Audio on NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI Motherboard

I'm building a new computer using a EVGA 122-CK-NF68-AR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard. This may sound wierd but I can't figure out where to plug in the sound cables from my DVD drives and hard drive.

I've read the user's manual and the only thing it says about audio is associated with a 10 pin (one is blank) connector and all the DVD connectors are 4 hole connectors.

I've looked and googled and all that stuff and now having to ask directions.

Anyone?

 

Hi Jim,
I certainly don't know of any sound/audio connections to a HDD. You had better check what you are looking at there.

A sound cable from CD/DVD drives to the Audio controller was only required Win 98 and earlier (not sure about Win ME). Win 2000 plus do not require the cable, the audio from the optical drive is run through the data cable system.

The latest motherboards (mainly nVidia chipset types) no longer support Win 98, etc. That's why you won't find a connector for that audio/sound cable.

You won't need it.

Matt
PS The 10 pin connector will be for additional connection from the "front panel" of the case (so you could plug in speakers, headphones and microphones at the front of the case as well as the back).

 

Thanks mattman. You know sometimes my ignorance even amazes me.

I subscribe to a couple of computer magazines that I read (I thought) diligently and never knew the cables were not required anymore. I guess the world is just passing this 'ol phart by while I sit around and ponder sound cables.

So when I get my sound card I suppose the card picks up the audio via the PCI connection and then outputs to the speakers.

I appreciate you taking the time to answer what must appear to many as a dumb question.

Humbly yours,

 

Jim, I seen that question asked every so often, it is quite valid. You will probably see it asked a lot more now that the connector has disappeared. Drives come with that cable, so everybody just usually connects it, but I have picked from motherboard and drive manuals that it is not required for those OSes.

The specs I see here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813188009#spec
include 8 channel audio

which are the 6 coloured connectors next to the USB ports. You are going to use a PCI card instead? Yes, the audio would come through the PCI connector.
There may not be any detailed instructions in the manual about the onboard audio, you will find detailed instructions, like how to set up the channels/speakers after you install the audio software/drivers in Windows (Control Panel -> Sound and Audio Devices or in the Azalia software).

Haven't you been around here long enough to see people say "there are no dumb questions ". None of us were born knowing how to run or set up a computer. If it not possible to easily find an answer using "searches ", of course, post and ask. Somebody else will probably be wanting to know the same thing.

Cheers
Matt