[SOLVED] Connect front panel USB-C without MB header or full-size PCIe?

[KarylFStein]

I have a Fractal Design Define 7 case with a USB 3.2 Gen 2 type-C port and an Asus B550-F MB. The MB does not have a place to connect the front-panel connector. While the MB has several PCIe slots, I have all the lanes filled with a x16 card and a x4 Thunderbolt card, (which also consumes the Thunderbolt header). However, I have an unused M.2 slot as well as a few rear-facing USB 3.2 gen 2 plugs. I am looking for a way to connect the front-panel USB-C and get the full power and performance from it.

I have found the following M.2 to USB 3.2 gen 2 headers, but have not found any easy way to purchase them:

https://shentek.com/product/1-port-internal-usb-c-usb-3-1-gen2-10g-m-2-card/
https://diarts-tech.com/product/1-port-internal-usb-c-usb-3-1-gen-2-10g-m-2-card/

Something like that would be ideal assuming it works as I think it does. I have also found this M.2 to female USB-C, but have not had any luck finding an adaptor or cable that has a male USB-C on one end and an “A-Key 20 pin female” connector on the other:

https://www.newegg.com/p/17Z-005S-000H7?Description=usb 3.2&cm_re=usb_3.2-_-17Z-005S-000H7-_-Product

Any help on how to get the front-panel port hooked up to this system without sacrificing speed?

 

[BogdanH]

You need USB 3.0 header to USB-C adapter:

-it's only few bucks.

 

[KarylFStein]

You need USB 3.0 header to USB-C adapter:

-it's only few bucks.

Won't that limit me to 5G instead of 10G speeds?

 

[Krotow]

Won't that limit me to 5G instead of 10G speeds?

There are no PCIe expansion cards with working USB 3.2 Gen2. Only USB 3.1 Gen2 (5 Gbps) or fakes.

 

[BogdanH]

Won't that limit me to 5G instead of 10G speeds?

Speed depends on your motherboard, of course, and is 5Gbps. I thought you're looking for simple solution on how to connect front USB-C .
Btw. there's no such thing as "USB 3.2 Gen 2 type-C". It's only USB-C, which is physical shape of connector -speed depends on source.