I currently have an Aureal Vortex2 soundcard (Montego II Quadzilla). It is being difficult to work under WinXP. I'm thinking about getting a new soundcard. 95% of its use will be for mp3z, the other 5% for games. Currently I have it attached to my bookshelf system stereo via a miniplug-RCA jack, which is then attached to 4 bookshelf-quality speakers. I am looking to upgrade eventually to 5.1 setup though. I am considering the Soundblaster Live 5.1 OEM - a lot of places have it for around ~$35. The other cards that get praises on this board are the Audigy, Acoustic Edge, and Santa Cruz..all those cards are around $65, if not more. Are they worth double the money, for my uses?