DP35DPM optical out and pc gaming

[Mars999]

I am thinking about getting a P35 Intel MB, and I see it has an optical output port. I have a Yamaha receiver and would like to send my audio to the amp. So what I want to know is for games, will I get 5.1 or 2.1 or anything for surround sound? What about OpenAL or EAX support?


Thanks

 

[DaveSimmons]

Unless the motherboard advertises that it does Dolby Digital Live encoding, you'll just get 2.0 stereo from most games through the optical.

You'll only get 5.1 from pre-encoded movie soundtracks that the sound chip passes through to the receiver.

Most midrange receivers have a 6-channel analog input, if yours does you could use the analog outs from the motherboard (3 miniplug cables + 3 miniplug-to-stereo adapters = 5.1 analog)