Adding USB 3.0 slots to front panel on PC

[cwill99]

I want to add a front panel 3.0 USB to my custom-built PC. I am finding a lot of back panel mounts using the PCI-E, but can I simply mount one via a 20-pin USB 3.0 from my motherboard? Will it need any other connections/components?

Any recommendations? I need at the very least 3 USB 3.0 ports, and have been looking at the IO Crest 3.5 Inch Bay 4 Port Hub USB 3.0 with Fast Charging Port (link below) but am not sure if it requires additional hardware such as something to hook up to a PCI-E as it shows in the photos. My motherboard has USB 3.0, SATA, and PCI-E connectors available, I am just not sure what is absolutely necessary for a front mount USB panel.

http://www.amazon.com/Crest-Inch-Port-Charging-SY-HUB20134/dp/B008FJXGDQ/ref=pd_sim_pc_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Y47XNJ34NGC0YC2F03K

 

[clutchc]

Are these what you are looking for? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=usb+3.0+front+panel&N=-1&isNodeId=1

 

[cwill99]

Are these what you are looking for? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=usb+3.0+front+panel&N=-1&isNodeId=1

Yes that is pretty much it, I'm trying to figure out how they connect to see if I can put in in my PC though.

I thought you could just hook it up with a single cable from one of these to a 20-pin USB 3.0 port on the motherboard but I'm not sure, I saw a photo of it being connected to an additional back panel USB hub and completely skip the motherboard (except for where the rear hub connects to the PCI-E).

Is it possible to do the simple 20-pin USB3 cord only?

 

[clutchc]

Yes, that is the way I have mine. I put this one in my machine: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811997111&cm_re=usb_3.0_front_panel-_-11-997-111-_-Product
I believe it comes in a 4 USB port model too. And yes, it comes with a single 20 pin USB connector to fit the header on your MB.

 

[clutchc]

I take that back. The 20 pin header on your MB will only support 2 ports.

 

[cwill99]

I take that back. The 20 pin header on your MB will only support 2 ports.

So if I wanted 4-5 USB3's I would need a different connector? Would I also need an additional power supply to it?

 

[clutchc]

If you look at the pics of some of the panels that provide more than 2 USB 3.0 ports, you'll see they utilize the MB's rear USB 3.0 ports with a pass-thru cable to plug into them. (as in the one you linked to at the top) The number of USB 3.0 ports you can have is determined by the MB you have. Most only provide a single 2-port/20- pin header.