Yeah, you're really gonna need to do ASIO to effectively record in most sequencers, unfortunately. That's at least my experience. Get an audigy 2, I know that a 2 ZS for a laptop has ASIO drivers and sounds ~okay~ and I got mine for about 90 bucks. I dunno about for a desktop though. If you're serious about producing music, though, getting an ASIO card is very important.

My normal drivers work fine in Cakewalk 9 with no noticeable latency for the 8 or 9 tracks I typically use, but I know that I am stuck in the past here. :) I won't buy an Audigy because it's a Creative card, but I do intend getting an M-Audio Audiophile 24/96 when I upgrade my PC shortly. Hopefully that will be the the last couple of pieces in the puzzle.