is no point recording with the 1/8 headphone jack that came with the soundcard, I have been doing this for awhile now anyways.. Even using to to sample from vinyl, and such but its horrible (thin sounding if anything)..

So what kind of card should I look for, my price point is around 200..

I've read on tweakheads about different cards and such, pci or firewire.. but I'm pretty sure my computer doesn't have a fire wire connection.. what the hell a firewire look like?

Would a pci card be alright, if so what are some good brands.. emu, m-audio?

Just want something that would improve my recording, and the sound playing out on my monitors.. right now i have a headphone to rca going to my monitors, and I'm pretty sure its prolly messing with my sound as well..

any ideas? are there pci to firewire converters or whatever? just looking for some knowledge...

thanks..

Well u asked a question that could go be answered in so many ways. You need to be more specific about whether or not u need MIDI, SPDIF, # of I/O, ect...

But I have the M-Audio 2496 which gets the job done for me.

ONe

sorry i forgot to list more specifics..

midi is not an issue, so no with that...

digital ins/outs is a plus, but not totally needed... although digital in might be better then analog in...

number of inputs, like i said I can get by with two, balanced quater inch plus 1/4s... since I'll be mixing in with an analog mixer, or just the fantomx.. no real problem there with just two.. rcas I guess are fine as well..

number of outs two balanced quarter inch.. or rcas would prolly be fine...

actually anything would be great, compared to my aureal turtle beach montego...

all i am working with now is one 1/8 in and 1/8 out...

So what card has what I am looking for with the best convertors I guess in that price range..

thank you

m-audio is good for starters

thanks man, I am checking on the bay for examples... I'm guessing prolly a m-audio audiophile joint might be good, or a delta..