So when I first purchased this awesome computer I bought some Soundblaster Kratos 2.1 that used Aux plugin and they were sawweeet. Then i wanted to upgrade to better bass/sound and I was introduced to Soundbars. I went with Vizio 36" 2.1 or something and it was awesome - that's where i started to learn about optical/digital connections. which led to bitrate and all that shiz and all very cool. Replaced that soundbar with a 5.1 of same vizio 36. Was using the optical one which ment i had to use my big screen as monitor and not my sweet curved 30in.

So here is first part of my question i guess... For best quality sound would nvidia - hdmi/arc be better or Realtek ALC1220? I'd like to use the Realtek for the software and other shenanigans (front case rgb music)but all I see on my comp is something like this

I'm assuming those 3.5mm are all for like speaker wire type things? I'm just wanting some awesome fricken sound and I don't mind rockin a soundcard or anyting else either. Just want to know what would be pretty top tier for what I have atm. I like all the DTS & Dolby **** too.