Desktop computer

bobkn · 2026-10-12T20:09:22-0400

wojtekmazgaj said:
Yes, and there is sound coming from the speaker.
So, have modern desktop computers done away with the green speaker jack on the back of the case? And would I have to use the black headphone jack on the front?

You'd be likelier to have rear panel audio outputs with a gaming PC. Example: Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop | Dell USA

It has one line-level output.

I don't understand "And would I have to use the black headphone jack on the front?". It's all you have that is built-in to the PC.

A few years ago, it may have been fairly common to have 4 audio jacks in some rear I/O panels. That'd give 7.1 surround sound (7 channels plus one subwoofer channel). I don't see that now, even on some-high-end motherboards. Some give 7.1 audio by having 3 jacks, and use the front headphone jack as the 4th.

Scannerman · 2026-10-12T20:14:46-0400

What can one expect from a budget desktop? If it works that's what matters. Green, purple, blue makes little difference to functionality. Having the "jill" on the front makes it easier to reach. Agreeably, a manual is always a good thing to have.

Ghot · 2026-10-12T20:22:35-0400

Google AI says to use one of these...

See post #25

Edwin · 2026-10-12T20:30:14-0400

Ghot said:
Google AI says to use one of these...

'cept he needs the female version...

Ghot · 2026-10-12T20:34:24-0400

Edwin said:
'cept he needs the female version...

Yep... THIS one... even better

Google AI said it needs a built in DAC chip. This one has that.

Yes, speakers with a 3.5mm jack can be connected to a USB port, but you cannot use a simple straight cable or wire because a 3.5mm jack carries an analog audio signal while a USB port carries digital data

Get a USB Audio Adapter: Buy a small USB-to-3.5mm adapter (such as the Plugable USB Audio Adapter). This adapter has a built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that translates the computer's digital USB signal into an analog audio signal.

Only DELL would make a desktop computer without a GREEN 3.5mm speaker connection.
Guess they just couldn't afford those extra circuit runs. LOL

MisterEd · 2026-10-12T21:05:52-0400

bobkn said:
You'd be likelier to have rear panel audio outputs with a gaming PC. Example: Alienware Aurora Gaming Desktop | Dell USA

It has one line-level output.

I don't understand "And would I have to use the black headphone jack on the front?". It's all you have that is built-in to the PC.

A few years ago, it may have been fairly common to have 4 audio jacks in some rear I/O panels. That'd give 7.1 surround sound (7 channels plus one subwoofer channel). I don't see that now, even on some-high-end motherboards. Some give 7.1 audio by having 3 jacks, and use the front headphone jack as the 4th.

Is that to save money? From what I can see the Alienware Aurora ACT1250 has two options for speakers:

Line-out port - stereo speakers.
Optical S/PDIF port - 2 channels of uncompressed PCM stereo audio or up to 5.1 channels of compressed surround sound.

Of course you have to match that with the appropriate speakers.
Note some speakers can connect using USB so that may also be an option.

It looks like Dell has minimal support for audio for computers like the OP has. Having only one audio port is probably to save money.

bobkn · 2026-10-12T21:08:23-0400

Ghot said:
(snip)

Only DELL would make a desktop computer without a GREEN 3.5mm speaker connection.
Guess they just couldn't afford those extra circuit runs. LOL

Or HP or Lenovo for some of their SFF business desktops, according to Google AI.

Heck, I don't even need a rear audio port. My Kef Egg speakers are connected via USB. (Built-in DAC.) Could have connected via BlueTooth or SPDIF optical.

hsehestedt · 2026-10-12T21:09:02-0400

I have about a dozen different USB to audio cables. They are available as USB-A or USB-C to RCA jacks, 3.5mm male or female connector, TOSLINK optical, and more formats. They are cheap and work great!

Another advantage to these: If you use a KVM to connect your keyboard and mouse to multiple PCs, plug one of these cables into a shared USB port on the KVM and now your audio will also switch between machines seamlessly.

Edwin · 2026-10-12T21:34:44-0400

Ghot said:
Guess they just couldn't afford those extra circuit runs.

Everybody does digital now!
Which is a shame, analog, more often than not, has such warmth!
I just ripped a cherished heirloom LP for somebody using Audacity4..., just look at the caliber of those files...
Incredibly warm and ambient!

Scannerman · 2026-10-12T21:41:45-0400

Ghot said:
Only DELL would make a desktop computer without a GREEN 3.5mm speaker connection.
Guess they just couldn't afford those extra circuit runs. LOL

Price of silly-con affects everyone. Mass produced pre-builds are going to cut corners where and when they can and always have. The urgency to do so is more intense than ever. Even the 22TB EXOS hard drive I looked at over a year a go cost less than 1K CA. Now it's over $1400 and Seagate is out of stock.

Scannerman · 2026-10-12T21:43:57-0400

Edwin said:
Everybody does digital now!
Which is a shame, analog, more often than not, has such warmth!
I just ripped a cherished heirloom LP for somebody using Audacity4..., just look at the caliber of those files...
Incredibly warm and ambient!

View attachment 186391

My tubes are warming up just looking at it.

garlin · 2026-10-12T22:01:52-0400

Scannerman said:
Price of silly-con affects everyone. Mass produced pre-builds are going to cut corners where and when they can and always have. The urgency to do so is more intense than ever. Even the 22TB EXOS hard drive I looked at over a year a go cost less than 1K CA. Now it's over $1400 and Seagate is out of stock.

SFF models are marketed to businesses that want a low-cost PC with no need for expansion options. So you're not getting extra USB or input/output ports. If you need something else, then check the PC's specs before making a purchase.

Dell offers MT (mini-towers) if you need something with more ports. Can't blame Dell when they offer multiple form factors in the same product family.

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