Question USB-C port question

[smalltech]

Hello,

I am checking if these 3 motherboards has usb-c port at the back of the pc case and if these motherboards allow usb-c connector at the front of pc case, please help me check if my findings (written below beside motherboard) are correct? I am not very sure if I understand the specifications correctly.

What is the difference between motherboard name that ends with WIFI vs WIFI II?

Thanks.

(no USB-C connector at the pc case back soldered on motherboard, no USB-C header for pc case front panel) ASUS PRIME B550M-A (WI-FI) https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/prime/prime-b550m-a-wi-fi/

(1 USB-C connector at the pc case back soldered on motherboard, no USB-C header for pc case front panel) ASUS TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS WIFI II https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/tuf-gaming/tuf-gaming-b550m-plus-wifi-ii/

(no USB-C connector at the pc case back soldered on motherboard, 1 USB-C header for pc case front panel) ASUS TUF GAMING A620M-PLUS WIFI https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/tuf-gaming/tuf-gaming-a620m-plus-wifi/

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Board 1 Junk, Barebones Minimum.

Board 2 is for AM4 processors.

Board 3 is for AM5 processors.

 

[smalltech]

Board 1 Junk, Barebones Minimum.

What cons or what is missing in this board?

 

[Lafong]

What is the difference between motherboard name that ends with WIFI vs WIFI II?

Go over the spec sheets with a fine-toothed comb....looking for differences.

Could be something like upgraded Bluetooth or wifi...

But....manufacturers might also add other features...possibly another M.2 port or superior memory support.

None of which may make any practical difference to you at all, but some people think that Wifi II must be "better" than Wifi, because newer is always better. Who wants to be stuck with antiquated technology?

Right?

 

[SyCoREAPER]

No USB-C, Bad heatsink and missing a sink for the top. Only plastic Pcie slot, other is metal reinforced. Overview site doesn't mention flashback, maybe the manual does but you can look for that.

I wouldn't even consider the first.

 

[35below0]

The B550M Plus supports one DP port, the B550A has a DSub instead.
It also has a faster ethernet port (2.5 GHz vs 1 GHz)
Bluetooth 5.2 vs 5.1
It has a better Realtek audio kit, though how much better is questionable.

I'll be switched if i can find any more. It is not junk. Only question to answer is do you need the extra features the better board offers. If you can use them and they're worth paying for, then buy the better one.

Throwing words like barebones minimum around is not helpful. That board is solid and nothing more.

 

[35below0]

Technically, they're all "junk" as none allow both a back and front USB-C port... Edit - well, maybe. None offer 3.2 gen 2 port + header

Why is it important to have a USB-C port at the rear of the case? As well as a header for the front panel?
The Gigabyte Aero models have both. Have a look.

 

[smalltech]

Why is it important to have a USB-C port at the rear of the case? As well as a header for the front panel?

I am just looking at the motherboard to see if I need a pc case with a USB-C front port, I am a noob so I may not read the specs correctly, not sure if the specs say USB-C is referring to the back USB-C or for front panel USB-C. If no USB-C header for pc case front I can buy a case without USB-C front port panel.

Are my findings written in brackets () beside each motherboard correct?

If no USB-C port, I think can just buy a USB-A male to USB-C female adapter to convert a USB-A port to USB-C port. I think it is ok if the motherboard does not have USB-C port.

 

[35below0]

The type C USB port on your computer case has to connect to a header on the motherboard via a cable. So you want the motherboard to have this header. Some cheaper boards do not have it.

On the other hand, motherboards have a bunch of USB ports on them, and these are at the back of your PC case once it is assembled and working. These ports are harder to reach but not impossible to use. If the motherboard has a C type USB, you can use that.

The difference is between a port that you can plug stuff into, and a header which is useless on it's own since it's on the motherboard inside the case. You need to connect a PC case USB port to it (the case will have the wire).

Some motherboards have both a header and a ready to use C type port. But if all you need is a modern USB C port, then it won't make much difference which one you use, and you probably won't need both a header and a port.
A header for the PC case panel is maybe more convenient, but otherwise it's the same thing.

