Connecting 5.1 speakers to this board and getting 5.1

[DeViLzzz2007]

So far with this motherboard ...

http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=61065&vpn=GA-Z68A-D3H-B3&manufacture=Gigabyte

when hooking up Logitech X-540s to it all I have been able to manage to get is 2.1 sound from the back of the motherboard but this motherboard says it supports 5.1 and 7.1 and so I ask how can you do this ? I need this in newb terms cuz the motherboard book and helpful people in other threads on other sites have tried to help me understand what to do but it is too much


here is how my audio looks right now -

Realtek HD Audio Manager shows that I have

ANALOG

Back Panel

line in (blue) ... nothing connected
mic in (pink) ... nothing connected
? (green) ... have my 5.1s connected to this giving 2.1 audio

Front Panel

headphone (green) ... nothing connected
mic in (pink) ... nothing connected

Digital

nothing connected this way as these speakers I have won't do that (not capable)



People I believe are saying I can make the line in and mic on the back work with the remaining yellow and black cable connectors from my speakers giving me 5.1 sound but I don't understand how. I also do not want it where I can't use the front panel audio connectors for a headset/mic while using the 5.1s so if this can't happen then tell me.

I really wish I never bought this motherboard and know that getting a stand alone sound card would be simpler but since I build my own pcs all the time I would like to figure out how to finally get this all to work.

 

[treefrog07]

Gigabyte explains how on its support website for your board here, see the Audio section.

 

[osirus23]

Hi.

I see your motherboard has a Realtek ALC889 chipset on it. I have the same one and am using 5.1 audio with it.

First you should know that each analog connector on the motherboard can only output 2 channels each, so only connecting one cannot provide the 6 channels needed for 5.1.

What you need to do is make sure you have the latest Realtek HD audio drivers installed. Once Realtek HD audio manager is installed, open it (Control Panel -> Realtek HD Audio Manager) and click the folder icon on the right hand side. Make sure "Disable front panel jack detection" is NOT checked, and that "Enable pop-up dialog" IS checked. Next, open "Device advanced settings" and make sure "Make the rear and front output devices playback two streams simultaneously" IS checked and hit Ok.

Connect the green speaker connector to the green port on the motherboard. You should get a pop-up notifying you of the connection and asking what it is you connected. The default should be "Front Speaker Out" so leave it as is or change it if its different and hit ok.

Next, connect the black speaker connector to the black port on the motherboard. This time make sure it is set to "Rear Speaker Out" in the pop-up and hit Ok.

Next, connect the orange (or yellowish) connector to the same-color port on the motherboard, make sure it is set to "Center/Subwoofer Out" in the pop-up and hit Ok.

Finally, go to Windows sound settings (Control Panel -> Sound -> Playback tab). Highlight the Speakers - Realtek High Definition Audio and hit the "Configure" button. Select "5.1 Surround" as your configuration and hit Next-> Next-> until you can complete the configuration.

You should now have 5.1 output for applications that support it, and your front output jack should still be available as a separate output device.

 

[DeViLzzz2007]

Hi.

I see your motherboard has a Realtek ALC889 chipset on it. I have the same one and am using 5.1 audio with it.

First you should know that each analog connector on the motherboard can only output 2 channels each, so only connecting one cannot provide the 6 channels needed for 5.1.

What you need to do is make sure you have the latest Realtek HD audio drivers installed. Once Realtek HD audio manager is installed, open it (Control Panel -> Realtek HD Audio Manager) and click the folder icon on the right hand side. Make sure "Disable front panel jack detection" is NOT checked, and that "Enable pop-up dialog" IS checked. Next, open "Device advanced settings" and make sure "Make the rear and front output devices playback two streams simultaneously" IS checked and hit Ok.

Connect the green speaker connector to the green port on the motherboard. You should get a pop-up notifying you of the connection and asking what it is you connected. The default should be "Front Speaker Out" so leave it as is or change it if its different and hit ok.

Next, connect the black speaker connector to the black port on the motherboard. This time make sure it is set to "Rear Speaker Out" in the pop-up and hit Ok.

Next, connect the orange (or yellowish) connector to the same-color port on the motherboard, make sure it is set to "Center/Subwoofer Out" in the pop-up and hit Ok.

Finally, go to Windows sound settings (Control Panel -> Sound -> Playback tab). Highlight the Speakers - Realtek High Definition Audio and hit the "Configure" button. Select "5.1 Surround" as your configuration and hit Next-> Next-> until you can complete the configuration.

You should now have 5.1 output for applications that support it, and your front output jack should still be available as a separate output device.

With my motherboard osirus23 I guess I have to enable stuff through my Realtek audio software. In regards to ports on the back I have to change my line in and mic ports to be used with the 5.1 speakers. My motherboard is not set up the same as others so there is no green, black and yellow on the back for audio alone like there is on my son's Gigabyte motherboard. After getting my speakers set up on the back and set through the Realtek software I then now have to use mic and line in on the front.