integrated computer sound card

I have a computer that claims to support 5.1 channel surround, but the 3 jacks are stereo input, output and microphone. Will these turn into the three surround sound outputs if I just plug cables into them?

I have a computer that claims to support 5.1 channel surround, but the 3 jacks are stereo input, output and microphone. Will these turn into the three surround sound outputs if I just plug cables into them?

No. Stereo is two channels, left and right. You only have one stereo out, by what you said. Even if you have ten stereo outputs, it would still only give you two channels. You need to have an optical or digital audio output somewhere is the computer is capable of 5.1 channel. I am going to go out on a limb and say that the card may be completely able to handle 5.1, but it is not used on your computer as an output. Check for a yellow/gold colored audio out or a toslink(black, small, square with a flip typr door) connection. If so, and you open the door, you should see a red light flashing when some type of sound is going on.

I think I figured it out. I opened Realtek HD audio manager (from the small icon near the clock) and when I changed that setting to 5.1 it claims the stereo input becomes the rear speaker out and the microphone input becomes the center/subwoofer output. I will try this with cables but I have to buy those.

there is the usual pci sound card that you can get, but if you don't have any pci slots available, I know that Creative Labs makes an audigy live external usb option