5.1 sound for PC gaming - worth it?

[AlexC1981]

I've been given a Creative Labs A500 5.1 speaker system that's in good working order. I've been using a beige Altec Lansing 2.1 set for over 20 years and they just won't die (but they like to pop when the fridge goes off) I think the Altec Lansing speakers sound quite good to my ears and they are bigger than the Creative Labs ones.

Considering the awkwardness of arranging 5.1 speakers with cables all over the place, is it worth me upgrading?

I don't game competitively or use the PC for TV or general music listening. so whilst I don't need the surround experience, it sounds like it would be nice to have? I can't bear to wear headphones for gaming, so I would not consider that as an option.

I'll need to buy a new soundcard for them, so I can't actually compare the sound at the moment. I can get a Sound Blaster Audigy card for £27 or there are unbranded cards for about £10 on ebay. If I do decide to use the 5.1 system, is it worth buying the branded card?

[Benni]

OFF TOPIC :

What AL system are you using ?

I have a small 2.1 with subwoofer AND "Dolby Surround" , saved that from a skip 10 years ago,

in case this ever goes pop I bought a BIG system with more grunt AND Dolby Surround, just love the tuneable delay.

[AlexC1981]

The beige beauties are ACS90 speakers and ACS160 subwoofer.

[mikef]

Ha, I got the Altec Lansing ACS 31 beige system "free" with my first ever PC from Gateway 2000, must be over 30 years ago, and they still sound great