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Thread: Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

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    Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

    I've been looking at upgrading to a Haswell system. Quite straightforward I thought but I've been really surprised at the number of motherboards with no SPDIF outputs. What I currently do is use an SPDIF connection that goes straight into the equivalent socket on my hifi, something I'd like to continue doing. Why are so many modern mobos missing an SPDIF? Have these connections been replaced by another optical compatible output?

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    Re: Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

    Cost cutting I would imagine.

    Asus Maximus 6 Hero has SPDIF out, if its a mobo you are considering.

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    Re: Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

    A lot of boards offer it as a header rather than on the backplane, which makes a lot of sense since 99% of people prefer usb ports. A pci bracket to expose it shouldn't be too expensive

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    Re: Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

    The headers seem to be for connecting to graphic cards for output via HDMI. PCI brackets are as rare as hens' teeth so it seems...
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    Re: Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

    Nowadays you're probably better off getting a low end sound card than paying the premium for an onboard SPDIF. Even the £20 xonar's come with one.

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    Re: Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

    These have optical s/pdif out on the back panel, and an s/pdif header on the mobo itself for a separate module.

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...hdmi-micro-atx

    https://www.servercase.co.uk/shop/co...i-f2a85-m-pro/

    As you have discovered, getting the modules in the UK (if you don't want optical out) is hard, you might be able to get it via via Amazon America.

    http://www.amazon.com/SPDIF-Optical-.../dp/B003AV944Y



    The above mobos are AMD

    This one

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...atx-plusfree-d

    is Haswell and has optical out on the back panel - not cheap though!

    This one is a little less expensive

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/asus-...dvi-d-hdmi-atx
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    Re: Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

    Thanks all. I'd no idea that USB sound output was so mainstream which helps explain the lack of spdif outputs. I upgrading my Hackintosh so I'm limited to Gigabyte mobos for maximum compatibility. It seems that the way ahead is to output the sound via a USB/ Spdif convertor. Thanks again for pointing me the right way.
    An Atlantean Triumvirate, Ghosts of the Past, The Centre Cannot Hold
    The Pillars of Britain, Foundations of the Reich, Cracks in the Pillars.

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    Re: Motherboards without SPDIF - how to get sound out

    This Gigabyte mobo has back panel s/pdif

    http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigab...8vga%29-dvi-d-
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