I am putting an older MSI K7D motherboard into a more modern case with a front audio PCB.
The case has a HD / AC97 connector with a 5x2 pin out.
The motherboard only has 4x1 stereo connectors - R-Grnd-Grnd-L.
Are there any adapters available or will I have to make one myself?
Hello Gazdok,
You are wanting to connect your MSI motherboard to the Front audio panel in a modern case? If I am understanding you correctly, the HD / AC97 connector in the case only allows connection to either HD Audio or AC97 Audio - you cannot use both audio.
The MSI K7D motherboard is an older motherboard, and only supports AC97 audio. So, you need to connect the computer case's AC97 header to the Motherboard audio socket. Instructions on how to do that should be with the Computer Case installation instructions. The location of your audio socket should be in your Motherboard instruction manual.
Hello Iko22,
The MSI K7 supports AC97, but it does not have a socket connection for the AC97 case audio plug.
I do not have any instruction from the case on how to downgrade connect its connector.
I have uploaded pictures of the motherboard audio versus the AC97 connector.
Those connectors are very different to AC'97. AC'97 (front panel) does more than connect L and R channels, and Ground. AC'97 (front panel) also disconnects motherboard rear audio when front panel auidio is in use.
So, I think you will have trouble connecting any of those motherboard connectors to a AC'97 front panel output. So, I would give up on trying to connect that motherboard to front audio on your new case.
Instead, I have a new suggestion that might work for you. Have you noticed that some PC keyboards have an audio jack? My suggestion would be to upgrade your keyboard to a keyboard with audio jack, then you could use the keyboard audio jack to connect your audio device. That way, the audio jack on keyboard would provide you a "front" audio connection.
I looked on eBay for some kind of convertor cable but couldn't find any. You may want to find a PCI sound card that has an onboard AC97 connector so that you can use that for front panel audio. Or you could just plug in headphones/speakers to the PCI sound card directly in the back of the computer.
I found a USB internal to AC97 male adapter on Ebay.
9pin Male to External USB A Male PC Mainboard Internal Data Extension Cabl HwSJU | eBay
Would this allow sound out to the front panel headphones via a USB card?
That's a very interesting find, but I'm not sure if that will work. Plus, you need a USB connection inside the case on a PCI card or something. Then I don't know if some driver is involved here or not since that's USB. You're probably better off getting a dedicated PCI sound card like I mentioned. I'm not sure if there are any sound cards that have an on board AC'97 connector or not, but if so you could use that. Or simply plug headphones into the back of the PC via the PCI sound card. It's not what you wanted, but I'm not sure of any other solutions to the issue. It's really a case vs mother board thing.
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