Question Some help understanding terminology please.

[Jerri1240]

After some advice as I’m a bit confused by it all tbh. I’m fine with the practical side of things but once it gets to names and ports etc I get confused.

I’m switching cases and would like to have front usb c.
I am either going to swap motherboards to one with a front USB header, get a PCIe adaptor, or use an adaptor on the existing header.

But I get confused with the various types and names of usb. 2, 3.1, 3.2 etc. Idiot question, can someone tell me which of those is USB-C? I almost bought a new motherboard the other day because I’d assumed the 3.2 header was usb c. Thankfully I read a comment that mentioned the lack of usb c, if I hadn’t I’d have wasted £90.

Last question, I have the following motherboard

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/B450M-DS3H-rev-1x#kf

Am I correct in thinking my motherboard has two front usb headers so I could use one for the front usb a and use an adaptor on the second to add the usb c functionality?

Sorry for the idiot questions but I’d rather just ask for help to learn, than waste money on the wrong thing.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[scout_03]

this usb c connector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C what is the name and model of your case since this connector sfemale parts should be in front of case ,the 3.0 and over is the new usb device connector .

 

[Jerri1240]

this usb c connector https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C what is the name and model of your case since this connector sfemale parts should be in front of case ,the 3.0 and over is the new usb device connector .

I haven’t bought the case yet. But probably the Corsair 4000d or the fractal pop air.

Sorry, what I meant was, when looking for a motherboard or adaptor what would it be called? Say if I’m on PC part picker what header so I select to be sure the motherboard has USB C header?

I assume this would be suitable?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B156WMGC

Leaning towards that as my system does all I need right now so don't really want to buy a new motherboard until I upgrade to AM5.

 

[scout_03]

could work i also find this https://www.amazon.ca/19Pin-Header-...+front+panel+card,electronics,114&sr=1-5&th=1 so made sure you have the case before buying the adaptor also do you next board would be itx or atx for case choice .

 

[Jerri1240]

could work i also find this https://www.amazon.ca/19Pin-Header-Front-Adapter-Windows/dp/B09GKLN7RT/ref=sr_1_5?crid=XNW9LPM1PZHJ&keywords=usb+c+internal+front+panel+card&qid=1674321275&s=electronics&sprefix=usb+c+internal+front+panel+card,electronics,114&sr=1-5&th=1 so made sure you have the case before buying the adaptor also do you next board would be itx or atx for case choice .

Can I ask why my next board should be itx or atx?

 

[BogdanH]

You didn't say which case you plan to buy.. but if the case will have front USB C connector, then it will most probably also have two USB 3.0 (and two USB 2.0) connectors:

Your motherboard (your first post) only has USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connector (single USB 3.0 connector on motherboard is connecting two USB 3.0 ports on front panel). In short, on motherboard, there's no additional connector for USB C on front panel.
What can you do?
One of the options is, you buy USB 3.0 to USB C adapter:

-in this case however you won't have working USB 3.0 ports on front panel (because it's used for USB C port).
This solution is only good if there are two USB 3.0 connectors on motherboard (I use this solution on my MSI x470 motherboard).

Next solution is, you buy PCIe card which has internal USB (3.0 or USB C) connector. But there might be a problem, because front panel USB cables probably won't be long enough all the way to PCIe card.

Best solution is: buy a motherboard which has either two USB 3.0 connectors (and use adapter) or has dedicated USB C connector.

 

[drea.drechsler]

Can I ask why my next board should be itx or atx?

FYI: your current motherboard, the B450m-DS3H i believe, is mATX and will not fit an ITX case. It will fit an ATX case but it's going to be a bit small in it.

 

[Jerri1240]

You didn't say which case you plan to buy.. but if the case will have front USB C connector, then it will most probably also have two USB 3.0 (and two USB 2.0) connectors:

Your motherboard (your first post) only has USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 connector (single USB 3.0 connector on motherboard is connecting two USB 3.0 ports on front panel). In short, on motherboard, there's no additional connector for USB C on front panel.
What can you do?
One of the options is, you buy USB 3.0 to USB C adapter:

-in this case however you won't have working USB 3.0 ports on front panel (because it's used for USB C port).
This solution is only good if there are two USB 3.0 connectors on motherboard (I use this solution on my MSI x470 motherboard).

Next solution is, you buy PCIe card which has internal USB (3.0 or USB C) connector. But there might be a problem, because front panel USB cables probably won't be long enough all the way to PCIe card.

Best solution is: buy a motherboard which has either two USB 3.0 connectors (and use adapter) or has dedicated USB C connector.

Thanks, I did in my second post. Either the fractal pop air (problem being the usb c cable is OOS everywhere as is the case colour I’d prefer), or the Corsair 4000D (ideally I’d like 2x front usb a snd this only has one which is why I haven’t ordered that).

I really appreciate the advice. Which brings me to the original question. Say I’m on pc part picker, what do I tick to make sure the board has a front usb c header. There listed as 3.2x2 etc and in all honesty I don’t know which is which.

I’m reluctant to buy a new board right now as besides the USB C the system does everything I need. And I plan to upgrade to AM5 in 12-18 months, so don’t really want to get another AM4 board right now. But, if that’s the best option then so be it.

FYI: your current motherboard, the B450m-DS3H i believe, is mATX and will not fit an ITX case. It will fit an ATX case but it's going to be a bit small in it.

I checked both cases I am looking at can take an mATX board so thankfully that should be okay.

 

[BogdanH]

...Say I’m on pc part picker, what do I tick to make sure the board has a front usb c header. There listed as 3.2x2 etc and in all honesty I don’t know which is which...

You just need a motherboard photo and look if it has necessary connectors or you download manual of particular motherboard and check there -but I think looking at photo is faster (once you know what you search for).
Here's a photo which shows both connectors:

Black connector (center left) is USB 3.0 and the one next to it (silver) is USB C. That is, you either need these two connectors, or two USB 3.0 connectors (+adapter).
Keep in mind, that the speed on both connectors is usually the same (only different connectors on front panel are used).

If you already think to upgrade to AM5 in near future, then just don't bother about motherboard right now. Just connect USB 3.0 ports only and if necessary, use external USB-A to USB-C adapter:

 

[Jerri1240]

You just need a motherboard photo and look if it has necessary connectors or you download manual of particular motherboard and check there -but I think looking at photo is faster (once you know what you search for).
Here's a photo which shows both connectors:

Black connector (center left) is USB 3.0 and the one next to it (silver) is USB C. That is, you either need these two connectors, or two USB 3.0 connectors (+adapter).
Keep in mind, that the speed on both connectors is usually the same (only different connectors on front panel are used).

If you already think to upgrade to AM5 in near future, then just don't bother about motherboard right now. Just connect USB 3.0 ports only and if necessary, use external USB-A to USB-C adapter:

Thank you. Really appreciate the reply.

I’ve got several of those adaptors and I tend to just lose them.

I’ll grab a PCIe adaptor and hopefully that will do the trick until I upgrade.