Upgrade Sound?

I'm using an integrated sound system on my computer with the standard speakers that the computer came with. A few of my friends have upgraded their sound cards and speaks, and told me it is amazing.

I can't got to thier houses to hear it (they live pretty far away...), but I was wondering if it really does make much of a difrence?

I mostly listen to mp3's, but I also play some games, so is it really worth it to upgrade my sound card and speakers?

 

Just upgrading your speakers will make a difference. As for upgrading the sound card, unless you watch movies, there really is no need.

 

get a sound card thats 5.1 or better

 

After i got my SB live and soft moded it to a Audigy 2 ZS i was convinced that i whouldent go back to onboard sound... ( then again i do a lot of music editing ) thare isent a real big dif. from onboard to the audigy 2 ZS other then the bass is richer and the highs are crisper...And when gameing a good sound card can make a huge dif.. with EAX support in some games ( when i play red faction 1 with head phones its just amazing ) but in the end its up too you....also i should note that onboard sound is getting better ( more so on hi end mobos )......

 

I use sound cards on both my PCs. One is an A7N8X-E Deluxe mobo which had very good reviews for it's onboard sound capabilities. It's a shame that the speaker connector at the back is broken.
I notice an amazing difference when playing games like HL2 or CS:S. The sound is much richer and you get the full 3D experience.

 

I heard a distinct difference between my onboard realtek 6.1 sound and my audigy 2 card. The audigy was notebly clearer.

just my two cents, I noticed the same when I used it with onboard Nfore audio, too.

 

Me too and I noticed a distinct ability to hear more gunshots and footsteps with a 24 bit sound card. I can hear more of both compared to onboard sound and I can tell exactly where they are. (Counter Strike Source).

 

Well it looks like I should at elast invest in good speakers. If I were to get good speakers, would I need a good sound card to use them to their full potential?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions as to what speakers to buy, or is it possible for me to use the speakers form my stereo? They arn't amazing quality, but I'm sure they are better than the computer speakers that I'm using now...

Thank you all for all of your comments and advice!