Does motherboard support 5.1 surround sound? Soundcard needed?

thtran6 · Oct 2, 2018

Hello guys I'm very new to computer building so please pardon me if I sound clueless.

So basically I just bought the Razer Leviathan speaker system 5.1 surround sound.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/razer-leviathan-5-1-channel-soundbar-system-with-subwoofer-black/1057028.p?skuId=1057028

I wonder if my motherboard would already have everything it needs to play the 5.1 sound from the Leviathan, or if I need to purchase a separate sounds card.

My motherboard is a Z370-A PRO (MS-7B48).
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z370-A-PRO/Specification

I looked it up and in the msi website it shows that this mobo has audio port Realtek® ALC892 Codec.
That's pretty much all the information that I think is related.
Please help me out as I really don't want to purchase this speaker and end up hearing just regular sound.
Thank you very much in advance all of you guys.

Corwin65 · Oct 2, 2018

While your motherboard supports multiple outputs, your leviathan only has one input.

carltonje · Oct 2, 2018

mb supports 7.1 so yes it does and will work with leviathan just fine

Corwin65 · Oct 2, 2018

carltonje :

It will play, but it will be getting a stereo signal that will then simulate 5.1

It's not an issue with the motherboard but the leviathan.

jeremyj_83 · Oct 2, 2018

Your motherboard does 7.1 but since you do not have an optical cable on your motherboard you will only be able to hook up with stereo to that system. To be able to do actual 5.1 you will need a separate sound card with an optical output.

Calvin7 · Oct 2, 2018

Razer Leviathan offers 3.5mm audio jack or optical connection.

MSI motherboards are one brand of motherboards where the 5.1 digital optical connection is noticeably absent.

I don't see how you will get 5.1 sound out of the single green analog port but you will get sound. PC's with Windows often don't output anything better than stereo unless the source is 5.1 such as a Blu-ray movie.

Connecting via the analog cable:

From motherboard back panel green analog port with 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, connect via Razer Leviathan's auxiliary port and press the -> button until the AUX LED indicator lights up. 11

thtran6 · Oct 2, 2018

Calvin7 :

Thank you so much for your detailed instruction.
So if I use 3.5mm cable to connect the green analog port from the mobo to the Leviathan's auxiliary port, I will get ONLY stereo sound right?
And in order to get 5.1 sound, I will need to purchase an optical cable? Could you please link me to the cable I'm a bit lost.
And with the optical cable must come the sound card right, or do I only need the optical cable?

carltonje · Oct 2, 2018

you don't have optical output on your mb would need a sound card with optical output to use optical

thtran6 · Oct 2, 2018

carltonje :

Thank you for your input. I'm kinda slowly getting it now.
So optical connection is something that can only be achieved by having a sound card right? (for this particular mobo).
I imagine other mobo would have optical port and all you have to buy is the optical cable, as opposed to my case wherein I have to buy both the cable and the sound card. Is this thinking correct?

Corwin65 · Oct 2, 2018

Yes, you are on point.

thtran6 · Oct 2, 2018

If it must come down to buying both a sound card AND an optical cable for connection, then would you guys please provide some direction/advice on what kind of sound card & optical cable I need to buy? Links if possible please.
I'm looking at under $30.

Thank you so much guys! I really appreciate it.

jeremyj_83 · Oct 2, 2018

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132052 - Sound card
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=1419 - optical audio cable
For the cable you need to be sure to have your distance measured as you don't want to get too short of a cable.

thtran6 · Oct 2, 2018

jeremyj_83 :

Would there be any type of usb or external sound card that doesn't cause the need to open up the case and the motherboard? I'm just wondering.

carltonje · Oct 2, 2018

not for 30 really other than this one and i dont know anything about it
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Adapter-External-Sound-Digital/dp/B002LM0U2S

the optical cable should be with the leviathan as well as 3.mm cable. In all honesty with a soundbar the 5.1 is not that great and you will not lose that much just using the 3.5mm cable. you will get 2.1 with sub the soundbar tries to throw the surround out the side and bounce it off the walls to simulate the 5.1 I would try it and see how it sounds before spending money on a sound card.

jeremyj_83 · Oct 2, 2018

There aren't that many USB sound cards in general. Typically those aren't going to be as good as the internal ones either.

carltonje · Oct 2, 2018

acutally with the new usb speeds its not any kind of issue and it lossless as well. I use an external on my laptop it runs really runs well. I use it with my dj setup does the job and then some.

thtran6 · Oct 2, 2018

I have heard that an HDMI cable can support 5.1 surround sound and it doesn't bring along the trouble of buying a sound card.
Is this true? If it is what specific kind of HDMI cable am I looking at or can it just be a general one?

carltonje · Oct 2, 2018

you would have to have something for the hdmi to pull sound off of and you have no input you could use on the sound bar. hdmi does do surround but through a amp/receiver or something the hdmi connects to prior to video output. Just see how the sound is then if you want more then try a sound card otherwise you will need a whole new computer system or a different speaker system. the simulated 5.1 is about as good as you will get on the sound bar based on human hearing.

thtran6 · Oct 3, 2018

Thank you so much for all of your assistance guys. It really helps clear things up.
For a cheap alternative, would an ANALOG-to-DIGITAL converter (reverse of a DAC) work in my case?
By that I mean would it be able to provide the virtual 5.1 surround sound effect?

P/S: I'm looking at this alternative because the Leviathan already comes with an optical jack and an optical cable, and since my mobo does not have an optical jack, I figure an analog-to-digital adapter would do the job as far as connection goes. Quality wise, I'm not sure if it can still retain the 5.1 surround sound though.

Corwin65 · Oct 3, 2018

If you've already bought the speakers and have the PC just give it a shot with what you already have. You might be happy enough with it.

The analog to digital would still only give you stereo (2.1) because all you are doing is converting the analog stereo signal to a digital stereo signal. Your Soundbar is where the simulated 5.1 will be done so it will give you the best estimated 5.1 signal from the PC.

True 5.1 requires 2 speakers on the side, a center, a left, a right and the sub.

Does motherboard support 5.1 surround sound? Soundcard needed?

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