What is the Intel® High Definition 7.1 Audio like in comparrison to the, say £250 end of creative? Will i notice a difference playing with Fruityloops?

Not that I am up to speed but I thought this was still unreleased as a format.

I know you can buy equipment kike HDD TV but not sure if software is there yet ?

I have the HD 7.1 on my new PC, 197kHz (i think) compared to standard 44kHz. Difference i noticed is the sounds are really crisp especially if the music is well sampled, really nice! Not sure what software supports it, i use WinAmp and iTunes. Quake 4 sounded rocking too!