Maybe I'm an idiot but is there an easy way to tell how many front USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports are supported by any given motherboard? In my case, I plan on purchasing an ASRock H81M and while it clearly has connections for front USB ports, it doesn't seem to be straightforward information as to how many it would be capable of supporting without additional components needing to be purchased. Some guidance is needed in this area because I feel like the information is there and I'm just not seeing it and it's driving my nuts.
Front USB Headers
- Thread starter myelbow
- Start date
Solution
techgeek
Splendid
- Apr 11, 2004
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The front panel connectors for USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 are quite different and easily discernible from one another.
Here are links to images so you can see the difference:
USB 3.0
USB 2.0
Typically there is only one USB 3.0 connector on a motherboard for the front panel. That connector supports 2 ports. I have seen as many as 2 connectors for USB 2.0 for the front panel and again each connector supports 2 ports.
If your case supports USB 3.0 and / or USB 2.0, that will determine if you need additional hardware. I've seen cases that only support 3.0, some that have both on the front panel, and older cases which were around before 3.0 so they only support 2.0.
Here are links to images so you can see the difference:
USB 3.0
USB 2.0
Typically there is only one USB 3.0 connector on a motherboard for the front panel. That connector supports 2 ports. I have seen as many as 2 connectors for USB 2.0 for the front panel and again each connector supports 2 ports.
If your case supports USB 3.0 and / or USB 2.0, that will determine if you need additional hardware. I've seen cases that only support 3.0, some that have both on the front panel, and older cases which were around before 3.0 so they only support 2.0.
techgeek
Splendid
- Apr 11, 2004
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Didn't see that you mentioned the motherboard. According to the support page, it has two USB 2.0 connectors which support 4 USB 2.0 connectors on the front panel. If you case has 4 USB 2.0 ports on the front panel then you don't need anything else. If it doesn't and you want to utilize those ports, you'll need a front bay adapter (if you want them accessible from the front) or a IO shield USB 2.0 adapter if you want to make them accessible from the back.
As for USB 3.0 it has one connector on the motherboard which will support 2 ports. If your case has USB 3.0 front panel connectors you won't need any additional hardware. If it doesn't and you want them accessible from the front, you'll need a USB 3.0 front bay adapter, if you want them accessible from the back you'll need a IO shield USB 3.0 adapter.
As for USB 3.0 it has one connector on the motherboard which will support 2 ports. If your case has USB 3.0 front panel connectors you won't need any additional hardware. If it doesn't and you want them accessible from the front, you'll need a USB 3.0 front bay adapter, if you want them accessible from the back you'll need a IO shield USB 3.0 adapter.
Edit: You answered my questions for the most part while I was typing this up. 
blah blah blah removed..
That motherboard, ASRock H81M, has 4x2.0 and 2x3.0 in the back and I know for sure the one header for 3.0 up front. I just can't see in the photos where the 2.0 connections are up front or if they're there at all is my problem.
blah blah blah removed..
That motherboard, ASRock H81M, has 4x2.0 and 2x3.0 in the back and I know for sure the one header for 3.0 up front. I just can't see in the photos where the 2.0 connections are up front or if they're there at all is my problem.
techgeek
Splendid
- Apr 11, 2004
- 5,297
- 9
- 29,965
That blue plastic shrouded 19 pin connector (20pin - 1) is the USB 3.0 connector. It is good for 2 ports. If you have USB 3.0 connectors on your case, there will be a cable coming from the ports on the case and have the female end to match that connector on your motherboard. So you shouldn't need any additional hardware in that case.
As for USB 2.0 connectors, if you don't have them in addition to the USB 3.0 connectors, do you want to make them accessible from the front or the back. It would be helpful to know what case you plan on using. I don't know how many and what sizes of external bays you have. Making them accessible from the back is easy, its just an IO bracket (a slot bracket) that has 2 USB 2.0 connectors on it and a cable coming from those connectors that plugs into the motherboard. The front panel adapter is usually a box that will fit into one of your external bays. I think you can get them in 5.25" and 3.5" depending on what works better for your case.
As for USB 2.0 connectors, if you don't have them in addition to the USB 3.0 connectors, do you want to make them accessible from the front or the back. It would be helpful to know what case you plan on using. I don't know how many and what sizes of external bays you have. Making them accessible from the back is easy, its just an IO bracket (a slot bracket) that has 2 USB 2.0 connectors on it and a cable coming from those connectors that plugs into the motherboard. The front panel adapter is usually a box that will fit into one of your external bays. I think you can get them in 5.25" and 3.5" depending on what works better for your case.
techgeek
Splendid
- Apr 11, 2004
- 5,297
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- 29,965
myelbow :
Edit: You answered my questions for the most part while I was typing this up.
blah blah blah removed..
That motherboard, ASRock H81M, has 4x2.0 and 2x3.0 in the back and I know for sure the one header for 3.0 up front. I just can't see in the photos where the 2.0 connections are up front or if they're there at all is my problem.
blah blah blah removed..
That motherboard, ASRock H81M, has 4x2.0 and 2x3.0 in the back and I know for sure the one header for 3.0 up front. I just can't see in the photos where the 2.0 connections are up front or if they're there at all is my problem.
The USB 2.0 connectors are on the bottom of the motherboard.
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