Standard optical cables do not have enough bandwidth to carry uncompressed 5.1 or 7.1 audio. For PC gaming in true surround sound, analog cables (using the black, orange, and green jacks) or an HDMI cable are actually superior to an optical digital cable. 📌 The Verdict
Realtek Digital Output vs. Analog: Which Is Truly Better for Your Audio? realtek digital output better
On your motherboard’s I/O shield, look for one of these: Standard optical cables do not have enough bandwidth
or your motherboard manufacturer’s support page for the latest "High Definition Audio Codecs." 3. Match Sample Rates analog cables (using the black