I find it helps if you really think about your PC install before doing it. Plan where all the cables are going to go, and then plug them in in the right order, so your monitor cable isn't resting on your mouse cable, for example. Also, if you're in a study, balance all the devices across all your power points, so that you keep an even load in each wall socket, and your power adaptors are within tolerance. It really is something that's worth thinking about properly.
As is the surround thing. I'm going to install some ducting in our living room one of these days!