Id just like to add to this review,
I recently did a build for a friend and put a X-Fi Platinum sound card in. Heres the link for it at newegg,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102190
The card as ryan stated is absolutely awesome. And i agree with him 100%. Though the platinum does come with the panel you put in an empty 5.25" bay, this makes it quite nice and adds some good features.
I plugged my guitar in and with a little fiddling around with settings it sounds quite nice, granted its not as good as a guitar amp but its pretty neat. The other ports also offer some extra functionality for those of us that need it.
The only bad thing, is the remote. Yes it works fine, but it is a little on the "cheap" side. It really dosent take away from the overall product but they could have done a better job with it, mainly the EAX, 3DMIDI, CMSS-3D, and 24-Bit Crystalizer scroll wheels.