Question Any cases out there with front IO USB 3.2 gen 2x2 and PD?

[zer0th_]

Seeing a lot of motherboards with 3.2 gen 2x2 headers onboard for front-panel IO, some with PD up to 60W as well. What I haven't found is a single case that supports 20Gbps (2x2) and PD ... but perhaps I just haven't looked in the right places?

Or perhaps case front-panel 3.1/3.2 gen 2 (not 2x2) USB C ports actually do support 2x2 and PD?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[Paperdoc]

My understanding is that the Type C sockets fed by a cable from a mobo Type E header can support BOTH Gen2 and Gen2x2 versions. I suspect the reason is that the Gen 2x2 header operates differently from Gen 2, but at virtually the same signal rate. Say what? Well, Gen 1 and Gen 2 mobo headers, like the older USB2 system, actually contain TWO USB ports so that the cables from these headers can feed TWO external sockets operating simultaneously and independently. A Gen 2x2 header is different. It contains only ONE 2x2 port and this can feed only one socket. It's as if the two ports of other Gen's are combined into two co-ordinated communications channels each operating at the slower speed of 10 Gb/s max, but combined able to transfer data in total at 20 Gb/s. IF you plug into that socket a device able to work only at the slower Gen 2 speed, the device and mobo controller will negotiate to run at the slower speed. That's just the common way that USB3.2 controllers operate to provide backwards compatibility.

That's just MY interpretation. But I do note that the CABLE and SOCKET from a mobo Type E header to a front panel Type C socket appear to come in only one version - no specials designated for Gen 2 only or for Gen 2x2 only. MAYBE to confirm you could ask Tech Support at the case maker whether that front socket system does support Gen 2x2.

 

[Tech Junky]

I'm using a meshify 2 and steel legend board and can get 20gbps our of the C port. All you need is a board and header plus a C port for it to work.

 

[zer0th_]

MAYBE to confirm you could ask Tech Support at the case maker whether that front socket system does support Gen 2x2.

Good info, thank. Yeah, I've got an email in to the case mfg, but I'm not expecting much from that interaction...

 

[zer0th_]

I'm using a meshify 2 and steel legend board and can get 20gbps our of the C port. All you need is a board and header plus a C port for it to work.

Good to hear that, Fractal's probably where I'll end up with this. I don't think asrock does PD on their headers, but if your board happens to claim support, do you know if you get PD through the front USB C?

 

[Paperdoc]

PD on USB is not part of the basic USB 3.2 Standard. It is an extension, so whether it is available, and in which versions, depends on the Controller that feeds the Type C socket on the case. You'd have to seek that info from the maker of the MOBO.

 

[Tech Junky]

Good to hear that, Fractal's probably where I'll end up with this. I don't think asrock does PD on their headers, but if your board happens to claim support, do you know if you get PD through the front USB C?

Depends on the board header since there's no place to plug in additional power for the front ports.

On my TB4 card though there's a SATA power cable to hit 100w on those ports.

 

[zer0th_]

PD on USB is not part of the basic USB 3.2 Standard. It is an extension, so whether it is available, and in which versions, depends on the Controller that feeds the Type C socket on the case. You'd have to seek that info from the maker of the MOBO.

Yep, I get that. Starting assumption is that mobo advertises 30W or 60W PD via header for front USB C. What I didn't know, and was trying to ask, was whether the case's cable/port *also* needs to support PD, or whether it 'just works' because the cable/connector are irrelevant.

 

[Tech Junky]

case's cable/port *also* needs to support PD, or whether it 'just works' because the cable/connector are irrelevant.

It just works since it's copper.

The supply side doesn't care what's on the end of the cable util you plug something into it and then it negotiates with the device.

AFAIK there aren't any 100W MOBO's out there for front headers. There are some USB3 front plates though that have room for adding a power cable to the backside though. It all depends on your needs and wants though. Convenience of being readily accessible always plays into things and how much you're willing to do to get that convenience whether it's the cash or modifying things to your will or both.

There's one caveat though..... Sometimes the MOBO doesn't have the right Voltage to negotiate with a device. For instance I have a 5G gateway that requires 15V to power on and had a battery bank that didn't negotiate that 15V but was capable of hitting 100W on a single port. I ended up ordering a USB PD meter and figuring out what the issue was. Easy fix was to find a battery that listed 15V as one of the levels it output at. The funny thing about the gateway though is the wall wart lists 3 V/A settings 1/2/3A 7/10/15V and I couldn't picture it using 45W. In reality when it's powered on though it's using less than 5W @ 15V.