UD7/USB3.0 and Front Panel

[obas]

I was thinking about buying a gigabyte board that has usb 3.0 on it. I noticed the connectors from usb 2.0 and the 3.0 appear to be the same. My question is if I buy a chase that only has usb 2.0 on the front of it will I be able to connect it to the usb 3.0 part of the board and get the 3.0 benefits?

[absic]

Hi there,

If the motherboard you are looking at is the GA-X58A-UD7 then the only USB 3 ports on the Mobo are the 2 on the back panel. As far as I know, there are no USB 3 headers actually on the motherboard for connection to a chassis only USB 2 headers.

[obas]

Thanks for the info. However, I can't remember what exact board it was on this site I was looking at but if it does have the mobo connectors does it get the benefits of 3.0?

[absic]

Hi,

From the information I can find the answer is no. USB3 has extra connectors that aren't on USB2 so, if you connect a USB2 device or header to USB3 port or header it will only work at USB2 speeds.

This site gives some info on USB3 that you might find helpful: http://www2.renesas.com/usb/en/about_usb/USB3_3.html

[Dark Mantis]

Absic is quite correct. The only USB3 ports available are on the back panel there is no way to connect up extra ones for the front panel. I am running this exact board myself.

[margaret]

The new standard usb 3.0 is physically and functionally backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1, and can support devices complying with older specifications. Plug in your old device and it also can work (at the older speed). But if plug a USB 3.0 device into a USB 2.0 interface, it will ran at a slower speed.Many motherboard in current market don't have usb 3.0,you can use a usb 3.0 front panel kit to enjoy the usb 3.0 speed.

[richardd43]

I have a UD5 in a Cooler Master HAF-X case.

The HAF-X has cables that run from the front USB connectors to the back of the board.

I do not sit here and admire the back of the case so the cables running out of the back of the case to the USB ports are no big deal.