Is a decent 5.1 sound system possible here?

[torrenter]

Hi guys, hope you can help.

I've decided that I want to have great sound to go with my new Plasma. This would obviously be there for when I watch movies, but also for when I play games off my PC. I can already transmit the audio and video already over HDMI, but I want a 5.1 surround sound setup aswell.

To build the picture, I recently put together my first custom pc but am not sure whether to buy a sound card for my system, if I even need one. The following is all the relevant hardware that I have, minus a 5.1 speaker setup (speakers and subwoofer).

A Gigabyte GA-X58-UD3R motherboard. This has all the analogue ports for a 5.1 system on it. It also states that it has onboard audio with the Realtek ALC889 codec. This lists Audio Info from Gigabyte's website:

"1.Realtek ALC889 codec
2.High Definition Audio
3.2/4/5.1/7.1-channel
4.Support for Dolby® Home Theater
5.Support for S/PDIF In/Out
6.Support for CD In "

I also have an ATI Graphics Card, the HD 5870. According to ATI it has intergrated HD audio controller.

"Output protected high bit rate 7.1 channel surround sound over HDMI with no additional cables required.

Supports AC-3, AAC, Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio formats "

So my question is do I have everything I need? Apart from the 5.1 speaker setup. Or do I really need a £60 Sound Card? Will it make a difference here?

On the choice of speakers, I was looking at the Logitech Z5500 system. But I was also recommended the Onkyo HT-S5305B system.

[jim]

Use the optical cable, job done. You could get a sound card, depends how much of an audiophile you are. Given the amount you're thinking of spending on speakers, I wouldn't worry about the soundcard.

If you're going to go get something like the Onkyo, I'd buy a separate AV receiver and speaker system, and hook everything up properly.

If you want a really easy to use, PC-only solution, then stick with the Logitechs.

[Will404]

Use the optical cable, job done. You could get a sound card, depends how much of an audiophile you are. Given the amount you're thinking of spending on speakers, I wouldn't worry about the soundcard.

If you're going to go get something like the Onkyo, I'd buy a separate AV receiver and speaker system, and hook everything up properly.

If you want a really easy to use, PC-only solution, then stick with the Logitechs.

Surley if you just go optical you will get 5.1DD from things like DVD's which allready have compressed audio, but with games you will only get sterio? Would you not need to go with three 3.5mm to phono convertors and plug them into the back of the reciever's analogue in.