5.1 Surround from gtx 770 or any good nvidia gpu

First, you need to make sure the audio source(material) is 5.1.

Second, optical isn't true 5.1. It can only send uncompressed 2.1 and compressed 5.1. Optical isn't true discreet 5.1. SPDIF(optical) can only do simulated 5.1/7.1.

Thirdly, I'm assuming the TV/monitor doesn't have the right outputs, probably RCA stereo and optical.

If your TV/Monitor has a DVI input, I would use the DVI to TV/monitor and then plug your headset into the optical on the motherboard and configure as needed in realtek and windows audio/video settings.

Buying a sound card won't help since most only have analog(which is true discreet surround) or optical which then the soundcard is just a pass through card doing nothing if you hook it up to a receiver/surround sound processor preamp.

I hope that helps, post back if you need more information.

Be seeing you, the Prisoner...

It isn't just Turtle Beach but any headsets like Astros and etc, if they are using an optical hookup it can only do simulated 5.1./7.1.

Analog, display port and HDMI are the only way to get true discreet 5.1/7.1 and etc. Your TV only outputs digital(optical) and RCA stereo so hooking up the headset to the TV won't work except for gaming since all games are simulated surround. SO what is happening, you're using HDMI to TV which is true surround but using the optical to hook up the headset, It kinda down converts the channels to optical. So you're arent getting the sound you want, it would require a receiver or a surround sound preamp.

Getting audio software for the GPU won't help. The weak point here is using optical. I don't why and this has been a bitch of mine for years but why don't headsets use HDMI and it is very hard to find a sound card that uses HDMI! Optical is so outdated and really only good for 2.1 sound sources anymore.

I have the Turtle Beach HPA 2s which use analog outputs( which offers true surround) and is excellent for gaming, movies and pretty good for music. Too bad that they are no longer made.

I know you don't want a receiver but for $100.00 for a used one isn't a bad deal. But that still won't solve the problem that most headsets use optical instead of HDMI, display port or analog.

Be seeing you, the Prisoner

Sorry, I didn't get back to you sooner! Headsets and sound cards need to have HDMI and why don't they!? I've been saying this for years that optical is fine for music(2.1) but the tech can't handle the surround(5.1 plus) formats and needs to be dropped.

Auzentech put out a sound card with HDMI a few years ago but I think they are out of business.

Another thing that really pisses me off is the mobo's on board chip has the hardware to support all of the various surround sound formats(I didn't see if you posted your mobo model) but if you read the various manufactures spec sheets the surround encoders are optional software.

I understand why the software is optional on the mobo because the various licensing fees would add to the cost of the motherboard. But it is really hard to even buy the software to add it yourself. For example it might cost $10-20 each to add Dolby, DTS and Creative software to enable all the options for surround.

Don't even get me started why "Direct Sound" was completely borked by Microsoft starting with Windows Vista. Companies like "Creative" with EAX had/has wonderful surround sound emulation but with MS changing all that it was eliminated. Creative IMHO still has the best surround sound for gaming, they have been doing it for years and their drivers are better than most, not perfect but at least don't screw as bad as Asus sound cards.

Sorry for the rant. But MS and sound card makers really need to step up their game for gamers!

Be seeing you, the Prisoner...