[SOLVED] Need help selecting a MB with USB 3.1 Type-C connection.

[Phosphonothioic]

As the title states, I'm in the market for a motherboard. I bought a Lian-Li Lancool II case that comes with the option of a Type-C sockect next the the USB/Power/Audio/etc ports on top of the case. I'm currently using an ASRock B450M/ac and, unless I'm missing something, it does not have a Type-C connection.

Rest of my system:

• Ryzen 7 3700X
• 32GB (2x16) G.Skill F4-3200C16-16GVK
• MSI OC Ventus 8GB RTX 2070 Super
• Intel 660p M.2 2TB
• Seasonic Focus 650W Gold

I'd like to keep the costs down and stay in the mATX realm if possible. The issue I'm having is I'm unable to identify the Type-C connections on any of the boards I view on Amazon/Newegg. So, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be able to point me in the right direction.

Thanks!

 

[rgd1101]

it is still usb 3.1

 

[Phosphonothioic]

I've attached a photo of the cable. I've never seen the "I-shaped" connector before, hence my question. I have USB 3.1 on my current boards and nothing looks like it'd take that header.


Type-C Cable

 

[BogdanH]

you probably need usb c header adapter:

 

[Phosphonothioic]

It appears that the ASRock B450M/ac only has one USB 3.x connection. If I were to use this adapter, I wouldn't have a place to plug in the cable leading from the front panel USB 3.0 (or am I mistaken). If I am not mistaken, my original question stands. I need a board that can accommodate, I guess, two connections. I'll do some digging around, but if anyone can pitch in, that'd be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Phosphonothioic]

Maybe THIS is an option. (PCI-E USB 3.0x2 card)

 

[BogdanH]

I didn't pay attention to your MoBo. Yes, PCIe USB card (that you found) would be better solution, because you can still use standard USB3.0 connectors on front panel, plus USB-C. You still need a header adapter for USB-C cable, though.

 

[Phosphonothioic]

I didn't pay attention to your MoBo. Yes, PCIe USB card (that you found) would be better solution, because you can still use standard USB3.0 connectors on front panel, plus USB-C. You still need a header adapter for USB-C cable, though.

I imagine I'll need an extension cable to reach the card as well if I'm going to route it behind the MB in any sense. Thanks for your help.

 

[BogdanH]

Yes, front panel cables are usually darn short (they save every cent they can).
If possible, I try to avoid extension cables, because there can be troubles (bad contact, or whatever) and it can be difficult to find the reason.
From your photo, front USB-C connector is actually standalone (not integrated into panel). So, I would probably try to find similar connector which would have longer cable -just sharing my thoughts

 

[Phosphonothioic]

Yes, front panel cables are usually darn short (they save every cent they can).
If possible, I try to avoid extension cables, because there can be troubles (bad contact, or whatever) and it can be difficult to find the reason.
From your photo, front USB-C connector is actually standalone (not integrated into panel). So, I would probably try to find similar connector which would have longer cable -just sharing my thoughts

Yeah, the problem with sourcing another Type-C cable is that it is a custom option for the Lian-Li Lancool II. It actually has to be installed in the same module that holds the other I/Os and is of a specific design to do just that. Maybe the original cable is long enough to route to the back if I take it out of the bundle they put it in. I'll have to sit and think on this one.

Do boards exist that have two USB 3.x connection points? I mean, that would solve things. Probably expensive if it exists, though.

 

[BogdanH]

Yes, most full ATX sized boards have two USB 3.x headers. I have MSI X470 Gaming Plus Max, which does have two headers:
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/X470-GAMING-PLUS-MAX/Gallery

However, if you're ready to pay a bit more, you should consider some of the recent B550 MSI motherboards, for example:
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-B550-GAMING-PLUS/Gallery
-which, beside standard USB 3.x header, also has USB-C header onboard (and you won't need adapter).
Or, if you prefer micro-ATX:
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-B550M-MORTAR/Gallery

Above I recommended MSI simply because most of MSI B550 boards do have USB-C header, where many other brands don't have it.
Anyway, I can really recommend X470 Gaming Plus Max (also having 3700X CPU) -not only because it's cheap:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY1J_L5qeIY