[SOLVED] Looking for an HD Audio extension to move front panel audio to the rear of my pc

[MEATHEX]

As my semi-question says looking for an HD Audio extension to move front panel audio to the rear of my pc. There is just too much interference from the graphics card and motherboard running the cable to the front audio header. I have tried to research this type of header but with no luck. This is an example of what I am looking for but this is for USB, not HD Audio.

https://www.amazon.com/Front-Header-Type-C-Female-Extension/dp/B074XQRY1N

If anyone knows of such a thing this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jimmysmitty]

WHy not just disconnect it and use the rear ports? The only purpose of the front audio header is to allow the headphone and mic jack to be closer to the front. They are the same as the rear ports.

 

[MEATHEX]

BC MY

WHy not just disconnect it and use the rear ports? The only purpose of the front audio header is to allow the headphone and mic jack to be closer to the front. They are the same as the rear ports.

Because my motherboard has a built-in DAC that only supports amplified sound through the front panel audio/HD audio header. rear IO and the HD Header are not the same at all There's a distinct audio volume increase and overall better audio other than the static and interference coming from the wire going by my GPU and motherboard. This is why I want to have the audio run to the rear to avoid all the interference.

 

[jimmysmitty]

What motherboard do you have? I have never seen one that gives the front header better audio but I could be wrong.

 

[maxamillionfeettall]

If this , is what you want, I haven't had any luck finding one for sale.

 

[jimmysmitty]

If this , is what you want, I haven't had any luck finding one for sale.

The issue is that is a 12pin. Most audio headers are 10 pin. Thats why I asked what motherboard he has to see what audio DAC its using.

 

[ElectrO_90]

You can always buy another sound card.
I am also a bit confused as to why the front would be louder. It should be exactly the same, my headphones on my machine are the same volume if I use the back or front.

 

[ElectrO_90]

The issue is that is a 12pin. Most audio headers are 10 pin. Thats why I asked what motherboard he has to see what audio DAC its using.

Just because it caters for 12 pins, doesn't mean it won't fit over the 10. All it means is 2 sockets won't be connected. Since Audio is 3 per socket, one won't work.

 

[jimmysmitty]

You can always buy another sound card.
I am also a bit confused as to why the front would be louder. It should be exactly the same, my headphones on my machine are the same volume if I use the back or front.

My thoughts exactly.

Just because it caters for 12 pins, doesn't mean it won't fit over the 10. All it means is 2 sockets won't be connected. Since Audio is 3 per socket, one won't work.

If the pinout is the same. If it isn't it can do anything from not work to cause a short and damage the board. Its best not to take the risk. This would also depend on if his front audio header has a plastic bracket around it or not. Some do, some do not.

 

[MEATHEX]

What motherboard do you have? I have never seen one that gives the front header better audio but I could be wrong.

My motherboard is the Asrock killer z97 https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Fatal1ty Z97 Killer/
Now, nowhere in the specs does it state that the DAC only outputs to the front but after reading forum posts about the board and trying it out for my self. I can deafen myself with my Sennheiser Game Zeros from the front audio jacks, plug them into the rear audio jacks and everything is 100% quieter this is how I know the DAC only outputs to the HD Audio Header.

There is also this forum post right here on Tomshardware where it is explained why the front audio is considerably better from the front while using headphones
https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/front-and-rear-panel-audio-whats-the-difference.2842677/

 

[maxamillionfeettall]

Yeah, the only ones I've seen have been 6 pin or 12 pin. The only other feasible options I can think would be to A: rout an extension cable from the front to back. B: Splice the 6 pin or 12 pin pci extension to a 10 pin header. C: Awkwardly mount or modify the case to mount a front panel to the back, D: whip out the soldering iron and somehow solder the lines to and old sound card jacks.
Or just get a good usb soundcard/dac.

 

[jimmysmitty]

His is a 10pin, per the motherboard he linked.

I would just suggest you get a PCIe soundcard. You don't have to break the bank either. The SoundBlaster Z would do the job at under $100 bucks and it has a discrete headphone jack that can handle 600Ohms:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829102048

I have it and speaker or headphone it sounds vastly better than most onboard audio does.

I don't think there is going to be an easy way to do what you are asking. You could probably modify it but I doubt it would work well and I can't find any pre-made rear panel inserts.

 

[ElectrO_90]

Can you tell your audio software you are connecting headphones to the rear and not speakers?
I understand that there could be an impedence difference, but I thought all this was automated now.

 

[MEATHEX]

Can you tell your audio software you are connecting headphones to the rear and not speakers?
I understand that there could be an impedence difference, but I thought all this was automated now.

I will check I never thought of that thanks for the tip.