Look for motherboards that have a Type-C USB 3.2 gen 2 port or header listed in their specs.

The B550M Plus has a gen 3.2 gen 2 port and a 3.2 gen 1 header.
The A620M Plus has a 3.2 gen 1 port and header.
The B550M-A i'm not really sure about. It does mention a 3.2 g1 connector. But i think it only has Type-A USB

 

[smalltech]

The B550M Plus supports one DP port, the B550A has a DSub instead.
It also has a faster ethernet port (2.5 GHz vs 1 GHz)
Bluetooth 5.2 vs 5.1
It has a better Realtek audio kit, though how much better is questionable.

What is the maximum fibre broadband speed that ethernet port 2.5 GHz, ethernet port 1 GHz support?

Can ethernet port 1GHz support 500Mbps and 1GB fibre broadband plan?

Correct me if I am wrong, it seems like Bluetooth 5.2 and 5.1 are same data transfer rate speed, 5.2 have some minor improvements over 5.1, source https://treblab.com/blogs/news/bluetooth-5-0-vs-bluetooth-5-1-vs-bluetooth-5-2

 

[smalltech]

Look for motherboards that have a Type-C USB 3.2 gen 2 port or header listed in their specs.

The B550M Plus has a gen 3.2 gen 2 port and a 3.2 gen 1 header.
The A620M Plus has a 3.2 gen 1 port and header.
The B550M-A i'm not really sure about. It does mention a 3.2 g1 connector. But i think it only has Type-A USB

B550M-A should have 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s)(2 x Type-A)

I saw these details
-------------------------
PRIME B550M-A (WI-FI)

USB Ports

Rear USB Port ( Total 6 )
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 port(s)(2 x Type-A)
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s)(4 x Type-A)

Front USB Port ( Total 6 )
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 port(s)(2 x Type-A)
4 x USB 2.0 port(s)(4 x Type-A)

source https://www.asus.com/motherboards-components/motherboards/prime/prime-b550m-a-wi-fi/techspec/

-------------------------
TUF GAMING B550M-PLUS WIFI II

USB

Rear USB:Total 8 ports
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (1 x Type-A + 1 x USB Type-C®)
4 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports (4 x Type-A)
2 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x Type-A)

Front USB:Total 6 ports
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports additional 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers support additional 4 USB 2.0 ports

source https://www.asus.com/motherboards-c...aming/tuf-gaming-b550m-plus-wifi-ii/techspec/
-------------------------

 

[35below0]

As to your original question, i think you want a 3.2 or 3.1 gen 2 Type-C port, or header.
That eliminates the B550M-A board as it seems to be Type-A USB only.
The B550M-Plus would support up to 2 USB Type-C ports on the PC case, if the case had those ports. The motherboard also has a USB Type-C port on the rear. So that is probably your choice then.

As for the ethernet port, yeah the faster speeds support faster internet connections but that is only useful if you actually have a fast internet plan. For example, i have a relatively slow connection, so a 10 Ghz ethernet port would be a waste of money.

As for Bluetooth, i don't know anything about it, i just listed the difference in specs between the boards.

 

[smalltech]

The B550M-Plus would support up to 2 USB Type-C ports on the PC case, if the case had those ports.

Seems like this is wrong, I see the specs I posted in #11 it does not say Front USB has Type-C

For my reference, 3.2 gen 2 (10Gbps) is double the transfer speed of 3.2 gen 1 (5Gbps), source https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/usb-30

-----
I guess if the front has USB-C for front panel it will say [USB Type-C], this the the 3rd motherboard, it says [1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) connector (supports USB Type-C®)]

ASUS TUF GAMING A620M-PLUS WIFI
Rear USB (Total 6 ports)
2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) ports (2 x Type-A)
4 x USB 2.0 ports (4 x Type-A)
Front USB (Total 7 ports)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) connector (supports USB Type-C®)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5G) header supports 2 additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
* USB Type-C® power delivery output: max. 5V/3A
source https://www.asus.com/motherboards-c...f-gaming/tuf-gaming-a620m-plus-wifi/techspec/

