Question usb 3.0 case front panel

[nicolodo]

USB headers/case

Hi I'm building a PC but I have a doubt about USB and the case/headers interface.

i have found various case that can be compatible with my needs BUT i have a big doubt.

In the spec of case is often reported a generic "front usb 3.0 port or front usb 3.0 type c port".
They don't specific if the A-sub port are USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 or USB 3.2 Gen 2x1, the same for usb-c port they don't specify "USB 3.2 Gen 1x2 or USB 3.2 Gen 2x2" .

Instead in the headers of mb is always indicated the usb GEN version.

From here my question:

If i connect the usb port of case generally referred to as USB 3.0 in the mb headers 19- pin (or Type E, it's the same) i will have the speed of usb spec on the header or not ?.

E.G
A case where it's spec is usb 3.2 gen 1x1, i connect the wires of case in the header of mb with the usb 3.2 gen 2x1 spec. I will have a speed of usb 3.2 gen 1x1 or gen 1x2 ?



I'm thinking that the producers of case Insert “random “ specifications of the usb 3 to appear better in the google seo search engine.

I don’t understand why the case producers not indicate the spec of their usb 3 port, maybe they are irrilevant?

Thx for the explanation.

 

[Aeacus]

In the spec of case is often reported a generic "front usb 3.0 port or front usb 3.0 type c port".

If it is listed as USB 3.0, then it is USB 3.0, regardless if it is type-A or type-C port. You still get USB 3.0 speeds of max 5 Gbps (625 MB/s).
If you like, you can name USB 3.0 as "USB 3.1 Gen 1" or "USB 3.2 Gen 1" if you so desire for fancier name, but in the end of the day, it still will be USB 3.0.

I don’t understand why the case producers not indicate the spec of their usb 3 port, maybe they are irrilevant?

They do list it, when USB port does match the speed of specific USB revision.

E.g Phanteks Enthoo Pro (stunning full-tower ATX case btw),
specs: https://phanteks.com/product/enthoo-pro-tg/#Specifications

Has clearly listed in the specs, that:
Front I/O
1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
2x USB 3.0
mic
reset
power

USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 = type-C port, with max speed of 10 Gbps (1250 MB/s or 1.2 GB/s)

They don't specific if the A-sub port are USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 or USB 3.2 Gen 2x1

USB type-A port can not be any faster than 5 Gbps (625 MB/s). This is the limit of type-A port. It can be named as "USB 3.1 Gen 1" or "USB 3.2 Gen 1" as well, but it still is just plain USB 3.0.

If you want faster speeds than 5 Gbps, then you have to have type-C port. Type-C port speeds can be: 5 Gbps, 10 Gbps, 20 Gbps and the latest (USB4) 40 Gbps.

If i connect the usb port of case generally referred to as USB 3.0 in the mb headers 19- pin (or Type E, it's the same) i will have the speed of usb spec on the header or not ?.

Internal USB 3.0 header, ending with 2x type-A ports, have the USB 3.0 speeds of 5 Gbps (625 MB/s).

A case where it's spec is usb 3.2 gen 1x1, i connect the wires of case in the header of mb with the usb 3.2 gen 2x1 spec. I will have a speed of usb 3.2 gen 1x1 or gen 1x2 ?

Speeds would be the max what USB port on PC case supports.
When MoBo internal type-C header is USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 = 10 Gbps
And when PC case type-C port is USB 3.2 Gen 1 = 5 Gbps
Then speeds will be 5 Gbps.

Btw, there is no such thing as USB 3.2 Gen 1x1.
Further reading: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/usb-3-2-explained

 

[nicolodo]

I think that you are missing one thing in your discussion.

A type A usb port can be USB 3.2 Gen 2x1. this is a port with a max bandwidth of 10gbps. You can check it also in the page of Wikipedia of usb 3.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0

So when the case producer indicates a generic usb 3.0 connection no one can know if it is gen 2x1 or gen 1x1, so if it have bandwidth of 5 or 10gbps.

Trust me many of the producers of case don’t indicate gen of type A port.

The speed of usb 3.0 type c port can be 10 or 20 gbps if they are respectively gen 1x2 or 2x2.

I know that this difference are Useless for most people but the difference for the front doors are for me fundamental for the use I have to make of it.

obviously the rear panel with usb port indicate with precision the gen version of usb 3.0

The problems are the spec of the usb of the case not the spec of mb.

I insert a little Summary table of port/version/speed of usb 3

https://imgur.com/a/PXWDqfo

View: https://imgur.com/a/PXWDqfo

 

[nicolodo]

I think that the front door usb 3 are generic because the bandwith and the relative gen version are useless because they are determinate from the header of mb.
In fact this port are passive hardware, and the port of usb 3 are the same for every version… is the clock and econding that determinate the gen version, but this is my Hypothesis, maybe I wrong, and maybe the wires of usb’s case are in some way Influential

 

[Aeacus]

A type A usb port can be USB 3.2 Gen 2x1. this is a port with a max bandwidth of 10gbps. You can check it also in the page of Wikipedia of usb 3.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_3.0

Those teal-colored type-A ports are very rare. I have yet to see one on front I/O of any PC case. And color coding type-A ports is a suggestion, rather than a requirement.

So when the case producer indicates a generic usb 3.0 connection no one can know if it is gen 2x1 or gen 1x1, so if it have bandwidth of 5 or 10gbps.

Trust me many of the producers of case don’t indicate gen of type A port.

USB 3.0 = 5 Gbps.

For it to be 2x1 (10 Gbps), the naming has to be USB 3.1. Just look the chart image you linked yourself. Type-A 10 Gbps port is named either: "USB 3.1", "USB 3.1 Gen2" or "USB 3.1 Gen 2x1" and should be teal-colored.


All-in-all, when in doubt, contact the PC case brand and ask them. Since after all, they made the PC case and they know the best.