A MB supporting 5.1 surround.

[Artista]

I am looking at a "get-me-by" MB until BZ comes out later this year. I have a logitech 5.1 sound system and noted the analog sound connecters on this board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157204

I have three connectors, green, yellow, black, that connect my sound system to the computer. I looked on wikipedia and found the black to be the "rear output" for the surround sound.

I noted that almost without exception all the inexpensive AM3 MB (typically microATX) only had three connecters but no black.

Does above motherboard support 5.1? (I assume not.)

I assume I have to find a MB that has the six analog sound ports which includes the black connecter? (If I want 5.1 sound.)

Thank you in advance.

 

[Diogenes2]

Yes you will need the six ports..

Here is a search of AM3 Micro boards with 5.1 sound..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625+600007943+600008815+600009017&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=22&description=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=

 

[Artista]

Yes you will need the six ports..

Here is a search of AM3 Micro boards with 5.1 sound..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20

Thank you. I did a "power search" and a guided search at newegg but didnt see the option for a sound version search. Now I see that a "advance" seach shoould have been used.

 

[Diogenes2]

Seems my link got fubar'ed

Just search on AMD motherboards,

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...D-Motherboards

Then use the options on the left side of the page to choose:
Socket = AM3

Audio Channels = 6

Form factor = Micro ATX

And hit Search -
Should bring up a good list

 

[Dice144]

Just a side note but I would recommend not getting anything VIA for sound. From my many builds for myself and others Realtech has been better every time. Both in drivers and sound quality.

 

[Iron Woode]

I am looking at a "get-me-by" MB until BZ comes out later this year. I have a logitech 5.1 sound system and noted the analog sound connecters on this board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157204

I have three connectors, green, yellow, black, that connect my sound system to the computer. I looked on wikipedia and found the black to be the "rear output" for the surround sound.

I noted that almost without exception all the inexpensive AM3 MB (typically microATX) only had three connecters but no black.

Does above motherboard support 5.1? (I assume not.)

I assume I have to find a MB that has the six analog sound ports which includes the black connecter? (If I want 5.1 sound.)

Thank you in advance.

That board supports 5.1 surround.

the minimum number of ports needed are 3.

your analog 5.1 set up will work fine. All you need to know is which connector does the rear speakers, front speakers and the center/sub woofer speakers. The drivers will then sense which jack is being used. A little trial and error should get you set up fairly quick.

your colors should be: green - front, black - rear and yellow center/sub woofer.

 

[Artista]

That board supports 5.1 surround.

the minimum number of ports needed are 3.

your analog 5.1 set up will work fine. All you need to know is which connector does the rear speakers, front speakers and the center/sub woofer speakers. The drivers will then sense which jack is being used. A little trial and error should get you set up fairly quick.

your colors should be: green - front, black - rear and yellow center/sub woofer.

Yes those are my colors but on the referenced motherboard I believe from what I read that it does not support 5.1 with the analog connectors. Because there is no rear speaker output only, front speaker, mic, and input ports. I read the manual which is here:
ftp://174.142.97.10/manual/N68C-S%20UCC.pdf

It doesnt make it clear. I looked on the ASROCK website and it says under specs page that it supports HD 5.1 audio, which if I am correct is using the HD audio header on the MB to the case but the case must support HD audio. I have analog connecters which input into my logitech system, so not sure how I can work around that.

It didnt specify in the manual that the analog inputs could be swapped around in the bios.

So unless I can come up with a solution I will look around some more for another board.

The only other issue with the board is it supports only 95w CPU but I can live with that by using a athlon II x3 or x4 until bulldozer comes.

Then this board and cpu will become a HTPC or a spare PC or sold.

I love getting great stuff for hardly nothing and the first board I dropped a link to fits that category.

 

[Iron Woode]

most cheap AM2+ boards only support 95w cpus.

I use the Logitech Z640 speakers. The 3 ports should work as follows: green = front speaker, blue = rear speakers and pink = center/sub woofer. This is done using the audio set-up icon in the task bar.

If the 95w bothers you, I would recommend the GA-M68M-S2P: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128424. It supports the 125w cpus and has more detailed instructions on hooking up the 5.1 surround.

 

[Artista]

most cheap AM2+ boards only support 95w cpus.

I use the Logitech Z640 speakers. The 3 ports should work as follows: green = front speaker, blue = rear speakers and pink = center/sub woofer. This is done using the audio set-up icon in the task bar.

If the 95w bothers you, I would recommend the GA-M68M-S2P: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128424. It supports the 125w cpus and has more detailed instructions on hooking up the 5.1 surround.

Thank you for the know how regarding the ports.

(Computer hardware like with a car stuff...sometimes the do it yourself books/manuals just dont have all the tips/tricks.)

I am going to use the DDR3 slots on the listed board as it supports DDR3 and DDR2/2+.

The phenom II x2 555BE is rated at 80w. I wonder if it unlocks to 3 or 4 cores what the watt rating would be?

