How to get 5.1 from my PC?

NooBish AbbZ

NooBish AbbZ

NooBish AbbZ

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Hi guys
looking to build my first pc soon and am currently unsure as to how I could get 5.1 out of it.

I'm using logitech x540 speakers. they are currently connected to my xbox through red/white RCA cables, the wires going to the speakers are green, black and an orange 3.5mm headphone jacks.

Would it be a case of simply plugging in the green headphone jack and using the 'matrix' button where whatever signal is received by the green jack is then outputted in all speakers? because that isn't surround; that's just all speakers doing the same thing

so yeah please help :)

Is it something like this I need? Click http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-012-AS&tool=3 or this http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-149-CL&groupid=701&catid=11
 
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Matrix mode creates 5.1 surround from from 2 channel stereo sources, so the sales blurb says, I would be suspicious as you are that it's just pumping 2.1 out of every speaker.

So yeah to get proper 5.1 you need a sound card unless you use onboard sound from the motherboard and with your speaker set up I wouldn't suggest it.

The sound card you linked is alright but I would go for a PCI-E board like the one below;

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-015-AS&groupid=701&catid=11

Or push the money out a bit more and get this 1 below, which seems to be the recommended card atm;

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SC-088-CL&groupid=701&catid=11

I am a sound noob myself, but of cause you should wait for multiple opinions before spending money :)
 
Can't say 5.1 has ever been something I've wanted :/ If I want sound to surround me then I use headphones lol :)

Unless you've got cash to spend on a decent 5.1 system then I'm not sure I'd bother.
 
Use the onboard sound connections the motherboard has. Either that or a Xonar DG/DGX. I wouldn't spend any more than that on a sound card.
 
Phal said:
Can't say 5.1 has ever been something I've wanted :/ If I want sound to surround me then I use headphones lol :)

Unless you've got cash to spend on a decent 5.1 system then I'm not sure I'd bother.
Click to expand...

I won't be spending money on a 5.1 system. I already have one and want to continue to make use of it when PC gaming ;)
 
Well definitely get a sound card at least, 1 of the 2 I posted before. Your mobo's onboard sound probably has at least 5.1 support, mine has up to 7.1.

The other thing is if you care about sound enough to use a dedicated card. There are 2 camps, those who say onboard is fine and those who say the difference of a sound card vs onboard is a night and day difference.
 
esoteric said:
Well definitely get a sound card at least, 1 of the 2 I posted before. Your mobo's onboard sound probably has at least 5.1 support, mine has up to 7.1.

The other thing is if you care about sound enough to use a dedicated card. There are 2 camps, those who say onboard is fine and those who say the difference of a sound card vs onboard is a night and day difference.
Click to expand...

Will look into it, thank you :)
 
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