No digital audio out

[Raduque]

Got an MSI B350M Bazooka and it doesn't have a digital audio out. No TOSLINK or SPDIF. It does however, have an HDMI port.

Can I use that for audio only? I have a Ryzen 1400, which I know doesn't have an IGP, so would the HDMI port even be active with this CPU?

Thanks!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Can I use that for audio only? I have a Ryzen 1400, which I know doesn't have an IGP, so would the HDMI port even be active with this CPU?

No, you need an APU to have output on that HDMI port.

 

[Raduque]

No, you need an APU to have output on that HDMI port.

Thanks VL. What a waste of mobo space. Should've been a TOSLINK and SPDIF there instead, this is a "GAMING" motherboard after all.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Do they make USB DACs with a Toslink? Surely, they must.

 

[Raduque]

Do they make USB DACs with a Toslink? Surely, they must.

Oh, i'm sure they do. Whoever they may be. Didn't want to throw money at a minor problem, though.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I have an old Turtle Beach USB audio stick that has TOSlink and it was only around $20 so you won't need to spend much.

It's an $88 motherboard, so I guess they have to cut corners, though optical for gaming will only give you stereo / 2.0 unless they've licensed real-time encoding from Dolby or DTS.

 

[richaron]

Yeah it shouldn't cost much if you just need optical spdif out with a cheapy like this.

 

[Raduque]

I found an ancient creative labs external soundcard I had, but I need a USB-B cable for it.

I only listen in 2.0 stereo anyway.