But at what cost? The Razer Tiamat 7.1 will set you back $179, which isn't bad. But to get best surround sound experience, you're simply going to have to shell out extra cash for a 7.1-surround capable sound card. A 5.1 surround sound card will work (as will standard stereo inputs), but you'll be missing out on the extra drivers baked into the headset.

As PCWorld's Desktops editor, I'm fortunate enough to have a large array of PCs and components at my disposal. At home, I dusted off a relatively ancient (2010) and slapped it into my personal PC. But many folks simply don't have a dedicated sound card. Just a few years ago, this sound card requirement wouldn't have been a big deal. But motherboards have come a long way, and for many of us, built-in analog audio outputs have been good enough.

That's a bold claim to make, but hear me out. I'm no audiophile; I appreciate the immersion and detail that a proper surround sound setup affords, but there are plenty of headsets on the market that deliver an excellent experience, despite being software driven. My current go-to set is ($140). Purists will lambast wireless headsets, but any perceived loss in audio fidelity melts away when I'm free to get up and make a drink without missing out on crucial audio cues or conversations.

It's a value proposition, really. If you're using an older motherboard, or simply aren't impressed with your current audio setup, a sound card is going to be a great investment. Once you have that sound card (or if you already own a 7.1-surround capable card), the Razer Tiamat 7.1 will serve you well. If you just want great audio and don't care that it's virtual and not "true" 7.1 surround sound, options abound.