Any number of usb interfaces are available for small change from Tascam, M-Audio, Roland, and many others.
As a fellow guitar player, I'd highly recommend the Line6 UX1 or UX2 because they can cover your interface/soundcard dilemma AND give you a pretty cool guitar sim to boot.
You really can...
1, yes, buy speakers, guitar cabinets will not do
2, yes, buy a better sound card/interface ( the one in your laptop sucks)
3, yes, room treatment and a good set of headphones
ultimate and cheap....gutar>>amplifier>>cabinet>>microphone>>interface>>laptop>>interface>>headphones/monitors
Reason and Live are two great daw platforms and take a completely different approach than what you're used to, but they are both VERY cool if you take the time to get into them. I live Live a lot for it's on-the-fly looping and extensive vst signal chaining ability. I saw Craig Anderton...
It's pretty obvious really. Fender prices the guitars they are proud to sell accordingly. Then they make guitars for people who would like to be considered cool.
There are Yugos and Rolls Royces. Those two guitars have nothing in common, don't kid yourself junior.
Look up pc optimizing..turn off your wireless card, internet, virus protection, any ports not in use (especially USB), and set video card options way back.
Pops and clicks are caused by interrupts to your processor, or can sometimes be attributed to un-stable sound card drivers. Make sure you...