sorry, couln't resist...
If you learn to configure arts it does an excellent job, but I can understand if you don't want to. I feel the same way about grub.
I would suggest trying to find an updated sound driver for your card, and search this site (search button waaay up top on the right) for help.
Also
www.google.com/linux is an excellent source of information as well.
I'd search for "kde" "skip" "choppy sound"
Good Luck!