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How to know for sure if my PC has 7.1 sounds

JJS091

Estimable
Dec 2, 2015
1
0
4,510
So I bought a MSI Nightblade B85C-205EU PC a few days ago. They said on the website that this PC should have 7.1 surround sounds. However, it seems to only have 3 audio output slots on the back and 2 on the front. Doesn't that mean it has only 2.0? Is it possible to have 7.1 sounds some other way? It does have a S/PDIF slot on the back too so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it. But yeah, is it possible to have 7.1 sounds with just 3 audio jack slots on the back or have they screwed me over?
 
Solution
The S/PDIF can carry compressed 7.1 audio, HDMI can also have 7.1 audio. Looks like the regular 3.5mm audio jacks in the back are just stereo.
The S/PDIF can carry compressed 7.1 audio, HDMI can also have 7.1 audio. Looks like the regular 3.5mm audio jacks in the back are just stereo.
 
Solution