I am not sure I understand the original question, a few years ago it was necessary to buy an expansion card if you wanted anything approaching reasonable sound as on-board was rubbish. A few years ago I bought a top of range Creative Audigy 2 pro only to find that their drivers were crap. A machine of age described should have on-board 7.1 of good quality, if not you need to say what you want to do with it as that would greatly determine choice.
I would add that part of my background is in professional audio and I find on-board acceptable but I am no longer working in a studio.