Motherboard HDMI as Main Display, GPU HDMI for Sound

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

Exactly that. My motherboard, a Gigabyte Z170 X Gaming 7, has an HDMI slot on it. I currently run my video to my TV through my GPU, a NVIDIA GTX 960. I'd like to have the HDMI port from the motherboard run my video so I can use the one on my graphics card to get proper surround sound on my sound system.

However, when I set it to IGFX in the Bios, it seemed to default to the internal graphics card (which sucks) and I didn't have the option for HDMI sound in my Playback Devices.

EDIT: Apparently, I need 3 RCA audio cables. Problem is, my sound system only has 2 sockets, one red, one white.

 

[Dunlop0078]

If you want to use your gpu you must plug your display cable into the GPU. If you plug it into the mobo it will only use the CPU's integrated graphics. You can likely use a display port to hdmi adapter for your tv if you want, that will free up the HDMI port for your sound system.

 

[Shektron]

I'm not sure if I'm interpreting your question correctly, but are you saying you want to use the GPU for the display, but use a motherboard port as a connector? If that's what you mean, it can't be done - the motherboard video ports are for running the integrated graphics in your system - they won't display what the GPU is outputting as a display.

 

[Achint2000]

Why do you need HDMI for sound input? Get one of those converter cables that separate sound and video, plug it into the TV and use the desktop's normal audio jack (3.5mm) with an audio cable instead!

 

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

I have 2 HDMI cords. I have one running from my GPU to my TV, that handles video. I have an RCA jack running from my PC to my sound system, that handles the sound. Problem is, I have 5 speakers, and the sound only comes out through two of them. All the guides I see mention having to use your GPU's HDMI port if you want 5.1 sound. Problem is, I can't. My GPU only has one port, and that goes to my TV. My sound system has a red and white socket, and an HDMI port.

 

[Dunlop0078]

Why do you need HDMI for sound input? Get one of those converter cables that separate sound and video, plug it into the TV and use the desktop's normal audio jack (3.5mm) with an audio cable instead!

Many surround sound systems nowadays use HDMI. Surround would not work though a single 3.5 mm jack on the computer, that only supports dual channel stereo as far as I know.

 

[Dunlop0078]

I have 2 HDMI cords. I have one running from my GPU to my TV, that handles video. I have an RCA jack running from my PC to my sound system, that handles the sound. Problem is, I have 5 speakers, and the sound only comes out through two of them. All the guides I see mention having to use your GPU's HDMI port if you want 5.1 sound. Problem is, I can't. My GPU only has one port, and that goes to my TV. My sound system has a red and white socket, and an HDMI port.

Did you read my post? You will need a display port to hdmi adapter for the tv, this will then free up the hdmi port on the gpu for your audio system.

 

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

@Achint2000 Which would you recommend?

 

[ZombiePotatoSalad]

I did not see your post until after I had posted mine.

 

[Dunlop0078]

What Achint2000 suggested is not going to work for surround sound.

 

[Achint2000]

@Dunlop, DP to HDMI would be a good solution, @OP, make sure you buy an adapter which has audio output as well.

On the other hand, I never tried using that config with any of my GPUs.

I'm not sure if the displayport and the HDMI port will both give audio output, with the HDMI port being without a display connected to it.

 

[Shektron]

I have 2 HDMI cords. I have one running from my GPU to my TV, that handles video. I have an RCA jack running from my PC to my sound system, that handles the sound. Problem is, I have 5 speakers, and the sound only comes out through two of them. All the guides I see mention having to use your GPU's HDMI port if you want 5.1 sound. Problem is, I can't. My GPU only has one port, and that goes to my TV. My sound system has a red and white socket, and an HDMI port.

Then just use a displayport to HDMI converter and you can plug the HDMI cable from the sound system to the adapter:

http://a.co/i97GUza

 

[Achint2000]

Also, taking a note here, you don't need audio on TV right? You can use a DVI-HDMI adapter which is for display only and the HDMI for sound!