Front panel audio and CORSAIR PSU issues explained

In September 2023, Intel's ATX 3.x specification underwent a notable change, shifting the -12V from a "required" status to merely "recommended." This adjustment was prompted by the declining presence of PCI slots and RS-232 ports, which had traditionally relied on this voltage.

Consequently, CORSAIR initiated the phase-out of the -12V rail from our power supply units.

Following this transition, it was discovered that Asus had been utilizing the -12V rail in two specific ways: either to detect when headphones were plugged into the front panel or as part of the amplification circuit of the audio output for the front audio jack. However, Asus has since informed us that they ceased using the -12V rail starting in late 2022.

Most recently, we have discovered that ASRock has begun employing the -12V rail for the operational amplifier (opamp) in their front panel audio systems, despite the specification no longer requiring it.

For those with a power supply unit (PSU) lacking a negative 12V rail (this can be confirmed by checking the output rail specifications on the PSU,) and experiencing silence through the front panel audio jack, it may indicate that the audio integrated circuit (IC) is utilizing the -12V to detect wired headphone insertion.

To address this, disable the front panel jack detection feature. Typically, this action requires installing the audio driver provided by the motherboard's manufacturer, as the default Windows driver does not support this function.

If your PSU lacks a negative 12V rail and you can hear audio, but it is distorted with squealing or humming noises, the issue likely stems from the front panel's audio circuit needing a negative 12V rail, which is absent. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do at this point.