Can a HTPC be used as a surround sound system?

[SHOOK_Linus]

I am wondering if this HTPC: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/greendroid10/saved/WFyccf can be used as a surround sound sound system (5.1)

By this I mean, can it have 2 rear wings, 2 front wings, a center, and a Sub? if this can't what would I need to make it happen (If possible at all)

[79wjd]

Yes, just connect an optical cable from the motherboard output into the pre-amp. 

 

I would get a G4560 rather than an i3 though. 

[BlueChinchillaEatingDorito]

If you mean have the PC replace your receiver, not quite then. I can't think of a sound card that will accept banana plugs or speaker wires as output. 

[Zyndo]

8 minutes ago, SHOOK_Linus said:

Snip

Your motherboard has 7.1 audio connections on the back plus an optical out. You should be covered. You won't be able to use this PC as a middle-man between your media device and your speakers.... but if you intend on using this AS your media device (seems likely considering the build) then it should be able to fuel your sound system just fine.

[3rrant]

5 minutes ago, djdwosk97 said:

Yes, just connect an optical cable from the motherboard output into the pre-amp. 

 

I would get a G4560 rather than an i3 though. 

Can you run UHD Netflix on the G4560? I know that it requires Kaby Lake, but I wonder if they count that cpu too

[manikyath]

it has 5.1 analog audio output, but it wont have the output power to hook it straight into speakers, you'll still need an amplifier either way.

[Zyndo]

4 minutes ago, manikyath said:

it has 5.1 analog audio output, but it wont have the output power to hook it straight into speakers, you'll still need an amplifier either way.

What do you mean by this...? I have a 5.1 surround on a PC at home with a old first generation Core series motherboard (no idea the exact board, but it was bought from best buy in a pre-built nearly a decade ago so it can't be all that good lol) hooked up to ONLY the motherboard on the back and then power into the wall... it works fine? or is this some audiophile "take your speakers to the next level or don't bother at all" milarchy?

[79wjd]

1 minute ago, Zyndo said:

What do you mean by this...? I have a 5.1 surround on a PC at home with a old first generation Core series motherboard (no idea the exact board, was bought from best buy nearly a decade ago so it can't be all that good lol) hooked up to ONLY the motherboard on the back and then power into the wall... it works fine? or is this some audiophile "take your speakers to the next level or don't bother at all" milarchy?

Your speakers are powered from the wall. 

 

A lot of speakers don't have a power cable and are powered over the speaker cable. 

[manikyath]

3 minutes ago, Zyndo said:

What do you mean by this...? I have a 5.1 surround on a PC at home with a old first generation Core series motherboard (no idea the exact board, was bought from best buy nearly a decade ago so it can't be all that good lol) hooked up to ONLY the motherboard on the back and then power into the wall... it works fine? or is this some audiophile "take your speakers to the next level or don't bother at all" milarchy?

this is applying logic:

 

the 3.5mm outputs on motherboards are made for headphones or powered speakers, while there may be some exceptions, most motherboards out there dont have the output power to drive a surround setup system at an acceptable volume. hence why i said you still need an amplifier in between, which is essentially what powered speakers are: an amplifier built into your speakers.

[Zyndo]

Just now, djdwosk97 said:

Your speakers are powered from the wall. 

 

A lot of speakers don't have a power cable and are powered over the speaker cable. 

That's common on a surround sound speaker system? that's a LOT of speakers to not have access to wall power. on cheap 2 pc desk speakers or a headset sure.... but a home theatre surround setup..?

[79wjd]

6 minutes ago, Zyndo said:

That's common on a surround sound speaker system? that's a LOT of speakers to not have access to wall power. on cheap 2 pc desk speakers or a headset sure.... but a home theatre surround setup..?

Most good speakers require an amplifier to get their power. 

 

For a good home surround system (not Sonos type low end), you have: 

• Cable Box/DVD player/PC/source of content
  • HDMI output -> Pre-Amp's input
    • HDMI output -> TV's input
    • XLR/RCA cable output -> amplifier/s input
      • Speaker wire running to each speaker 

@Zyndo I updated this post with a bit more detail.

[SHOOK_Linus]

7 hours ago, djdwosk97 said:

Yes, just connect an optical cable from the motherboard output into the pre-amp. 

