5.1 or 7.1

[footballdude2k3]

im looking for a decent soundcard, i dont want to spend a lot because i would rather have nice speakers, but i dont want it to suck really bad, thanks in advnace guys

 

[m0nk3ys1ms]

Logitech X-530's are great and they're cheap!

 

[Ramodkk]

Well, it all depends on your room, or how you're going to accomodate your speakers. I've seeen many people putting their 5.1 speaker systems in front of them in their desks. That makes no sense since 5.1 is meant to be installed around you to generate a surround sound.

So, first look for a nice place to put your speakers otherwise a good 2.1 like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121119 would be perfect for you.

Or if you have planned for a nice place to place your speakers - or - you simply don't care about putting all the speakers in your computer desk , then, as m0nk3ys1ms said, I would get the Logitech X-530 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121126

Hope that helped, again!

 

[mkjaekmi]

what's the difference between 7.1 and 5.1?
What's better?

 

[footballdude2k3]

thanks for the help and yes i would like the 5.1

 

[Ramodkk]

what's the difference between 7.1 and 5.1?
What's better?

5.1 has 6 channels for speakers, while under 7.1, you can have 8 speakers hooked up.

 

[Geoff]

what's the difference between 7.1 and 5.1?
What's better?

7.1 has two more speakers then 5.1 (7 total + 1 subwoofer), the two extra speakers go on the left and right about 1/3 the distance of the rear speakers.

 

[mkjaekmi]

so 7.1 is better? It has a more realistic/surround sound feel?

 

[footballdude2k3]

that depends on the speaks, you can get a great 5.1 and an ok 7.1, and the great system will blow the ok system to pieces, just cause its bigger doesnt always mean better

 

[WhiteFireDragon]

you have to spend accordingly on both sound card and speakers because you don't want one of them to be the bottleneck of sound quality. it wouldn't make sense to spend $600 on speakers and $30 on a sound card. it wouldn't make sense to spend $200 on a sound card if you're going to get $40 speakers. so how much are you wiling to spend and which speakers are you willing to get? for desktops, 2.1 should be enough but if you want the surround, 5.1 should be plenty. you won't hear that much of a difference for a 7.1 setup

 

[footballdude2k3]

i was thinking 100-150 for a card and speakers right now, prolly more if i waited, but i would like something now aside from crappy little speakers