PC to Soundbar

[Trainspotter837]

Hi, I have a DS3h z77 motherboard and I want to connect it to my soundbar but as far as I can see it has no digital/toslink connection. I have it connected using a jack to jack cable just now but really want to use the toslink cables, should I get a external sound card and will there be much difference in quality from the jack connection?
Thanks

 

[ssddx]

is 3.5mm inferior quality to optical?
not necessarily. analog signals are more prone to picking up emi and having other such issues but if you arent getting any of that then i would say its not worth using optical.

but i want optical?
use a usb soundcard with optical output. you can find them for $30 or less.

 

[Trainspotter837]

Yeah I am getting static,

Ok thanks

 

[Trainspotter837]

Oh just noticed you can get .5mm to optical cable, might try that?