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#11
The rear ports are straight from the motherboard and are color coded. Usually green is for speakers and red is for microphone. The front ports are from the front panel headers, you should have an audio cable from the front pane and can connect to one of the 2 audio panels on the motherboard. That just sends the audio signal to the front audio jacks. The front panel audio connector is usually split with 2 connections, AC97 and HD Audio, you choose which one to connect (HD Audio is highly recommended). The person who know 'all things audio would be @fireberd
To me the simplest and almost foolproof method is to use headphones with a USB connection. You can also buy an adapter to convert the 3.5mm jacks into a USB.
Something along this line https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-BENGO...m+audio+to+usb
Essenbe has it covered. The HD Audio (preferred) or AC97 connection is the one that is connected to the audio header on the motherboard. (usually in the lower left of the motherboard).
The front Panel connections on your case should have a cable that connects to your motherboard. That will send audio In/out to the front panel connections. You should be able to connect your headphones there. Alternatively, you can buy something similar to what I linked to in order to convert your headphone 3.5mm connections to a USB connection.
You should be able to look at the back side of your front panel connections and find the wire that connects to the audio jacks. Follow that cable to see where it plugs into your motherboard, or where it is. It should have 2 connections on the end. One for AC97 and one for HD Audio. Look at your manual which should show where those connections are. They are normally on the bottom left corner of your motherboard. Use the HD audio connection and not the AC97 one.