 

I would get a G4560 rather than an i3 though. 

What would a good pre amp be?

[SHOOK_Linus]

7 hours ago, Zyndo said:

Your motherboard has 7.1 audio connections on the back plus an optical out. You should be covered. You won't be able to use this PC as a middle-man between your media device and your speakers.... but if you intend on using this AS your media device (seems likely considering the build) then it should be able to fuel your sound system just fine.

How would I go about does go this, also, would the line in port work for using the pc as a middle man?

[79wjd]

35 minutes ago, SHOOK_Linus said:

What would a good pre amp be?

What setup do you have right now? 

 

 

[Drake10114]

9 hours ago, ErrantNyles said:

Can you run UHD Netflix on the G4560? I know that it requires Kaby Lake, but I wonder if they count that cpu too

Most likely yes, since it shares the same IGPU as other Kabylake chips and can support 4K 30fps.

[Zyndo]

2 hours ago, SHOOK_Linus said:

How would I go about does go this, also, would the line in port work for using the pc as a middle man?

my 5.1 at home has coloured jacks.... put the coloured jacks into the appropriate coloured ports on the motherboard and the electronics do the rest. and i don't know what you mean by "line in" but if you mean the headphone port I doubt it since that wouldn't carry 5.1 channels on it. at best you could get stereo out of it. But sound systems aren't really my forte, so I'm probably not the person you want to give you a definitive answer on the matter.

[SHOOK_Linus]

4 hours ago, djdwosk97 said:

What setup do you have right now? 

 

 

Not really sure what you mean by "setup", but here is a link to my HTPC: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/greendroid10/saved/WFyccf

[SHOOK_Linus]

3 hours ago, Zyndo said:

my 5.1 at home has coloured jacks.... put the coloured jacks into the appropriate coloured ports on the motherboard and the electronics do the rest. and i don't know what you mean by "line in" but if you mean the headphone port I doubt it since that wouldn't carry 5.1 channels on it. at best you could get stereo out of it. But sound systems aren't really my forte, so I'm probably not the person you want to give you a definitive answer on the matter.

So the 5.1 is seperate?

[SHOOK_Linus]

4 hours ago, Drake10114 said:

Most likely yes, since it shares the same IGPU as other Kabylake chips and can support 4K 30fps.

Can my core run 4k 60fps?

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/greendroid10/saved/WFyccf

[Zyndo]

15 minutes ago, SHOOK_Linus said:

Can my core run 4k 60fps?

https://pcpartpicker.com/user/greendroid10/saved/WFyccf

gaming? not a chance (unless running a super easy game like LoL on low settings).

 

video playback? easily.

[SHOOK_Linus]

42 minutes ago, Zyndo said:

gaming? not a chance (unless running a super easy game like LoL on low settings).

 

video playback? easily.

No, not gaming, no way, i meant like can it output 4k 60hz to the 4k TV over HDMI

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-55-class-54-6-diag--led-2160p-smart-4k-ultra-hd-tv/5792910.p?skuId=5792910

[79wjd]

4 hours ago, SHOOK_Linus said:

Not really sure what you mean by "setup", but here is a link to my HTPC: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/greendroid10/saved/WFyccf

What speakers do you have or are you looking at?

 

3 hours ago, SHOOK_Linus said:

No, not gaming, no way, i meant like can it output 4k 60hz to the 4k TV over HDMI

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lg-55-class-54-6-diag--led-2160p-smart-4k-ultra-hd-tv/5792910.p?skuId=5792910

It can output 4k@24hz over HDMI and 4k@60hz over Display Port, but for movies/tv 24hz is fine. If you want 4k@60hz, then you would need to use an active Display port to HDMI adapter (which are expensive), and you would also be limited in what the iGPU could run at 60fps.

[SHOOK_Linus]

8 hours ago, djdwosk97 said:

What speakers do you have or are you looking at?

I haven’t looked for any yet, so the only things I’m certain of so far are the system and the TV (See other thread posts for links)

8 hours ago, djdwosk97 said:

It can output 4k@24hz over HDMI and 4k@60hz over Display Port, but for movies/tv 24hz is fine. If you want 4k@60hz, then you would need to use an active Display port to HDMI adapter (which are expensive), and you would also be limited in what the iGPU could run at 60fps.

We are going to get the adapter