Front USB case modding

[chrisr34000]

Hello everybody,

I recently did a system upgrade, but kept my old Nanoxia Deep Silence v1 case because I consider it to be quite reasonable overall and I didn't want to go over my budget. The only thing that bothers me about the case is the I / O panel (2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0 and front audio):

This can be lowered into the housing by pressing it and then the case looks like this:

I would like to replace the I / O panel and get one that either has 4+ USB 3.X sockets or possibly a combination with a USB-C port. Now I'm wondering where I can find a suitable I / O panel and whether it's so easy to install. Do you have any ideas or experiences in this regard? I've tried Nanoxia support, but they don't answer. It's a shame, actually.

Edit: The I/O Panel seems to be 14 cm x 3 cm. Do you know any modules which fit this size?

 

[maxfly]

Youll likely have to pull out the usb2 ports and install usb3 ports individually.

 

[chrisr34000]

Youll likely have to pull out the usb2 ports and install usb3 ports individually.

I did not think of this. Are you aware of any tutorials / guides on this? Is it easy to do? Can I buy stand-alone USB ports with cable connectors?

 

[maxfly]

No i cant say that i know of any tutorials. im pretty sure you can get the usb3 ports with wires on amazon.

 

[Caring1]

Your Motherboard will have to support the extra USB3 ports.

 

[maxfly]

Yep, youll need a splitter. I dont know if there are internal splitters that would work or if you would have to mod a rear bracket splitter.

 

[chrisr34000]

Your Motherboard will have to support the extra USB3 ports.

I have a Tomahawk X570 WiFI with three USB3 connectors.

 

[utilizedamplitude]

I was thinking of doing this too. USB3 and C can be bought on amazon or ebay.

Plenty of videos on youtube with people modding it into cases.

Amazon.com : usb front panel upgrade cable

 

[silentbogo]

The only thing that bothers me about the case is the I / O panel (2x USB 2.0, 2x USB 3.0 and front audio):

Why does it bother you? Two 2.0 ports for all of your wireless keyboards/mice and phones(most of which are still stuck with 2.0 bandwidth). Two 3.0 ports for flash drives etc. That's the best combo you can ever wish for.
Regarding your original question: you don't need to replace the flip-up panel. If anything,I doubt you can, since it probably has those ports mounted on a PCB.
What you can do, is install a 5.25" expansion bay with as many ports as you want. There are many options, from USB3.0+Cardreader combo to full-fledged rheobus with built-in USB expansion, or even a big-ass hubs like this one:

7 Port USB 3.0 5.25" Internal CD-ROM Bay Front Panel USB Hub,7 x USB 3.0 Type A Female to Motherboard USB 20 pin Hub Splitter Adapter w/ 5.25 inch Metal Bracket - Newegg.com

Buy 7 Port USB 3.0 5.25" Internal CD-ROM Bay Front Panel USB Hub,7 x USB 3.0 Type A Female to Motherboard USB 20 pin Hub Splitter Adapter w/ 5.25 inch Metal Bracket with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

The only thing you need to remember, is if your motherboard does not have a second USB3.0 header, you may also need to buy a USB3.0 controller card. Either a dual-port with only an internal header, or a quad-port with 2 rear outputs and one internal header.
Just an example:

Super Speed PCI Express to Dual 20 Pin USB 3.0 Controller Card PCI-E X1 to 2 Ports USB 3.0 Header With Low Profile Bracket - Newegg.com

Buy Super Speed PCI Express to Dual 20 Pin USB 3.0 Controller Card PCI-E X1 to 2 Ports USB 3.0 Header With Low Profile Bracket with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

Now that you know what to look for, just scroll around the internet and choose whichever combo fits your needs. There are much cheaper options around, I've simply posted the first ones I came around.
I normally do this kind of stuff when upgrading old PCs in my workshop, and something like a generic USB controller along with decent 3.5" expansion costs no more than $25 all together in my area.

You can even try finding something like this:

Amazon.com

Basically a ready combo of PCIe riser with a quad-port host controller mounted in a 5.25" bay.

I mean, if opening and closing a front chassis door doesn't bother you, you can have as many USB3.0 or Type-C ports as you like.

 

[chrisr34000]

Why does it bother you? Two 2.0 ports for all of your wireless keyboards/mice and phones(most of which are still stuck with 2.0 bandwidth). Two 3.0 ports for flash drives etc. That's the best combo you can ever wish for.
Regarding your original question: you don't need to replace the flip-up panel. If anything,I doubt you can, since it probably has those ports mounted on a PCB.

Very good question. The problem is that I cannot get the two USB 2.0 ports to work. I've tried this with two different mainboards. Same result. The blue USB 3.0 are working fine, whereas the black USB 2.0 do not.

The USB 2.0 layout of the case is as follows:

The connector on the mainboard has this layout:

I've connected the front USB connector of the case to two different mainboards, but it doesn't seem to work. Do you have any idea what I could try or what I am doing wrong?

Your suggestion with the USB front bay is good, but my case has a front panel which I would always have to open to access the bay:

This is sort of a hassle, so I would want to avoid this.

 

[silentbogo]

If there is a connector on the panel side, it could be as simple as disconnected cable. Probably pulled a bit too hard, and it popped off.
Or (less likey) you have a defective USB2.0 cable. Just remove the top panel, and look if USB2.0 cable is connected to that flip-up PCB.
If you have a multimeter - check continuity. Cables can be fixed or replaced, no problem. Worst case scenario - Nanoxia sells replacement parts on their website.

Deep Silence Top Panel

The Deep Silence top panels are equipped with an I/O-panel that can be found on the top cover. A practical sliding lid makes it possible to hide the connectors when they are not needed. The top cover also holds the unique “Active Air Chimney” for effective, active case ventilation. The Chimney...

www.nanoxiausa.com

That's probably why newer revisions only have a sliding USB cover, and fixed I/O panel. Could be a common issue with v1.

 

[chrisr34000]

If there is a connector on the panel side, it could be as simple as disconnected cable. Probably pulled a bit too hard, and it popped off.
Or (less likey) you have a defective USB2.0 cable. Just remove the top panel, and look if USB2.0 cable is connected to that flip-up PCB.
If you have a multimeter - check continuity. Cables can be fixed or replaced, no problem. Worst case scenario - Nanoxia sells replacement parts on their website.

Deep Silence Top Panel

The Deep Silence top panels are equipped with an I/O-panel that can be found on the top cover. A practical sliding lid makes it possible to hide the connectors when they are not needed. The top cover also holds the unique “Active Air Chimney” for effective, active case ventilation. The Chimney...

www.nanoxiausa.com

That's probably why newer revisions only have a sliding USB cover, and fixed I/O panel. Could be a common issue with v1.

Thanks so very much for your post. I wasn't aware that you can pull the top so easily off. I did this and checked the cable, but the USB2.0 cable is soldered on, so there is nothing I can check here (I have no multimeter). Just by looking at it, I did not notice anything wrong with it.

Also thank you for the link to the top panel. I actually did check Nanoxia's Worldwide site (which comes first when you google "Nanoxia" from Germany) and the panel was not listed there. I'll try to get a replacement module. Thank you so very much again!!!