Integrated 6-Channel Audio Question

May 31, 2003
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I'm planning on buying a Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000 Pro motherboard soon. According to the specs, it includes integrated 6-channel audio. My question is, where do I plug in my audio cables? I assumed the mobo would include some sort of rear access to the audio inputs. Something that would fill up one of the PCI bays at the back of the case. But when I looked at a picture from NewEgg that showed the things that come with the mobo, I didn't see anything that looked like this. What gives???
 

Dowfen

Senior member
Jul 16, 2002
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I think most of the 6 channel audio solutions allow you to configure the ports (aren't there usually 3) to what channel they are running. I've only worked with one 6-channel audio solution (on the P4B533-E) so it could definately be different.
 

capricorn

Senior member
May 8, 2003
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They are the three mini jacks (blue, green, and pink) shown in about the middle of this picture at newegg. They generally can be reconfigured (line in versus rear out, etc). I also just noticed that there is a separate pigtail with and SPDIF connector on it. That would take up a slot on the back like you expected.

-cap
 
May 31, 2003
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You'll have to excuse me. I'm very noobish. I'll going to be building my very first PC in a few weeks. I've never had a 6-channel audio system before. In fact, I've never had anything more than the 2.1 setup that I currently have.

I was under the impression that a 6-channel audio setup would require 6 different ports and that each port would have a different speaker wire plugged into it or something. I saw an Audigy card that appeared to have 5 ports on the back of it and I just sort of assumed that each port was for a different channel.

So basically, I'm just wondering what exactly plugs into what? With my current 2.1 setup, I have a wire running from the green port on the back of my tower to the subwoofer. Both of the satellite speakers are plugged into the subwoofer. Now, if I were to get a 6.1 setup, would it just be the same sort of thing, but with 6 satellite speakers plugged into a subwoofer? So even though I have 6 channels of audio, I only have one wire coming out of my computer? 6 channels of audio all come down the same wire? Again, I have very little experience with PC audio, so you'll have to forgive me here.
 

yabanci

Member
Jun 24, 2003
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assuming the intel based mobos are the same as the amd based mobos:

For 2 channel or 2.1 analog sound systems
Plug your audio connector into the green jack in the image above. The blue jack will serve as a line out and the pink as a mic in.

For 4 channel or 4.1 analog sound systems
Plug the two connectors into their appropriate jacks. Front goes in the green jack, rear goes in the blue. The pink will serve as a mic in.

For 6 channel or 6.1 analog sound systems
Plug the front speakers into the green jack, rear into the blue, and center/sub into the pink.
 

capricorn

Senior member
May 8, 2003
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Originally posted by: BlameTheBigBang
I was under the impression that a 6-channel audio setup would require 6 different ports and that each port would have a different speaker wire plugged into it or something. I saw an Audigy card that appeared to have 5 ports on the back of it and I just sort of assumed that each port was for a different channel.

I should have been clearer. Each mini-jack is a stereo jack capabable of handling a pair of speakers. If this is like most m/b's with onboard sound, the green jack is always front speaker out (or the only speakers out in the case of a pair of speakers like you have now). If the blue jack is handling a pair of speakers, it can't be doing line in at the same time. And so forth. Yabanci answer is on the right track. You might want to go to the motherboard manufacturer's web site and download the PDF version of the manual for the motherboard you are thinking about. It should explain how the onboard 6-channel works.

-cap
 

yabanci

Member
Jun 24, 2003
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yeah, my info is based specifically on how you do it with the nforce2 motherboards - you should check the manufacturer's website for your particular motherboard. In any event, hooking up 5.1 on a computer system is different than hooking up 5.1 on a stereo system (where you do have six connectors), so i can see the confusion. good luck.