Using theatre system

[marinersfan]

Good evening.
On my last pc I used my old Sony DAV DZ260 via optical and some fancy drivers to get proper 5.1 surround in games.
My new PC doesn't have an optical connector. Is there anyway around this?
I was thinking an optical to 3.5mm adaptor, but would that actually work?

Thank you.

 

[marinersfan]

Do you have a graphics card installed with a spare HDMI port? You could use that for sound.
You can get USB to optical converters for between £20-£30.
Otherwise, what outputs do you have on the motherboard and what chipset is it?

I have a GTX 1070 currently, I've tried connecting the kit to the card via hdmi but nothing occurs. It's an Intel Asrock B760 HDV m.2 D4 motherboard.
It's an old bit of kit I know, but my Nan bought me it for one of my birthdays, so given it also works fine I'd like to keep using it.

 

[marinersfan]

Did you select the sound output in Windows to the correct device? Something like Sony (Nvidia HD Audio)?

I've a feeling when I installed the drivers I unticked the sound driver option. I do have a more recent driver to install at some point, so I'll install everything and see how it goes.
Failing that I'll try one of those converters.
Thank you.

 

[marinersfan]

Just installed new drivers with the sound option, no dice. Maybe it won't do it via HDMI. I've only ever used it with an optical cable. Hey ho.

 

[marinersfan]

Would a sound card be overkill?

 

[marinersfan]

I did this once a while back, get a USB Soundblaster card (or internal if you want to open it up, and it's cheaper).

I used this one (but it was a while ago)

Creative Sound Blaster Omni Surround 5.1 USB​

OC don't stock it so you'll have to google it.

Internal one here:

Asus Xonar AE 7.1 PCI-E Gaming Sound Card (90YA00P0-M0UA00)

Order Asus Xonar AE 7.1 PCI-E Gaming Sound Card (90YA00P0-M0UA00) now online and benefit from fast delivery.

www.overclockers.co.uk

That's the one I actually just stumbled upon.

 

[marinersfan]

Local CEX had a Xonus for £12. Didn't have an optical output, damn it

 

[marinersfan]

Got a xonar SE on ebay, all working fine. I'm wondering whether or not you can force proper 5.1 surround like you can with Realtek, I spent ages finding a fancy driver by a bloke called Alan something, worked perfectly on my old pc.
As currently I'm getting the rear channels through the front.