 

[35below0]

Seems like this is wrong, I see the specs I posted in #11 it does not say Front USB has Type-C

For my reference, 3.2 gen 2 (10Gbps) is double the transfer speed of 3.2 gen 1 (5Gbps) https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/usb-30

The port on the motherboard is 3.2 gen 2.
The header is for 3.2 gen 1. So yeah, you would not get the 10Gbps rate on your PC case ports with that motherboard. But you would with the rear port.
The A620M you listed in doesn't have gen 2 at all.

If you want gen 2 speed on the PC case USB-C port, look for a motherboard that has a 3.2 gen 2, or a 3.1 gen 2 header.

 

[Lafong]

For my reference, 3.2 gen 2 (10Gbps) is double the transfer speed of 3.2 gen 1 (5Gbps), source https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/usb-30

How often would you take advantage of gen 2 (10Gbps)?

An hour a day? A month?

What unrelated features would you give up if you chose the 10 Gbps board?

 

[smalltech]

How often would you take advantage of gen 2 (10Gbps)?

An hour a day? A month?

What unrelated features would you give up if you chose the 10 Gbps board?

I do not change my PC often. I plan to use it as long as possible so I guess more devices would use gen 2 (10Gbps) in the future, mainly use it to connect my phone to transfer files.

Can you tell me what unrelated features would I be missing if I chose the 10 Gbps board? I do not know what unrelated features am I giving up now if I chose the 10 Gbps board.

-----
I am guessing maybe in a few years time more devices will use USB 3.2 Gen 2 or USB-C. I read "With the arrival of USB 3.2, the industry-dominant USB-A connection was beginning to be phased out in favour of USB-C. Since USB-C supports higher data transfer speeds and can charge other peripheral devices faster, it has naturally become the main USB connector utilising USB 3.2 Gen 2." source https://www.kingston.com/en/usb-flash-drives/usb-30

 

[smalltech]

The A620M you listed in doesn't have gen 2 at all.

"The A620M you listed in doesn't have gen 2 at all." Glad you mentioned this, I will skip A620M. It is weird that the higher end model does not have gen 2.

 

[Lafong]

Can you tell me what unrelated features would I be missing if I chose the 10 Gbps board? I do not know what unrelated features am I giving up now if I chose the 10 Gbps board.

It's up to you to compare the feature list on any board under consideration.

There's virtually no chance the features would be absolutely identical.

So you'd gain feature X on a certain board, but lose feature Y.

Feature Y may be highly important or totally insignificant, depending on your use case.

Feature X may be highly important....for an hour a year or an hour a day. Some people would demand feature X even if an hour a year merely for fear of buyer's remorse.

Ultimately, you have to rank the importance of each feature since no board will have everything you might like. If you can't or won't do that, you are permanently stuck in indecision.

Unfortunately, your decision process will be subjected to all sorts of yammering from marketing departments as well as opinions from random people on the Internet.

 

[smalltech]

Bad heatsink and missing a sink for the top. Only plastic Pcie slot

What happens if it is bad heatsink and missing a sink for the top? (I am a noob so not too sure what will if affect. I have pc case intake fans blowing from the front would it be fine?)

What is the cons of plastic Pcie slot?

B550M-PLUS is it metal Pcie slot?

Thank you for pointing out these info. I am a noob I would never discover these differences.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Metal reinforced helps support the Pcie slot from the weight of your GPU. Only plastic isn't ideal because all that's holding it to the board are the pins in the connector and plastic welds, maybe if they didn't cheap out also two metal tabs but not to the extent of the metal shrouded on the second board. If that slot breaks, your motherboard is trash and maybe your GPU.

Fans alone usually aren't eniugh which is why you see them in the first place. Not having heatsink is a cost cutting measure.

The heatsink for the caps and not on VRMS could allow them to get hot and fail prematurely. Go on Google and look at VRM heatsink and you'll see exactly where to look on the second motherboard and why those are better.