GA-Z87-HD3 Where is my Realtek Digital Output

[LunchPatterson]

I have a GA-Z87-HD3.  I am trying to hook up a 5.1 receiver to it.  I see an option for Realtek Digital Output as a playback device.  I am lost as to where or what I would plug in for that option to put out sound. I have the standard 6 headphone jacks in the back but no other plug none of those would output 5.1.  I don't see an orange audio "RCA" like jack, no hdmi other then from the on board video, and no optical jack.  At the moment I am running it from my video card to the receiver then to the monitor, this only enables stereo or 2 / 2.1 not true 5.1.  Just wondering what exactly it thinks the Realtek Digital Output is.

[dmdilks]

Try using the HDMI connection on the board. Go to the book it will tell you how to do it. Book - 1-6 Back Panel Connectors

[LunchPatterson]

I used the HDMI on the back I now have an option for "Digital Audio (HDMI)" but it says nothing is plugged in.  I've tried both monitors as speakers and the head unit.  Nothing detects, meanwhile my "Realtek Digital Output" still shows connected and I can switch to it, the EQ shows sound going out but I still have found nothing else to plug into for it.

[dmdilks]

Sorry I thought maybe that would work. Your board doesn't have digital out put. The only other way you can make it work is buy a sound card.

[LunchPatterson]

Its sending sound to Realtek Digital Output in the playback option.  The EQ is going up and down.  I just have to figure out where it thinks that is.  This is so frustrating lol.

[LunchPatterson]

  This screenshot is of the Realtek Digital Output properties.  As you see it says ATAPI internal, I looked on the board and don't see any plugs that would be audio on the board anywhere either.

[LunchPatterson]

The first is of the new HDMI at the top that is plugged in but says it isn't. The second  is of the Digital Output working but not putting sound out of anything plugged in.  

[mikeyb5753]

that board does have digital out via a header.  thats where the audio will be going

[LunchPatterson]

Thanks! I found it need a 3pin to a SPIDF and I have my problem solved.  Thanks again so much!  Kind of silly it was that simple one I figured out what I was looking for, lol.

[dmdilks]

I must be looking at the wrong board because by what the book says it is on a 2 pin header. Plus this is right from the book too.

That is why I said about not really having a digital connection.

SPDIF_O (S/PDIF Out Header)

This header supports digital S/PDIF Out and connects a S/PDIF digital audio cable (provided by expansion
cards) for digital audio output from your motherboard to certain expansion cards like graphics cards and
sound cards. For example, some graphics cards may require you to use a S/PDIF digital audio cable for
digital audio output from your motherboard to your graphics card if you wish to connect an HDMI display
to the graphics card and have digital audio output from the HDMI display at the same time.
For information about connecting the S/PDIF digital audio cable, carefully read the manual for your expansion card.