I am using a SB AWE 64 with 4 megs  of on board RAM using a 4 meg sound
font file.
I also have another PC with a SB32 PNP with 2 megs of on board ram using
Creative wave synth to simulate 64 voices and is using a 2 meg sound font
file.
I also have a 486 with a very common SB 16.
I use these PCs for normal apps and games. Can I see a big difference
?.....NO...but I am not editing sound files or writing music or using my PC
in a professional sound studio.
For normal use  I think it is more important what you plug your sound card
into, I have mine plugged into a regular Mitsubishi 60 watt reliever that I
picked up at the swap meet and two enclosed Alpine Tri axial speakers that
came out of a 280 ZX I use to own. This setup sounds better then good ...it
sounds great on any of the cards ....far better then any of the <PC
Speaker> setups I have heard.......at least for the games and apps and
occasional audio CD I use it for.
mark

Michael Gerke wrote:
> I am hoping to upgrade to a new sound card in the near future and was
> hoping for some information regarding wavetable cards.
> I have seen two types of cards: Those featuring hardware wavetable and
> software synthesis wavetable.
> Just how do they compare as to sound quality?
> Any brands/models that are known for good quality but also reasonable
> price.
> BTW: I am not planning to get involved in MIDI recording or anything of
> that sort, just your usual apps and games.
> PS: Will MIDI files play back sounding like 'real' instruments with a
> wavetable card?
>