this post was submitted on 26 Jul 2024
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USB-C hardware

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This community is for discussing topics related to USB-C and USB-PD.

Primitive connectors like USB-A and Micro USB are not offtopic, but may elicit a smug sense of superiority.

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3.5" and 5.25" USB-C front panels (sopuli.xyz)
submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/usbchardware
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There's nothing wrong with my old PC case, except I'd like some USB-Cs in the front panel.

The panel itself is unfortunately integrated, but it's possible to get additional front panels to 3.5" and 5.25" slots (the ones traditionally used for CDs etc). Here's one example from akasa with at least one USB-C: https://akasa.co.uk/search.php?seed=AK-ICR-36

It's perfectly fine if I have to just disconnect the integrated USB-A ports due to lack of motherboard connectors. They suck anyway.

So, please share recommendations for such devices. Let's not let those old cases go to waste!

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Do you have internal usb 3 ports, header? Where do you want to connect it to?

internal usb connectors look like these, you can see the cables on the akasa one you linked.

If you have a port inside, all of these things just a plastic box and some wires inside. Choose the cheapest one, or the one looks nice. If you don't have a port, the interesting part is the pcie-usb3 extension card

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Yeah I do have the usb header. Connected to the case ports atm, but it’s fine to replace that for the upcoming panel. I suppose that the standard header poses some limitations on what ports one can expect from these things.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Images are not showing up for some reason. What header you have, there are 3 kind of usb headers: 2, 3 and C. You need 3 or C if you want to use a front panel like that.

This is the C header: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/USB_3.1_GEN2_Key-A_front_panel_connector_IMGP3038_smial_wp.jpg

This is the 3 header: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b2/USB_30_pinheader_WP_20140221_023.jpg

Do you have these?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Good point. ATM I got the 30-pin header. But I'm getting a new board anyway too, so just gotta check that it has the newer headers as well.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

There are also pcie expansion cards that can add additional USB headers if you need.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

There also exists m.2 to USBC / USB3 headers, or even combinations. As long as you are OK losing an m.2 slot.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

There also seems to be 3.2 Gen 1 (the blue connector) to “Type-E” adapters: https://graugear.de/en/portfolio-item/g-ad-19te-90/

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago

Link isn't loading for me (spotty wifi) but AliExpress stock m.2 to both a single 3.1 (blue) and E on the one board. Personally I wouldn't be dropping an m.2 for one but I guess the option is there for those who need.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

A panel with only USB-Cs would be classy, but they don't seem to be around..

[–] p1mrx 4 points 3 months ago (1 children)

There are panel/bracket mounted Type-E to USB-C connectors, so it shouldn't be hard to attach some to a 3D printed 3.5" panel. The hard part is getting enough internal Type-E ports, ideally with USB-PD.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

A clever solution! But yeah, the board connectors don't seem to be too numerous..

Edit. I'm really leaning towards just ordering a couple of these Type-E to USB-C cables and just drilling them into the 5.25 cover panel.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 months ago

After some research, the akasa seems to be as good as it gets today. I did find one Graugear with identical ports: https://graugear.de/en/portfolio-item/g-mp01/

All the ones with more USB-Cs seem to achieve this by splitting the 20G connector into multiple slower ones, which is not worth it IMO.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

I didn’t quite follow what the problem is. In my case, for example, I can remove a front panel cover to reveal an empty bay, and install a new device into that bay

immediate edit Is the question ive asked literally what you are saying - “Instead of wasting an old case, you can get devices to add new functionality instead” ?

[–] [email protected] 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The bolded part. Recommendations for good front panels.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 4 months ago

Gotcha, thanks!