S/PDIF... what is the point of it?

[SpringWater]

I was just wondering what does the S/PDIF cable do cause it came with my gts 250 but it was detachable, and because I could not find where to connect it in my motherboard's instructions I just detached it and don't use it... how come is my card working just fine? what does this cable do

 

[wolfeking]

S/PDIF is a digital audio cable. It is likely there because your DVI can not do audio without a cable, hence the audio cable.

 

[jonnyp11]

it's an audio cable apparently and normally used with like amps and stuffs that most people dont have.

 

[wolfeking]

jonny, that is not right. S/PDIF is just a digital audio connector. Any decent reciever will have a port to use it. The main reason to use it is that it cuts the 3/4 cable setup of 5.1/7.1 down to 1 cable. Easier to run, and easier on cable management.

 

[jonnyp11]

OK, cool, always figured there had to be an alternative to the amount of ports i saw on the back of audio cards.

 

[SpringWater]

In other words, I can not use it and my pc will work as intended, right?

 

[wolfeking]

it will work fine without it.

 

[Geoff]

In other words, I can not use it and my pc will work as intended, right?

Correct