How do I hook up 7.1 surround sound to my computer?

Question

I'm planning on buying a 7.1 surround sound card but I only have 3 jacks on the back of my computer. I have enough speakers already, and I was just wondering how to connect all of them to the computer.

Answer 1

Well for one, the number of speakers don't matter unless you have the proper receiver to drive them.  In your case, you do not yet have the H.D.M.I. 1.3a receiver capable of driving 7.1 surround sound.  Starting there, the lowest price you'll be spending on a receiver is 359.00 U.S.D. which would get you an Onkyo TX-SR606.

Now on to the computer, you'd need to purchase an H.D.M.I. 1.3a sound card capable of putting out 7.1 Surround sound.  There are currently two of those known but none of them are available on the market yet.  They will be released in September of this year and the prices are unknown.

In addition to this, if you are hooking them up to a television set, you'll need to purchase an H.D.M.I. processing video card.  This will add an additional 49.99 U.S.D. plus shipping at the very least.

All in all, you'll be spending:

receiver:  359.00 U.S.D.

sound card:  unknown

Video Card:  49.99 U.S.D.

Shipping/Tax:  unknown

Total: 408.99 U.S.D. plus the sound card and shipping and tax.

If you are willing to downgrade to 5.1, you could do it for as little as 29.99 U.S.D. for the sound card and 130.00 U.S.D. for the receiver.  Don't expect anything spectacular, but it will be light years beyond P.C. speakers.

Answer 2

when you buy a 7.1 sound card the mannual will tell you all you need to know with reguards to how to connect the soundcard to your 7.1 setup. most use 4 stereo jacks that split to 2 phono plugs which will need to be connected to a 7.1 AV AMP or dedicated 7.1 pc speaker setup.