7.1 card used with 5.1 speakers?

[scpunx]

Is there setting on this 7.1 card http://www.soundblaster.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=16770&nav=0 that can be changed so you can use it in exactly the same way as a 5.1 card? will the sound be split between the speakers as if i was using a 5.1 card?

cheers

 

[geofelt]

Onboard HD has the ability to use 2.1, 5.1, 7.1, etc.. and has no problem configuring 5.1 speakers.
I imagine that the add-in card would do the same.

Is the add-in card really necessary?
The cpu savings are negligible today, and the sound is very good.
Some of the add-ins have strange driver problems.

 

[scpunx]

Hmm we really i just want to get the best sounding audio as i can get for a good price.. i here a lot of people saying once they got this card they would never go back to using there onbored audio again.. what do you think?

 

[geofelt]

Hmm we really i just want to get the best sounding audio as i can get for a good price.. i here a lot of people saying once they got this card they would never go back to using there onbored audio again.. what do you think?

The best sound comes from the best speakers.
I suggest you get the best speakersyou can afford first and see how it goes.
You can always add the sound card later.

 

[stoner133]

That depends on the oboard sound you motheboard has, newer ones have HD sound while older boards don't. I wouldn't expect a $50 audio card to be much better then a newer boards onboard HD sound. Now there are add-in cards that do have better sound but you're getting well above $100 for those.

 

[scpunx]

here is my motherbored http://eu.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Products/ProductsDetail.aspx?DetailID=685&CategoryID=1&DetailName=Feature&MenuID=46&LanID=8 its not the best make in the world.. can you tell me if the onbored sound card on it would be as good as the sound i would get from that soundcard?

thanks btw

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

What are you listening to btw? The onboard will be fine for music and movies but will not work in surround sound for games. Gaming is the only real reason to get a dedicated sound card unless you are a audio extremist.