Sager NP5793 sound card questions

I have some questions about audio output on the Sager NP5793 I am likely to purchase in the next week or so.

The audio related specs on this machine are as follows:

Built-in Azalia High Definition Surround 3D sound system w/SRS WOW support
8 Channel output w/o External Decoder - 4 multi-function audio ports
2 built-in speakers & 1 Subwoofer
Built-in Microphone
Sound Blaster compatible
Headphone output / Microphone input
S/PDIF Digital output
AudioDJ front panel with MP3 playback ability

This is all a bit Greek to me as this is my first real laptop (last one was 10 years old and a low end machine when I got it). I would like to hook up my laptop to my HDTV and receiver to watch Blu-Ray movies and play games. DVI allows me to output high def video to my TV, but I am unsure how to get decent audio to my receiver. My receiver is about 6 years old but it does have optical audio inputs and it is a 6.1 channel system.

Questions:

1) Are sound cards necessary to get surround sound or will this automatically be outputted through the built-in S/PDIF output?

2) How many channels of audio output come with this laptop without an add-on sound card?

3) There are two sound card options available for this laptop from XoticPC.com

Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 SB1090 5.1 Channels 24-bit External USB Sound Card - $99

Creative Labs Sound Blaster X-Fi 7.1 Xtreme Audio Notebook Express Card (currently on back order) - $119

My current sound system has 6.1 channels. Will the 7.1 card work fine on a 6.1 system? Is the extra $20 worth the extra 2 channels? I am not familiar with 7.1 surround but I may update my sound system in the next couple years and I am guessing 7.1 is the current standard.

4) Lastly, but most importantly, is the $99 (or $119) worth it for the sound upgrade or will an non-audiphile like myself be very happy with the standard sound output? I can appreciate good quality sound, but I probably have never heard it . If the sound cards deliver then I am willing to pay the extra money to achieve significantly improved sound.

 

The notebook supports both analog 6CH (through the three jacks) and SPDIF digital 8CH through one jack... but you will need a 3.5mm mono to RCA connector (inexpensive).

refer to #1.

An external sound card can be purchased separately for improving music and gaming sounds.

Go for the X-Fi Xtreme Audio Expresscard if you want to get the best music and gaming audio experience for a notebook.... however you can get it cheaper elsewhere online.

It might not be worth it since the on-board sound is pretty good already and there is a slight improvement in sound by getting an add-on soundcard... but might not be worth it.

 

ANyone second that opinion about a slight improvement in sound of the seperate sound card vs. the built-in sound capability? If so, then I will likely forgo getting the seperate card.

Thanks Gophn for the feedback!

 

its just nice to have a dedicated sound card to alleviate the CPU from using its cycles to produce the sound from an integrated sound card.
- which can translate into some framerate improvements
- and use hardware EAX sound in games

Other than that, its up to you to decide if you want to put up the extra $80-100 for a sound card for your purposes.