cases with front USB 3.0

[beginner99]

How can those be used? As far as I see most if not all mainboard only have 2 usb 3.0 that are at the back panel?
or can I just use a normal usb 2 to connect these? (AFAIK usb 3 has a new connector?)

(The case I'm interested in has 2 USB 3.0 but don't really need them)

 

[MustISO]

I believe boards based on the LGA 1155 Intel P67 chipset have onboard USB 3.0. For example, the GA-P67A-UD5 and ASUS P8P67 Pro. I think the big issue is whether or not the connectors on the case would match the one on the mobo.

 

[stargazr]

You need a MB with USB3. They actually have a cable that goes through the back of the case and plugs into the USB3 port.

 

[NumericalMethods]

^^ This for the boards that have no USB 3.0 mobo headers (all p55 boads that I know of)

 

[Zap]

Intel P67 and H67 chipsets DO NOT HAVE USB 3.0. The motherboards based off those chipsets usually do have USB 3.0, provided through 3rd party chipsets.

To get it to work with front panel USB 3.0 ports, you have to make sure that the connections are the same. Some cases are designed for use with headers, some for use with rear ports and some for headers - with adapters for rear ports. All motherboards with USB 3.0 seem to have rear ports. Some have headers as well. Example: The Asus P8P67 sitting in my living room has headers and rear ports.

 

[StriperMike]

So if I have a case that has USB (2.0) ports and my new mobo has a USB 3.0 header on it, would I be able to connect it to my cases USB port giving me USB 3.0 connector? It is my understanding that the actual connector (USB 2 & 3) is the same, it's the cable and device used that makes it USB 3.0 speeds. Is that correct?

 

[stargazr]

No, you need either a MB with a USB3 controller, which as explained is usually through rear ports; or a PCI-E card which would also have a rear port. It requires a special cable and USB3 device. If you want front panel access you can use one of these -

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...b3+front+panel

.....which comes with a cable which goes through the back of the case and plugs into the USB3 port. Perhaps what you are thinking of is that USB3 is backward - compatible - you can plug a USB2 device into USB3, but not vice - versa.

 

[Zap]

So if I have a case that has USB (2.0) ports and my new mobo has a USB 3.0 header on it, would I be able to connect it to my cases USB port giving me USB 3.0 connector?

No. The USB 3.0 motherboard headers are different than USB 2.0. Note that every motherboard with USB 3.0 at this time still has USB 3.0 headers.

 

[996GT2]

No. The USB 3.0 motherboard headers are different than USB 2.0. Note that every motherboard with USB 3.0 at this time still has USB 3.0 headers.

My Gigabyte board has 2 USB 3.0 ports on the back but only has headers for USB 2.0.

Oh well, 2 on the back is enough for me.

 

[BoomerD]

If you look at this pic:

The blue cables are the USB 3.0 feeding to the front panel.
IMO, it's a poor design, but one that will probably be corrected as USB 3.0 becomes more popular and more common.

 

[beginner99]

If you look at this pic:

The blue cables are the USB 3.0 feeding to the front panel.
IMO, it's a poor design, but one that will probably be corrected as USB 3.0 becomes more popular and more common.

And as far as I understood this has to be done with most (or all) mainboards that have USB 3.0? So basically front usb 3.0 is at the moment pretty much useless. I do see if you keep your case for multiple builds, you will be able to use it later on.

 

[stargazr]

So basically front usb 3.0 is at the moment pretty much useless.

If you say so.

 

[BoomerD]

I don't think front USB 3.0 is useless, just not fully implemented...yet.

From the Coolermaster FAQ's for that HAF X:

Question

How do I use the SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports?

Answer

HAF X is the first available full tower chassis with USB 3.0 support. Currently the NEC controllers on USB 3.0 motherboards do not support a standardized header. To use the USB 3.0 ports, route the extension cables from the I/O behind the motherboard and through the rear hole in the motherboard tray. You can then use one of the three rubber water cooling ports on the rear of the chassis to meet the USB 3.0 port on the motherboard. As soon as a better solution is released with a standard USB 3.0 motherboard header on chip, Cooler Master will provide the internal header USB 3.0 cables as a free part exchange.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

I don't think front USB 3.0 is useless, just not fully implemented...yet.

From the Coolermaster FAQ's for that HAF X:

:thumbsup: to CM for offering a free adapter. I hope Lian Li does the same.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Doesn't the 600T offer a front USB 3.0 slot?

 

[Hardtarget]

Doesn't the 600T offer a front USB 3.0 slot?

I just built a computer using the 600t yesterday

It has 1 USB 3 Port on the front but it works by way of a USB Cable extention that you run to the back of the case and out and than plug into a USB 3 slot on the IO Shield. It doesn't have the USB3 style header that we're starting to see on the newer motherboards unfortunately.

 

[shortnugly]

So this USB 3.0 header for the front panel, provided with the Asrock Extreme6 Z77 with the connectors off the MB won't have the same transfer speeds as the rear USB 3.0 ports?

 

[tracerbullet]

I don't know why it wouldn't.

My Asrock Z77 board has an internal USB3 header, definitely a different size and shape than the normal USB 2 header. It's plugged into the front USB 3 ports in my Corsair 550D case, via a cable that came with the case. They included an adapter as well, to go to a USB 2 header if needed, but I didn't need it. AFAIK the front ports run at USB3 speeds, but I don't have a new enough flash drive to check.

All this is done inside my case. I've seen cables to route around and outside to plug in the back, just depends on your setup I guess if you need to do it that way. I had everything internal, no need for that stuff. Didn't realize it was so uncommon.

 

[x2ezx]

CM 690 Advanced have two USB 3.
My 650D have two front USB 3 connector.