My opinion. Get a white box (OEM) Creative labs 5.1 PCI sound card. They run about $50.
Then, pick up one of those panels that you can route the ports to the front of your computer.
http://www.highspeedpc.com/ About $20
Then, finish it off with something like this.
http://www.refurbdepot.com/productdetails2.cfm?Product_ID=0908 About $160
I know what you're thinking. Why get a receiver? Well, a fully functional receiver with built in DD 5.1 and DTS decoding with amplifier is going to sound better than any sound card.
All you need to make this a fully optical sound setup is a TOS-Link to mini connector that can be found for around $5-$10.
Another advantage to going this route is you'll already have the foundation for a kick butt sound system. Want to add a CD-MP3 changer? No problem. DVD player? No problem. Another benefit is when you upgrade your sound card; it will be a matter of swapping out a sound card and you're in business. You won't lose the investment in your receiver and multimedia interface.
Something to think about. ;D
Colby (Jul 27, 2001 12:30 a.m.):
OK everyone give me some advice I like both the SB Live 5.1 Platinum with Livedrive and the Hercules Game Theatre XP with its external control Box. I like having the Joystick port up front on the Hercules and its supposedly better in EAX Support but I loose the cool IR Remote that the Livedrive has. Im really struggling here. If I knew of a cheap mod to move the joystick port up to the front I might go with the Livedrive. Then again Ive had Win2000 shutdown problems with SB Live cards also the EAX hasnt impressed me much with the Live Value or the 512 cards ive used. Well opinions would be appreciatted.