To 24bit or not to 24bit?

[dcfac73]

G'day. I've posed this question to a few people, and i've yet to get a definitive answer. If I use a 16bit internal soundcard, and latency and recording aren't of any concern,and if I mixed down 'in the box' to a 24bit format. Will the resulting file be true 24bit? I've tried doing this and the computer thinks it's a 24bit file, but is it? In other words do I need to use a 24bit compatible soundcard if all I'm using are Vsts and I don't record?
I'd appreciate any answer from anyone who knows what they're talking about.
Thanx from David in Sydney.

[krushing]

The soundcard isn't involved in the rendering process - it's just the CPU doing it's thing. So yep, it's "true" 24bit.