Is a sound card even worth it anymore? And I'm not asking

Use your inbuilt and if it sounds like shit (e.g. staticy on low bits) get a soundcard

usually though you'll get okay results from turning down your PC and turning up your home audio amplifier, as your audio system probably has a better amplifier than your inbuilt sound

>>56369588
If your motherboard has an optical out, just use that, sound component quality is irrelevant when using digital outputs since you're just sending 1s and 0s.

>>56369621
It does, thanks.

Only if your onboard audio sucks or you want something onboard doesn't support

>>56369588
no
modern motherboards are more than enough for the vast majority of people

if your headphones need more power for whatever reason, or you can hear the interference from your mobo, get an external dac/amp
they're the same price as a decent soundcard these days.

only reason for one if your mobo doesn't support what you're doing or doesnt have enough ports,

>>56369588
Mostly no because onboard is mostly good nowadays.
But you can literally get an old Soundblaster for free and it's still a decent soundcard, so good value.