I have to ask. Do I connect my speakers to my sound card well?
This is the end of exactly my speakers:
http://www.elektronika.lt/_sys/storage/2013/07/10/04.jpg
This is the end of exactly my sound card:
http://www.overclockersclub.com/vimages/asus_xonar_d1/07.jpg
What cable should I use and where should I insert which end of the cable? Sorry if it sounds like a dumb question, I just want to make sure I don't connect it dumb. ^_^
As for EAX, it is actually important for people like me. For example I want to replay all Thief series. I also play some other old games with EAX quite often.
You will be able to emulate EAX through creative's software for EAX specific titles, although I don't have experience trying this - from what I remember creative has included software to allow this functionality in their software suite. But you dont have to do that, but if you choose to do so you can. For the most part, you'll always want to use SBX surround, which works with all titles to provide a 3d soundstage (and sounds very nice, as well) without requiring native application support.
I'm somewhat cynical about this because I figured it would be common knowledge, but I suppose not. Anyway, around 7 years ago, microsoft removed 3d hardware accelerated audio from directsound, because frankly, it isn't needed. 13-14 years ago it provided a benefit because CPUs weren't fast enough to handle it - that has since changed long ago so there is no benefit for 3d hardware sound acceleration. Keep in mind this doesn't change the fact that you still need a sound card (whether onboard or discrete) and they will still vary considerably in terms of quality and what 3d sound is supported - most cards support only dolby surround, while the SB Z line of cards supports that in addition to SBX surround. None of these require native application support - but SBX surround is excellent. Very convincing 3d soundstage which sounds as good as CMSS3D to my ears.
So long story short, 3d hardware accelerated audio died many years ago and is a non issue. But this doesn't change the fact that there are still vast differences between the best and worst sound chips/cards, and all of these cards have considerably different 3d sound capabilities. Some chips have no 3d sound capability, while many have dolby surround. SBZ uses dolby surround, THX and SBX surround. There is a big improvement going from plain onboard motherboard sound to a good discrete card. But, don't take my word for it (I've said this a million times) - try it yourself and you will notice the difference. Trust me. As long as you have high quality audiophile headphones, the difference between basic Realtek motherboard audio and a SB ZxR, for example, is huge. Hearing is believing if you have high quality cans.