Connecting 5.1 surround sound system to my computer

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RealityClash

192 posts

Master Geek

# 77949 24-Feb-2011 21:36

Hey all,

Yesterday I bought a Logitech 5.1 X-540 speaker set for a measly $48 on sale and Im wanting to hook them up to my pc for proper surround sound. I currently only have the green 2-channel 3.5mm plug connected as my pc doesnt have the black (rear) and orange (center/sub) 3.5mm outputs that the speaker set also has as I am only using my onboard soundcard. But I did find a connector that im guessing connects to the motherboard to give me the extra surround outputs. So my question is, would I be able to plug this connector to my motherboard and then connect all three 3.5mm jacks on my speakers to my sound outputs on my pc so I am able to make full use of all my speakers?

Heres a photo of the surround sound connector I found lying around:
https://c5fvfw.bay.livefilestore.co [...] jpg?psid=1

Heres my motherboard:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/p [...] id=3323#ov

And the speakers:
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/439/234?WT.z_sp=Image

Thanks

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

# 443206 24-Feb-2011 22:23

Lately motherboards will configure sockets depending on what you plug into them, they auto detect the load. E.g. if you have front panel and rear panel sockets try plugging a speaker into it and see if the auto detect software asks you what your speaker configuration is. Also try the pink socket which is normally for a microphone.

That plug may work, or it may not work. Each manufacturer uses his own pinout of the ribbon connector. At work we've blown 2x USB sticks because the wrong cable was used for a front USB socket. Also seen a USB cable plugged into a firewire header.

You can never have enough Volvos!

b0untypure1

1415 posts

Uber Geek

# 443302 25-Feb-2011 09:33

this is from the link you sent me about the motherboard

"(Note 3) To configure 7.1-channel audio, you need connect with the port of HD Audio standard via front panel and enable the multi-channel audio feature through the audio driver."

RealityClash

192 posts

Master Geek

# 443552 26-Feb-2011 00:16

Niel: Lately motherboards will configure sockets depending on what you plug into them, they auto detect the load. E.g. if you have front panel and rear panel sockets try plugging a speaker into it and see if the auto detect software asks you what your speaker configuration is. Also try the pink socket which is normally for a microphone.

That plug may work, or it may not work. Each manufacturer uses his own pinout of the ribbon connector. At work we've blown 2x USB sticks because the wrong cable was used for a front USB socket. Also seen a USB cable plugged into a firewire header.

Thanks I tried plugging all three 3.5mm plugs from the speakers into the 3 sockets in the back of my pc (green, pink and blue) and even though the pink was marked as a mic input and the blue some other type of sound input/output, after fiddling round with the Realtek HD Audio Manager settings, I managed to get everything working :)

Mprezd

107 posts

Master Geek

# 443560 26-Feb-2011 08:00

I think the most important this is - where did you get x540's for $48????

b0untypure1

1415 posts

Uber Geek

# 443594 26-Feb-2011 10:10

Mprezd: I think the most important this is - where did you get x540's for $48????

well most shops arent getting them in anymore so it must have been a good sale to get rid of stock, dick smith had them a while ago for $69

http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=111474

RealityClash

192 posts

Master Geek

# 443625 26-Feb-2011 12:21

Mprezd: I think the most important this is - where did you get x540's for $48????

I bought them from EB Games Whangarei, they were just sitting in the corner of the shop as though noone even knew the box was there, apparently it was one of the last ones and they were just trying to get rid of it.