Help me pick out a sound card, case and optical drive from this list

[RahulM]

Microbytes.com

For my sound card, I'd like to have 5.1 for DVDs and games, and just overall high-quality hardware. And I'd like a good drive that I can watch/burn DVDs and CDs. As for the case, I don't care about the looks, only the convenience and "performance". I'd like to have good airflow and cooling for a very high-end PC. I don't really know what brands are good, so I need Anandtech power.

Thanks a lot guys.

 

[Chode Messiah]

Antec case, Creative Labs sound blaster live 7.1 is under 30. Also, get an NEC DVD+/-RW drive for under 45.

 

[RahulM]

I'm getting a very similar system to what you have, Chode.

Some of the DVD/CD drives cost upwards of 150$ CAD, something special or just overpriced? Also, is the Audigy2 Pro Platinum any good? I hear good things, but it's probably the most expensive sound card on that list.

 

[RahulM]

bump

 

[kitkat22]

There really isn't anything special other than the software. I'm not sure if retail guys actually give real software, but most of the time OEM people hand out the watered down version