USB headset or Soundcard/3.5mm headset? HELP!

[echopapa]

Basically right now im using onboard sound with a 3.5mm headest. I want to be able to hear enemies coming up behind me in games like CS:S & Modern Warfare 2. Will i get better performance and these results out of: a plug in usb headset with its own soundcard? or a standalone soundcard coupled with a good 3.5mm headset?

Any links to recommended gaming headsets/soundcards would also be much appreciated! Thanks in advance guys.

[madhatter256]

what motherboard do you have? i would stick with the standard headphone jack, and not USB.

Anyway, I went from onboard audio (realteck ALC880) to a creative x-fi extremegamer. I can hear things a lot better and more in CS:S. So, a dedicated sound card, at least an X-fi card is highly recommmended.

[echopapa]

I have a Gigabyte ep45-ud3r mobo.
I have a pair of older (had them for probably 4 years) SonyMDR-v600 headphones that still work well, but im thinking I may upgrade.
So this is the one you're recommending? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102006&cm_re=xfi-_-29-102-006-_-Product

I always see 3-4 diff x-fi cards and dont really get what the differences are.