usb 3.0 pci-e adapter card

demonikal

demonikal

New Member
I got a USB 3.0 pci-e adapter card for my PC. It came with almost everything. It didn't come with the USB header cable. I didn't think I'd need one, because I thought I'd just use the one that goes from my 2 front USB ports to the header port on the motherboard. But, the port on the card is 19 pin, not 9/10 pin. Can someone tell me what to get. I saw stuff on Newegg, but I don't know which one to get.

This is the adapter card I purchased: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17Z-0002-00002 The 19 pin USB header port is male it looks like.
 
That's a USB 3.0 header. If the header cable for your case has the smaller cable, it means it's only USB 2.0 capable. The card doesn't come with the header, the case (or whatever else you are trying to connect to the card) would be what has the header.
 
WRXGuy1 said:
That's a USB 3.0 header. If the header cable for your case has the smaller cable, it means it's only USB 2.0 capable. The card doesn't come with the header, the case (or whatever else you are trying to connect to the card) would be what has the header.
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So, the two USB 2.0 ports on the front of my PC case... a USB 3.0 header going from the back of those ports to the new adapter card wouldn't make those ports USB 3.0 capable?
 
USB 3.0 ports have 9 pins, USB 2.0 have 4 pins, so swapping the cable won't make them USB 3.0 ports. In addition, most USB ports on cases are hardwired to a cable with a header connector, they don't have a modular cable that can be unplugged - but if there is, it won't work.
 
WRXGuy1 said:
USB 3.0 ports have 9 pins, USB 2.0 have 4 pins, so swapping the cable won't make them USB 3.0 ports. In addition, most USB ports on cases are hardwired to a cable with a header connector, they don't have a modular cable that can be unplugged - but if there is, it won't work.
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Okay, it's not hardwired to a cable, but gotcha on the not gonna work part :good:
 
Go on Newegg and search for "usb 3.0 front panel". You will find front panel brackets that can be mounted in an external front drive bay. These are for people that have computer cases that do not have front 3.0 connectors. Note front USB 2.0 connector are not wired the same way.

It depends on what external drive bays you have. Some of these brackets mount in a 3-1/2" drive bay while others mount in 5-1/4" drive bay. For example my case had 3 external 5-1/4" drive bays and no external 3-1/2" drive bays.

Look for ones that come with a cable for a USB 3.0 19/20 pin motherboard header. Some may not connect to a header at all but instead plug into rear USB 3.0 connectors that you are not using. For example my motherboard has both a 19-pin USB 3.0 header and rear USB 3.0 connectors so I have a choice which ones to use for a front panel bracket.
 
MisterEd said:
Go on Newegg and search for "usb 3.0 front panel". You will find front panel brackets that can be mounted in an external front drive bay. These are for people that have computer cases that do not have front 3.0 connectors. Note front USB 2.0 connector are not wired the same way.

It depends on what external drive bays you have. Some of these brackets mount in a 3-1/2" drive bay while others mount in 5-1/4" drive bay. For example my case had 3 external 5-1/4" drive bays and no external 3-1/2" drive bays.

Look for ones that come with a cable for a USB 3.0 19/20 pin motherboard header. Some may not connect to a header at all but instead plug into rear USB 3.0 connectors that you are not using. For example my motherboard has both a 19-pin USB 3.0 header and rear USB 3.0 connectors so I have a choice which ones to use for a front panel bracket.
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Thanks, that's a great suggestion :good: I'll look into that because I only have one USB 3.0 device that I would have plugged into the back 24/7. I have a USB 3.0 flash drive and a USB 3.0 external hard drive that would be so much easier plugging into front ports. Great idea!
 
I have also seen a few people mod a usb 2 front panel. They take the whole "block" apart and replace the usb 2 components out with usb 3 innards. I have seen this done on a few Antec 300 cases. All depends on how ur front ports are mounted and if you can get it apart.
 
MisterEd said:
Look for ones that come with a cable for a USB 3.0 19/20 pin motherboard header. Some may not connect to a header at all but instead plug into rear USB 3.0 connectors that you are not using. For example my motherboard has both a 19-pin USB 3.0 header and rear USB 3.0 connectors so I have a choice which ones to use for a front panel bracket.
Click to expand...

Okay, my motherboard does not have USB 3.0 header connectors. I think it has 2 or 3 USB 2.0 header connectors. One is in use now for the front/top USB ports (it's towards the front of my case, but on the top, not on the front).

I have a PCI-e adapter with 2 rear USB 3.0 ports. I have a power cable coming from the power supply going to that (well, not now, because it wouldn't work). Then there is the, I assume, 19-pin USB 3.0 header connector. Is that what you are talking about having the 19/20 pin header cable go to? I just wanted to be clear before I make any purchases.
 
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