Anybody here put these things through some rigorous game/audio testing?.

Yes. I've been using them since... hmm... 34xx version I think. And they are GREAT ! Work without a problem with EAX games (use little more cpu power, because EAX is 'software') no hardware support yet. But they give you better audio wuality, and more (and I mean MORE) settings and options - a MUST HAVE for Live/Audigy/Audigy2 users. Thats my opinion.

I don't see why using this drivers unless you like ugly menus

I was going to try these a while back but they didn't support my audigy2 platinum. I watch dvd's and make full use of the 6.1 capabilities of my sound system though I do have a lot of trouble with the creative drivers. If I can get full 6.1 support out of these I will try them, I don't much care about eax.