computer audio/speaker purchasing help

[outsiderz]

ok heres the deal. Right now I have:
1. A Shuttle Sb51G SFF that is using the onboard sound (has an open PCI slot)
2. crappy $20 desktop speakers

now, I have 4 home theatre bookshelf speakers sitting around unused. These are the speakers with the (excuse this highly technical definition) the two little wires that you clip into the back of a reciever. I have no receiver to plug them into however. I need to get a nice home audio/surround sound thing going on my shuttle. my options:

1. buy a home theatre reciever and plug my 4 speakers into this. The problem I see with this is that I wont be able to use surround sound running movies/games on my computer if I plug it into the receiver, even if the reciever supports 5.1 or whatever because I would still be using the onboard motherboard sound.

2. buy an audigy/extigy or something if there is some way to hook up my 4 home theatre speakers into it, I dont know if this is possible.

3. say screw the speakers I have, buy an audigy and some 5.1 computer speakers.

I would really rather option one be viable, because my budget is very tight. anyone have suggestions?

 

[Nebor]

Wait, so your shuttle doesn't have 5.1 sound?

Anyways, I'd recommend buying an Audigy 2, then a reciever with 5.1 analog inputs, and connect it all that way. Because if you use a digital connection, you're not going to get sound from your rear speakers in games.

 

[outsiderz]

ahh. so it does support 5.1 sound. never really paid attention to this before ;-) so if it does support 5.1 sound I can just buy a reciever with 5.1 analog inputs and it should be golden?

 

[MDE]

Review of the SB51G

It does have 5.1 sound onboard (Realtek ALC650) and optical out.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: outsiderz
ahh. so it does support 5.1 sound. never really paid attention to this before ;-) so if it does support 5.1 sound I can just buy a reciever with 5.1 analog inputs and it should be golden?

Yup. And if down the road you want more sound quality, you could always get a nice soundcard.