Motherboard help with headset

ozzyfan

Reputable
Jan 13, 2015
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I have a pair of astro a40's with the mixamp and I want to use them on my computer but I don't have an optical port on the motherboard to use it. I don't know if there is an adapter or other cable I could possibly use to get them to work or buy a new motherboard.

Thank you

My current build:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qjhL3C
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qjhL3C/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($188.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($18.89 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($84.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $746.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-21 14:12 EST-0500
 
Solution
If you're going to the the astro a40's with your computer, it looks as though the mixamp probably won't connect to a sound card without a cable. I'm not certain if the cable connection on the Xbox controllers is compatible with a standard 3 pin audio connection, but just about every soundcard out there is 3 pin, not 4 (I'm assuming the Astro A40's are a 4 pin due to having a microphone- if it splits to a dual plug connection it's fine to use with a PC soundcard without an adapter).

Also, being that nearly all headsets only have one speaker per side, the difference between 5.1 and 7.1 is completely irrelevant. At best, the 5.1/7.1 is emulated. This means that you don't have to match it up with a 5.1 or 7.1 sound card. In all honesty, a...
My suggestion would be to buy a soundcard with Optical output. It's usually cheaper than purchasing a new motherboard, and a lot less hassle to install. It may also improve your sound quality a little.

Asus Xonar cards seem to be a top choice for most computer audio enthusiasts. They go for around $50-100 USD.
 


The only thing I don't know is if the sound card will fit because I only have 1 PCI express slot
 


From a quick google search of your motherboard (see a pic here), you have the choice of either PCI or PCIe sound card. I'd recommend sticking with a PCIe as it's more futureproof in the event you upgrade your PC at all.
As for fitting the slots, there's room on either side of your graphics card (one slot above, 2 slots below- at least one of the slots under the graphics card will be blocked), so you should be OK.
 


The headset can do 7.1 surround sound all I have been seeing is 5.1 and when I find one that seems to be right its PCI and it won't work for me. I have been using the razer kraken pro headset for a few months but its not as easy on the ears as my astros.
 
If you're going to the the astro a40's with your computer, it looks as though the mixamp probably won't connect to a sound card without a cable. I'm not certain if the cable connection on the Xbox controllers is compatible with a standard 3 pin audio connection, but just about every soundcard out there is 3 pin, not 4 (I'm assuming the Astro A40's are a 4 pin due to having a microphone- if it splits to a dual plug connection it's fine to use with a PC soundcard without an adapter).

Also, being that nearly all headsets only have one speaker per side, the difference between 5.1 and 7.1 is completely irrelevant. At best, the 5.1/7.1 is emulated. This means that you don't have to match it up with a 5.1 or 7.1 sound card. In all honesty, a Asus Xonar will probably sound better than running the audio through the supplied A40's mixamp.
 
Solution