 

[Iron Woode]

Thank you for the know how regarding the ports.

(Computer hardware like with a car stuff...sometimes the do it yourself books/manuals just dont have all the tips/tricks.)

I am going to use the DDR3 slots on the listed board as it supports DDR3 and DDR2/2+.

The phenom II x2 555BE is rated at 80w. I wonder if it unlocks to 3 or 4 cores what the watt rating would be?

Its has UCC to unlock the other cores.

It has a PCIe 16x 1.0 slot.

I found a review on the board: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/ASRock-N68C-S-UCC-Motherboard-Review/1048/1

I hope everything turns out good for your this build.

 

[Ross Ridge]

It doesnt make it clear. I looked on the ASROCK website and it says under specs page that it supports HD 5.1 audio, which if I am correct is using the HD audio header on the MB to the case but the case must support HD audio.

The HD audio header is just for connecting front panel case audio connectors, which are a plain stereo headphone and microphone jack.

Any modern audio codec chip allows any analogue connector to be used as either an input or an output. While a three plug setup on the I/O panel is normally ment to be used as one output (line out), and two inputs (line in, microphone), the drivers should let you reconfigure the two input jacks as the other two outputs you need for 5.1 surround.

If you do this, you'll lose the ability to hook up a microphone or other input at the back, but you'll still be able to connect a microphone to the front of the case. That is, assuming your case has front audio jacks, and you've connected the cable in the case to the HD audio header on the motherboard.

 

[Artista]

Its has UCC to unlock the other cores.

It has a PCIe 16x 1.0 slot.

I found a review on the board: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/ASRock-N68C-S-UCC-Motherboard-Review/1048/1

I hope everything turns out good for your this build.

Thank you. I read that article and now I am scratching my head because of the level of tech info in it. (The article within that article.) I read the other tech article that was on the power supply, and how the AM3 has another power circuit that goes to the CPU memory controller, which the AM2/AM2+ lacks.

I am therefore unsure how that effects a AM3 CPU that can run on a AM2/AM2+ MB. Since it wasnt spelled out in the articles I can guess that perhaps the memory controller on the board works instead? Which perhaps slows the CPU down, memory access wise?

I am technical as the next tech dude but I got lost in that article as to what are the real world implications of slapping a AM3 CPU on the original linked AM2+ MB referenced above???

AM3 memory can still be used so thats good otherwise I am not sure.

 

[Iron Woode]

Thank you. I read that article and now I am scratching my head because of the level of tech info in it. (The article within that article.) I read the other tech article that was on the power supply, and how the AM3 has another power circuit that goes to the CPU memory controller, which the AM2/AM2+ lacks.

I am therefore unsure how that effects a AM3 CPU that can run on a AM2/AM2+ MB. Since it wasnt spelled out in the articles I can guess that perhaps the memory controller on the board works instead? Which perhaps slows the CPU down, memory access wise?

I am technical as the next tech dude but I got lost in that article as to what are the real world implications of slapping a AM3 CPU on the original linked AM2+ MB referenced above???

AM3 memory can still be used so thats good otherwise I am not sure.

AMD has the memory controller on the cpu.

an AM3 cpu will work whether you use DDR2 or DDR3.

Get a good power supply like a corsair in the 600 watt range. This will make a system far more stable than some no name 400 watt unit that comes with most cases.

 

[Artista]

AMD has the memory controller on the cpu.

an AM3 cpu will work whether you use DDR2 or DDR3.

Get a good power supply like a corsair in the 600 watt range. This will make a system far more stable than some no name 400 watt unit that comes with most cases.

My apologies, I wasnt clear.

The article within that review talk's about the MB component level circuitry, different types of components (Japanese components vs others), iron vs ferrite, etc, the power circuit for the AM3 circuit, etc.

Great article but what I failed to gleem is what is the take away from that article in regards to any performance loss (if any) or other negative outcomes where AM3 CPU on a AM3 socket vs of a AM3 CPU slapped onto a AM2+ MB? lol

I will again read both articles. (Feel like I am back in CCNA classes.) Plus google the subject.

Thank you for your assistance.

 

[Iron Woode]

My apologies, I wasnt clear.

The article within that review talk's about the MB component level circuitry, different types of components (Japanese components vs others), iron vs ferrite, etc, the power circuit for the AM3 circuit, etc.

Great article but what I failed to gleem is what is the take away from that article in regards to any performance loss (if any) or other negative outcomes where AM3 CPU on a AM3 socket vs of a AM3 CPU slapped onto a AM2+ MB? lol

I will reread both articles. (Feel like I am back in CCNA classes.) Plus google the subject.

the article is saying that Asrock is using a combination of components to save money. That keeps the price down.

The chipset is old and because of limitations an AM3 cpu will not perform as well as it could if it was in an AM3 only board.

The real take away is this: unless this is a mission critical setup or a gaming machine, it will make a fine everyday PC. It will even make a fine HTPC when properly equipped.