Upgrading my mainboard from dell

[fireboy1]

I currently have a Dell XPS 8700 with a few upgrades and I want to replace the mainboard and case together.
I am currently running a sapphire R9 270 2gb graphics card with stock mainboard (micro-ATX) 0KWVT8 A03 with a i7-4770 @ 3.40GHz.
16gb of ram and a corsair CX850M PSU.
I have a total of 6 USB 3.0 ports (4 in back and 2 in front) and 4 USB 2.0 Ports (2 in back and 2 in front)
I would like to get as close to that USB configuration as I can but its not a must.
I would appreciate any suggestions, opinions, or help I can get.

 

[Shaun o]

well with most new motherboards you get at least four to 6 usb ports on the main back I/O panel of the motherboard.
The usb ports will include Usb 2.0 ports and Usb 3.0 ports depending on the price you pay for a new motherboard and it`s brand and model number.

The board, or most boards also include two or three internal header connections for extra usb ports supported by a bracket that can be fitted, or replace the blanking plates of the Pci, Pci-e slot ports of the case you buy.

And most new towers also come with two Usb 3.0 ports these days at the front of your new case along with the Audio out and In ports on the front of the case for Headset, or com`s input.
Just look at the listings of features for a motherboard on line it always lists how many usb ports are on the main I/O plate on the rear of a motherboard.
And how many internal usb header connections internal of the motherboard.

Here is an example. click bellow to look at the I/O listing of a motherboard.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-501-AS&groupid=701&catid=1903

Then it`s choose what brand and model number you want to buy.
And looking also what the spec list of a case is for external usb ports on the front of the tower.
Example of motherboard specs for you bellow.

Asus M5A97 R2.0 AMD 970 (Socket AM3+) DDR3 Motherboard

Back I/O Ports 1 x PS/2 keyboard (purple)
1 x PS/2 mouse (green)
1 x LAN (RJ45) port(s)
2 x USB 3.0
6 x USB 2.0
1 x Optical S/PDIF out
6 x Audio jack(s)
Internal I/O 3 x USB 2.0 connector(s) support(s) additional 6 USB 2.0 port(s)
1 x COM port(s) connector(s)

 

[fireboy1]

WOW!! I have a lot more to read and learn when it comes to building your own system. My apology's for answering so late we suffered a power outage in my home town that lasted for 3 days due to a substation blowing a transformer.
I can see this isn't going to be a simple see what you like and purchase it without doing some research for what will work with my system and what I can keep or transfer over to the new system.
Thank you a lot for the help. You explained it in a way I can understand and I actually learned some new things as well.