How would i connect my pc to a 5.1 receiver?

[JSantiago]

My motherboard supports Dts connect and dts ultra pc 2 which means it has 7.1 or 5.1 surround sound support. 

1. What is better to use S/PDIF or analog output? or should i go with hdmi? 

2. For this combination to work do my receiver have special features that i should have for my computer to pass it through s/pdif/analog or hdmi? 

3. Is it the receiver's job to give power to the passive speakers?

[SantiagoManager]

With the analog you would have to adjust the sound on your computer AND reciever, where as on the optical, it will give your reciever the sound input and let it control the sound independently.