Using the USB 3.0 headers on the P67A boards / NH-D14 Question

[quixotic68]

Thanks to advice from Dark Mantis (thanks!),  I have reconsidered my new PC's components and will now be going with a GA-P67A-UD7 as my mobo.  It made sense to step down my processor expectations a tiny bit in order to get more standardized USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0Gbps options.  A couple questions regarding the USB 3.0, though...

#1. Are the two USB 3.0 headers on the mobo standardized?

#2. Is anyone using them yet?  If so, how?  Does any PC case with USB 3.0 ports out front have cables to connect to the headers yet?  If not, are there any drive bay insert options that plug into the headers?

On a side note, is anyone using a Noctua NH-D14 on this board?  Does it obscure the memory slots at all?

Thanks for the info!

[soarwitheagles]

Thanks to advice from Dark Mantis (thanks!),  I have reconsidered my new PC's components and will now be going with a GA-P67A-UD7 as my mobo.  It made sense to step down my processor expectations a tiny bit in order to get more standardized USB 3.0 and SATA 6.0Gbps options.  A couple questions regarding the USB 3.0, though...

#1. Are the two USB 3.0 headers on the mobo standardized?

#2. Is anyone using them yet?  If so, how?  Does any PC case with USB 3.0 ports out front have cables to connect to the headers yet?  If not, are there any drive bay insert options that plug into the headers?

On a side note, is anyone using a Noctua NH-D14 on this board?  Does it obscure the memory slots at all?

Thanks for the info!

Hi quixotic68 and welcome to the forum.

My understanding is the USB headers on the MB are standardized for USB3 [more wires than USB 2].
 
Coolmaster has the Haf X with the USB front ports here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119225&cm_re=haf_x-_-11-119-225-_-Product

I believe it comes with the cables included [see the pics please].

Also, many vendors have begun to market the USB 3 front panels.  Two weeks ago there were very limited selections.  Now there are myriads of selections!

Here's a SilverStone USB3 front panel with the cable included:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817997021&cm_re=usb3_front_panel-_-17-997-021-_-Product

Hope this helps!

I cannot help you on the Noctua NH-D14.  It is a great CPU cooler but way too big and heavy for my preferences.  I like Corsair's water cooled H70.

BTW, you chose a very, very nice motherboard!

Soar

[JakeF150]

The Haf-X has USB 3 cables (blue) but they do not hook up to any header, just to normal usb 3 plugs. 
I have mine going out back (as many have seen) and hooked to the ports on the UD5 board out back.

[Dark Mantis]

This is not too unusual at the moment and I think the manufacturers do it this way for people wioth motherboards that have USB3 but only on the back panel. I suppose you could alter them to take an internal plug but it would mean getting the soldering iron out.