I have just bought a Logitech Z506 5.1 surround system for my PC. I only have basic 3 ports on the motherboard.
How can I set up surround sound without purchasing sound card.
31 Answer
If you have stereo mini-jacks with green, black & orange surrounds, they will do 5.1 with appropriate cables. Use these ports on the rear of the sub -
… it's as simple as colour-matching.
The Z506 has no other input options, only 6-channel analog; so you can change plug type, RCA to mini-jack etc, but you cannot use USB or S/PDIF directly, you need a 'translator'.
Basically, you need those 3 colours to keep life simplest.
If you don't have those sockets available on your motherboard, you will need a USB break-out box, from as little as $£€5 on eBay etc.
Search "USB 5.1" & avoid the very cheapest which only have 2 socket outputs. They won't do what you expect.
This type -
not this type -
