Silly USB Question

EvilDoctorK

Okay this might be really dumb

So I buy a new Motherboard & Case

However what about USB (front and rear connections)

I know the motherboards state whether they support USB 2.0/1.1 etc. However what I want to know is about the actual physical connections - the sockets

Do most cases come with these (it doesn't seem to say so generally) .. I presume the motherboards don't sockets (as it would be kind of pointless having them inside the case!)

So am I right in saying that unless I purchase something like this ( http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=302363&cks=PRL ) I won't have any USB ports on my PC ?

What about Front Panel USB sockets ? - anyone recommend a part that sits in a drive bay / a case that has such included

BoB_BoT

i'm not 100% sure what you're trying to say,
but if you're talking about connecting front usb to your mainboard if your case has it, all you have to do is to wire it to the extra usb pins on the mainboard. It's the same kinda pins that connect your powerbuttons and reset switch. The manual for the mainboard will tell you where to put what pin on which connector.

EvilDoctorK

Thanks Bob Bot .. I guess that answers my question.. sorry for being unclear

Basically I was just wondering what I needed to get to get USB sockets on my PC ... So I guess I kind of answered my own question by saying that if you don't buy a USB (PCI) card or a case with in built USB sockets then there won't be any !

Thanks !

RicardoSmith

EvilDoctorK wrote:

Thanks Bob Bot .. I guess that answers my question.. sorry for being unclear

Basically I was just wondering what I needed to get to get USB sockets on my PC ... So I guess I kind of answered my own question by saying that if you don't buy a USB (PCI) card or a case with in built USB sockets then there won't be any !

Thanks !

You do know that the rear of the motherboard sticks out of the case at the back and the USB ports on the motherboard are accessible from there? Usually you'll have 2-4 ports on the motherboard and 1 or 2 headers that you can attach the connectors from the case which is likely to have at least 2 more ports on the front of the case.

Read any review of a motherboard and you'll see some photos of it.

koneko

There's ports on the back of the motherboard as Ricardo said, and you can always add more later with an add-in USB card (PCI), or with a USB hub.

If there's ports on the case you can generally connect those to the motherboard aswell. You'll generally have at least 2 on the back of the case (on the motherboard).

kinkstr

should the cable to connect the front usb to the motherboard come wit the case?

EvilDoctorK

Thanks RicardoSmith .. that's exactly what I wanted to know

I've only ever opened up machines to put cards in recently .. the last serious opening up and removing whole boards / taking apart I did with a PC dates back to an old 386 25mhz (or was it 20Mhz) ... I don't think USB was invented back then & I've no memory of board being accesible through the rear of the case (but my memory on it is very hazy) ... indeed of course now that I think of it surely it had to be somehow accessible for the keyboard controller etc. :eek:

RicardoSmith

kinkstr wrote:

should the cable to connect the front usb to the motherboard come wit the case?

Yes.

Some motherboards come with extra ports on a backplate that can use the headers. If the case doesn't have any.

A lot of motherboards have a non standard port layouts. So usually the backplate on a case is removeable and a custom plate comes with the motherboard.