The Creative, Audigy 2 Platinum sound cards offer a host of connection configurations. The Platinum version, for example, has a 5.25" rack that is inserted at the front of the PC, which also requires a large case.

The Platinum Ex, which comes in an external box form-factor, is linked to the PCI card via cable. Despite the fact that the cable does double duty as a FireWire interface, it remains relatively flexible and is relatively thin.

The only inconveniences that we were able to find with the form factors was with the complexity of their installations and their numerous connections, especially for the power supply, for example. While a connector on an extension cable is provided with the Platinum, an unused power connector for the Platinum EX is required. You might have to consider adding a Y connector.

Obviously, a rackless version of the Audigy 2 exists and it's much less costly than the versions tested here. The potential is fairly similar to that of the Audigy 2 Platinum, but so are the limitations. It has to make do with ASIO drivers operating at 16 bits and 48 kHz. That said, like the more advanced models, it is capable of reading DVD audio at 192 kHz and can manage a host of other nifty functions.

The rackless version of the Audigy 2 offers six line 5.1 outputs and one shared output. You can even add a FireWire interface, which is a good choice for DVD audio and video.