any suggestions to get best audio from computer???

Just got a new computer and supposed to have a 7.1 surround (mainly interested in 2 channel performance)but now computers have no manuals so haven't found out it's specs yet and I don't see any phono (RCA) outputs all I see is just those awful looking candy colored 1/8" mini jacks.Yuck.Think I have seen a Sound Blaster rig that fits in front slot that has phono in's and 24/96 sound,remote etc and might have set of RCA out's for rear slot.A remote should be coming (rig I bought is demo and it was missing) and has lower end TV tuner card so should have remote access to TV,Radio,etc but w/o inz and outz may not be able to have a good sound.(The TV tuner only has inputs so would have to use only with monitor or HDMI TV I don't yet have).And ultimately I am worried even with good RCA in's and out's put into back slot the computers circut wirring they will have to travel through in computer might nullify the whole pursuit!?!Thoughts?

I remember that just 5 years ago Stereophile featured just a simple 2/496 sound card and it was $500 BUCKS!Now I expect all ad on options should be cheaper.And if I find better in's and outs maybe it will be worth using AR Powered Partners or maybe Sonic Impact Super T into my beloved little B&W 302'sand maybe a cheap sub.If somebody has researched among the many computer sub sats and found a price concious winner would love to hear about it.Will check C/Net and perhaps try to answer some of my own questions and will ad it here if something looks good about sounding good.
Cheers
Chazz