54 Slot Express Sound Card Suggestions?

So, I'm getting a Sager 9262 (Clevo D901C) and have been wondering and researching up on the optionally included Sound Blasted X-FI 7.1 Express Card Sound Card (54 slot). While researching this product, however, I've seen some very mixed reviews.
So, I thought I'd give you guys some facts about myself and perhaps you could all lead me in the right direction.

Remmember, it is a 54 slot express sound card I seek. No USB.
-I use a headset (w/ microphone) when playing video games 99% of the time.
-I will have this in my laptop when in my room (95% of time).
-I want something that can match (hopefully) the black/gray exterior of the Clevo D901C Chassis (I know the X-FI 7.1 is silver, so, meh). This is not very important, though.
-I plan to be using Windows Vista when playing video games, so it should be Vista complatible (I've seen that the X-FI 7.1 has/is poorly designed for Vista, but that the modding community might have some good drivers out?). Otherwise, I will be using a Linux OS (likely Ubuntu).
-Bass is my least important quality for gaming, but it should have a little.
-I do have a 7.1 surround sound set-up at home (I will be at school most of the time, however), so it should be able to utilize that set-up (or at least a 5.1 set-up).
-I don't want it taking up a ton of system resources when gaming (I hear the good ones that aren't very software-based will actually speed things up).
-I hope the drivers aren't too large (the review I linked above said the X-FI driver was like 700MBs large, w/ bloatware, too!) I'm only concerned, as I'll be utilizing 256GB SSD space for everything.

Notes:
-So long as their is some improvement sound-wise (without hurting performance much, if any) I will likely make this purchase. Given the fact that my express card reader is on the LEFT-side of my laptop. Otherwise, I have to use the FRONT-side audio ports, which I foresee as being a pain (get in the way of textbooks/papers/folders/external-keyboard/etc).
-My only uses are gaming and tv/anime over the laptop. I'm not concerned about the tv/anime/movie sound quality, just the gaming. If it benefits the others, however, I'd be pleased.

Hope that is descriptive enough. Just ask me more questions if needed.
Thanks a lot guys/gals!

 

I bought this sound card and its awesome comparing to on board sound.

drivers are pity messy and i still have some problems with it and games( like configuring games to work with EAX and stuff like that) but at teh end it sounds awesome ( I still cat enable in GRID hardware accelerated sound).

For your 7.1 system you have to buy the Docking Station that costs about 30pounds in UK

I thing it si worth of buying, its a bit expensive but you will keep it for 1-2 years together with this laptop and maybe next one.

 

Yea, I've heard the drivers are abysmall for this card.
I know about the docking station, thanks.
The laptop should last me 3-5 years, but I'm willing to upgrade the sound card during that time period if necessary.

I've seen lots of opinnions for the Sound Blaster X-FI 7.1 Express Card Sound Card. Does anyone know about any other compatible/good express card sound cards I should be considering for headset/gaming? Hope so, at the moment, this seems like the only available option. :/