Do I need to plug in the Audio mother board cable if I only use a USB DAC for my audio needs?

[sinty]

Building a new rig due to having nasty electrical noise issues, confirmed my motherboard was the problem but wanted to know if I am required to make sure the audio port on the new mother board is connected. I will only ever be using a USB Dac via USB ports for my audio needs and will likely never use a microphone if that matters. Just wondering if leaving that unplugged would cause more problems, or would reduce any potential electrical noise.

 

[getochkn]

Nope, won't matter, just front audio ports won't work, that's all. You can even disable the onboard sound in the BIOS too.

 

[greens]

A wire isn't going to increase or reduce noise any just sitting there.
There is no need to plug it in at all, just your case's I/O won't function.
That said i don't see any reason not to.
You could test it yourself with no risk.

 

[sinty]

Thanks. Better safe than sorry to ask first