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USB 3.1 Front Panel Box w/ USB 3.1 cable exist?

soochinator
Level 8
I have a Maximus IX Code mobo w/ a USB 3.1 front panel header that's (at this point) seemingly worthless. I see ASUS has developed USB 3.1 (Type A & C) 5.25" panel boxes w/ SATAe internal connection, but has any mfr developed a front panel with a USB 3.1 internal connection? I'm looking for a 3.5" front panel to fit in my 5.25" Icy Dock dual 2.5" SSD & 3.5" bay mounting adapter and plug into the USB 3.1 front panel header. Ideally I'd like one with both Type C & A, but either one would satisfy me. Is the 3.5" form factor possible or is USB 3.1 somehow limited to 5.25" panel boxes?

I have a be quiet! Dark Base Pro 900 case and am not interested in replacing it with a different case that has native front panel USB 3.1. I'm very happy with the rear USB 3.1 Type A & C support on the Code, but would really like the convenience of a front panel connection.

I read this post: https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?90648-USB-3-1-header-on-Z270-Motherboards-What-cable-do-yo... where someone found a proper USB 3.1 header cable online and modified their case to mount the Type C connector, so I suppose that's one possibility (although I'd really like the convenience of two connectors). Here is the cable: http://www.lian-li.com/en/dt_portfolio/pw-ic01nh45/

This is what I'm looking for, but w/ USB 3.1 instead of 3.0: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboard-Accessory/Front_Panel_USB_30_Box/

edit: I would really appreciate a response from ASUS as to whether they are planning to produce a product like this. Thanks!
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davemon50
Level 11
Yeah, it's a bit ahead of its time, future proofed, lol not that anything is future proofed in computer tech. I know it's not 3.1, it's 3.0 but I use this one pretty successfully off the 3.0 header on the board. You have to have a case slot for it.

https://www.atechflash.com/pro-77u

All of the 3.1 solutions seem to be external, similar to how all the 3.0 solutions were pretty much external 5 years ago.
Davemon50

haha It's about as future proof as you can get considering that as of now there's only one company I've found with a cable that uses the header.

If that company releases a cable that splits from one 3.1 header to two Type A or C ends, I may end up buying a 3.5" dual USB 3.0 front panel off Amazon and swapping the cables. If the screw holes don't line up, epoxy will do the job just fine. Attached pics for reference.

soochinator wrote:
haha It's about as future proof as you can get considering that as of now there's only one company I've found with a cable that uses the header.

If that company releases a cable that splits from one 3.1 header to two Type A or C ends, I may end up buying a 3.5" dual USB 3.0 front panel off Amazon and swapping the cables. If the screw holes don't line up, epoxy will do the job just fine. Attached pics for reference.


I have the exact same thing! Works like a dream 😉
CPU-i7 7700k @ 4.2Ghz
Graphics-Zotac Amp! Extreme 1080 Ti
Motherboard-Asus ROG Strix Z270F Gaming
Memory-16gb G.Skill Trident Z Series DDR4 3866MHz
Working hard at our web design studio in London - https://www.omdesign.co.uk/

davemon50
Level 11

I have the ASUS Maximus IX Code mobo, so I have USB 3.1 (A & C) on the I/O panel. No need for any additional around back.

JimBob_SF
Level 7
@soochinator, perfect question and I've found a similar lack of front-mounted solutions. I found three types of front mounted 3.1 ports. I got a Maximus IX Hero for the 3.1 header, and it looks like i'm going to wait a bit.

1. Built into the case (not many out there yet)
2. Dual port cards like the ones in this thread
3. Full 5.25 solutions and there's only two that I was remotely interested int.
a. Kingwin multi-function: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K0RPTN0/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I280F6DH80L442&colid=3ACQ1U2U2MXLJ
b. Asus kit (just a creative solution to put a full card in a 5.25 bay): https://www.asus.com/Motherboard-Accessory/USB-31-FRONT-PANEL/

Personally, if I'm going to add a front panel solution, I'll look to kill as many birds as I can. The Kingwin-type solution is what I'll wait a bit to see more options pop up. The funny thing is that the Kingwin is kinda vague on how it connects to a 3.1 header like in the latest ROG boards.

soochinator
Level 8
Unfortunately the Kingwin 5.25 unit you linked to connects via USB 3.0 header, so while it has one Type C port, it will only operate at a maximum speed of 5gbps. The ASUS 5.25 unit connects via SATAe, which isn't on the IX Code. I guess we'll all just continue the waiting game for proper solutions.

davemon50
Level 11
It's basically the same as the Atech Flash one I mentioned and use above. 5.25" front panel solution but only 3.0 header connection not 3.1. Kind of what's available today.
Davemon50

sdmf74
Level 11
subbed
ASUS Maximus 13 Hero, Intel I9 11900k, EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 FTW3 ULTRA