Clipping a raster - is there an advantage to using Extract by Mask

[RosieBell]

I've been experimenting with different methods of clipping a raster in ArcGIS 10. Extract by Mask seems to be the preferred option  - "unless you don't have the spatial analyst extension". I do have the extension, but it seems very slow. Is there any advantage to using this to clip a raster, rather than Clip in Data Management, or exporting the data (after drawing the area with the draw tools). Both the second methods seem quick and effective.

The raster I'm clipping is a DEM (GRID file) if that makes a difference.

TIA Rosie

[MarkEllis]

Does your output have a different extent with one method?  It's been years since I used SA, but recall that the output fills the rest of the extent with NoData when one uses Extract by Mask...