How do I get 5.1 sound from my Maximus VI Impact Mobo?

[Poita]

Forgive me brethren for I have sinned. It has been ten years since my last PC build. I feel like a guy who has come out of prison after a long stretch to find the world outside has changed a lot. 😉

The last time I built a PC I bought a sound card. It had something like three different outputs for sound so I could use a standard Creative/Logitech 5.1 speaker system. One of the reasons I just bought the Maximus VI Impact was that a friend said it had amazing sound. I just assumed that meant I would be able to use 5.1 speakers rather than the 2.1 but when I looked at the audio in/out option there is just a port for a mic jack, then a single 'input' and a single 'output'.
There is a 'SPDIF out' but I don't know what that implies.

So my simple question is. Can I output 5.1 sound from the existing motherboard or do I have to buy a soundcard to do that?

[Chino]

Welcome to the ROG forums, Poita.

Unfortunately, the Maximus VI Impact does not have the necessary connectors for your 5.1 system if it uses 1/4 audio cables.

[kkn]

you need a minijack whit phono plugs on it, and use those to connect to the amplifier ( home cinnema system setup )
http://www.gamezone.no/Media/Cache/Images/4/9/WEB_Image%20Minijack%20-%20Phono%20Adapter%20Overgang%...
and look in the manual on what ports to plug it in.

[Poita]

That mini jack just seems to replicate stereo sound so it would come out of all the speakers in a 5.1 system. The point of having a 5.1 speaker system would be to get the surround sound effect from the game.

I didn't buy a speaker system yet as I don't know what one would be compatible. If it's not possible then I will have to buy a sound card.

[dihartnell]

See the manual - Pages 2-21 to 2-24. Impact supports 8.1 Audio using rear jacks. you also have the option of using optical audio or HDMI as well.

[sectionate]

Poita wrote:
That mini jack just seems to replicate stereo sound so it would come out of all the speakers in a 5.1 system. The point of having a 5.1 speaker system would be to get the surround sound effect from the game.

I didn't buy a speaker system yet as I don't know what one would be compatible. If it's not possible then I will have to buy a sound card.

I'm not sure how many games are actually coded in true 5.1 sound. With the majority of people buying 5.1 (lawlz) headphones and being happy with it maybe the developers dont waste its time. you could just get yourself two good monitor speakers that have great frequency response. that would sound better then any rmaitech speakers you buy

[Poita]

@dirhartnell. I don't know what you mean when you say 'rear jacks'. There is only one jack for output. Then what kind of jack does into that which can read up to 8.1 sound?
Does optical audio mean the SPDF connector slot|

@Sectionate. I don't know what 'monitor seaker' or 'frequency response' or 'rmaitche' means. I just wan't to buy a set of speakers and know what conection to the mobo to use.

[Chino]

As long as your 5.1 system uses 3.5mm minijacks, you can plug your system into the Maximus VI Impact. If it uses the 1/4 inch ones, then you'd need a converter like the one kkn linked.

[LukeeVassallo]

Or can use 5.1/7.1 audio form your graphic card via Hdmi if you are going into a receiver.

[Poita]

I thought a 3.5 jack only transmitted stereo sound. How can it mudulate different sounds for the front two speakers and the back two such as in an FPS game you want the sounds behind the character to be on the back speakers and those in front to be on the front and also left right. Can plugging a 3.5 jack into the sound output from the motherboard do that?