Motherboard only has one USB header, i need possibly four! can I use a splitter cable?

[Desktopstu]

Hi all,

My current motherboard, a B560 Steel Legend has just one USB header plug on the motherboard... Just one! I really need at least two for my iCUE connections and it would be nice to have 4 as I have two front USB headers. I dont really use the front USB headers that much as I also have USB3 ones but they are there and it would be nice to have them working. What a daft idea to just have one USB header???

I see that there are USB splitter cables on Amazon, ive never used these before but im wary due to an issue I had on an AM3+ RoG board I had where the USB header surround on the motherboard literally caught fire while I was charging my phone from the fromt USB! lesson learned! My concern is if I split the USB header will I drag too much juice from it and cause damage to the board?

Incidentally the RoG board amazingly survived the fire- and it really was a fire with flames and smoke. You never saw such a fast shut manual down! First I knew about it was the top exhast fan on the case was chucking out smoke and a flickering light in the case.

 

[Assimilator]

Are you talking about USB 2.0, 3.0, or 3.1 header?

Also, why not just use a USB cable from one of the rear USB ports to the front of the case?

 

[meatwar]

The issue is not the splitting headers but the power deliverance for the total of devices you're going to connect, so those simple cable splitters on certain requirements are not the correct option.
In those cases you need a PCIe card with dedicated headers.

USB hardware - Wikipedia

Excluding the common PCIe cards with ports type-A

There's plenty solutions in various ways... some internal PCIe/HUB headers examples
USB 2.0 PCIe card with 3 internal ports incl. LP bracket (NEC) | Interface cards | Categories | Exsys Online Shop EN (exsys-shop.de)
Kolink Internal USB Hub - 60cm USB Cable | OcUK (overclockers.co.uk)
Internal USB HUB (Gen 3) | PC Component | Gaming PCs | NZXT

 

[Keullo-e]

I would get a cheap USB3.0 PCIe card.

 

[SL2]

Sorry if I'm being obvious here, but:

From manual:

 

[Desktopstu]

The issue is not the splitting headers but the power deliverance for the total of devices you're going to connect, so those simple cable splitters on certain requirements are not the correct option.
In those cases you need a PCIe card with dedicated headers.

USB hardware - Wikipedia

Excluding the common PCIe cards with ports type-A

There's plenty solutions in various ways... some internal PCIe/HUB headers examples
USB 2.0 PCIe card with 3 internal ports incl. LP bracket (NEC) | Interface cards | Categories | Exsys Online Shop EN (exsys-shop.de)
Kolink Internal USB Hub - 60cm USB Cable | OcUK (overclockers.co.uk)
Internal USB HUB (Gen 3) | PC Component | Gaming PCs | NZXT

You know what? i had not even considered add on cards! Thank you, and to Keullo-e who suggested the same.

Sometimes the easiest and most obvious solutions are invisible till someone points them out.

 

[Keullo-e]

You know what? i had not even considered add on cards! Thank you, and to Keullo-e who suggested the same.

Sometimes the easiest and most obvious solutions are invisible till someone points them out.

No problem, nice to be helpful.

 

[Desktopstu]

Sorry if I'm being obvious here, but:
View attachment 346992
From manual:
View attachment 346994

Yeah theres a USB 3 header and one internal USB 2 header. Most boards have at least two.

I need two USB 2 internal pin headers for the iCUE - one to connect the PSU one for the cpu AIO cooler. Another two would be handy for the front panel USB2s, not that I really use them but if they are there I like them to work.

 

[Keullo-e]

Yeah theres a USB 3 header and one internal USB 2 header. Most boards have at least two.

I need two USB 2 internal pin headers for the iCUE - one to connect the PSU one for the cpu AIO cooler. Another two would be handy for the front panel USB2s, not that I really use them but if they are there I like them to work.

I have a worse situation, my case has only one USB3-A connector and my mobo doesn't support the C connector which my case has. Damn.

Luckily I have a 4-port USB3 hub on my monitor so it gives me some help with the USBs.

 

[SL2]

Sorry, I didn't follow at all, I thought you said you only had one.

My current motherboard, a B560 Steel Legend has just one USB header plug on the motherboard... Just one!

 

[Desktopstu]

Are you talking about USB 2.0, 3.0, or 3.1 header?

Also, why not just use a USB cable from one of the rear USB ports to the front of the case?

USB 2. nine pin header on the motherboard.

Sorry, I didn't follow at all, I thought you said you only had one.

Its fine, its got a single 9 pin header that apparently can have two inputs. However Im wary of putting a splitter on the one plug due to what happened to my old RoG board. The NZXT hub idea seems a good plan as that has seperate power provided through a SATA cable and splits the one USB header to a further 4 for the grand sum of £20.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08L8VJS3Z/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&th=1

 

[Random_User]

Sorry, for my input.

People already gave the proper answers. IMHO, the best way, is to get separate USB extension card, in case if there are unused/unobstructed PCIE slots. since it gives the several separate USB outputs directly from the PCIE lanes, instead of splitter, which just obviously splits the signal. The USB hub is indeed more reliable solution, but it can add up the price.

As for splitters, I'm not so sure. If one is decent, it might be fine, even if it is required not only for powering, but for significant data flow as well. Some are garbage, and can cause disconnects/interrupts, and are completely unusable with certain racing gear, especially Logitech G series wheel bases. But these are probably old news, and I doubt there are many bad USB 2.0 splitters left on the market. Modern USB hubs should be fine.

Otherwise, just put all what can be put on internal USB 3+, and use the available USB 2.0 for iCUE.

Spoiler

Definitely not my business, but honesly, if RGB is causing such "discomfort", wouldn't it be better to drop it off.

Edit: Sorry for a bit of offtop and rant. Liwer tier motherboards were always missing many features. These aren't news.
However, as about motherboards lacking connectivity and features overall... Just wait couple more years, or even months, and the MB manufacturers go completely nuts. The current gen MBs, especially of AMD, get so savage, that just barebones, cost couple hundred bucks. Heck, the previous A*20/B*50 boards had more features and connectivity, then some current B650, or even X670. This is mayhem. It would be great, if MB makers would return to their senses, and fix their cr*p for the next B*50/X*70 chipsets. But I don't hold my breath. It seems these guys won't stop their sh*t until being seriously jaded by consumers, and maybe the chipset makers thenselves.

Spoiler

And if someone wants some decent MB, akin to Unify, then this feature set is sadly heading towards one grand. And it's basically has a tiny fraction of options, the almost similarly priced MB for Threadripper HEDT CPU.
I understand, that power and reset buttons on the board is not necessary feature. But many boads don't even have troubleshooting options (like seven segment display), that cost maximum couple bucks. Also, the artificial segmentation is so ridiculous, that even PCBs, have been cheapened so much, for every class, except the very top and most expensive ones.