External Sound cards: Advice + Suggestions (Also, USB vs Express Card vs Firewire Based cards)

Search doesn't work - I hope I haven't missed an obvious similar thread!

I'm considering an external sound card to connect my Studio 15 (if it ever comes ) to a more comprehensive sound system.
I really know nothing about them, and figured this was the quickest way to find out. What are the pros/cons to them, what's the best interface, and are there any ones out there that you'd suggest?

 

Noone?

 

what are you gonna use it for?

are you gonna use it for games or audio quality improvement or 5.1 output or all?

if you just want audio quality improvement i suggest creative X-MOD. no driver required. usb plug and play

there is a 5.1 counterpart to the X-MOD. but you need to install driver for that. usb

i think for gaming your option is limited. as far as i know EAX is pretty much dead or buggy in vista. vista has changed the audio stack in which it broke a lot of EAX implementation.

anyway... go to creative website.. there are an express card, pci card, or usb for gaming i think. you need to install driver for this.

another popular brand for musician is M-audio.

 

Nah, no gaming.
I'm still playing PS2/DC - keeping up with modern hardware is just too expensive (although with the strong € vs £, I might buy an xbox/ps3 online - that's neither here nor there)

It's just for music - lots of it

I might do some rudimentary recording on it too (really basic, hobby stuff)