Internal USB 3.1 header to USB3.0 Conversion

moproblems99 · May 26, 2020

Greetings,

My motherboard only has 1 internal USB 3.0 header but my case has 4 front panel usb3 ports driven off of two separate headers - needless to say, I would like to get the other two working. I do have an internal USB3.1 header that is currently unused and figured there must be an adapter to make all this work. However, the only thing I have found is this:

https://www.amazon.com/Goliton-Fron...s=usb3+header+splitter&qid=1590454136&sr=8-18

But only one of the two ports will function. There must be a way to get both of them working as 3.1 has double the bandwidth anyway. The only other thing I could really find was something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WG8ZJ4...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

But this is going in the wrong direction. Does my GoogleFu just suck tonight?

Mussels · May 26, 2020

honestly i've looked a dozen times before, and never found one until what you just listed

moproblems99 · May 26, 2020

Mussels said:
honestly i've looked a dozen times before, and never found one until what you just listed

I looked around 6 months ago but didn't spend a lot of time with it. I am confused why the splitters seem to only allow one port to work. USB2 never had a problem with this. Double confused why there doesn't seem to be a way to split the usb3.1.

Mussels · May 26, 2020

Ugh, one of those would be perfect for my VR rig, but of course they dont ship to aus (its got 2x 3.0 headers, case has 2x 3.0 and 1x type c)

i think there was no official standard for this? it seems odd

right... as soon as i put "a-key" in, the results pop up. interesting.

Assimilator · May 26, 2020

Seems like the only adapters for this are all old ones that came out before the front panel connector was actually documented at https://usb.org/sites/default/files/USB3p1_Front_Panel_CabCon_Implment_Doc_Rev1p1.pdf

ModDIY has one that goes the opposite way https://www.moddiy.com/products/USB...SB-3.1-Type-C-Front-Panel-Header-Adapter.html which they make themselves - since (I assume) that going the other way is trivial, I'd suggest contacting them to ask if they can make one for you.

TheLostSwede · May 26, 2020

Sorry, but the USB 3.1 connectors only support ONE port, not two like the older USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 headers.
The headers have two rows of pins, one for each port. All the USB 3.1 board connectors to date appears to only support a single port, as I'm not aware of a single motherboard that can do more than one per connector and I haven't seen any boards with two internal USB 3.1 connectors as yet. I presume it has something to do with the reversible nature of USB-C.
So there's no simple way to get two ports to function out of one port, without having a USB hub built into the adaptor.

I'm also not sure if there's more than one type of internal connector, as only Asus and Gigabyte provide the actual pin-out, which at least on recent boards, are the same between the two.

Edit: I did find this though, so it seems like it might be possible to split the USB 3.1 header after all, but it doesn't quite make sense to me.

20-Pin A-Key Male & USB 2.0 Header to USB 3.0 20Pin Male Header Adapter Cable - 10cm

【Secure Connection】 LINKUP patented housed Type E connector provides secure connection and consistent performance w/ USB 2.0 header connector

linkup.one

Seems to be cheaper on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/LINKUP-Internal-20-Pin-Connector-Extension/dp/B07Y5KTGSZ

Assimilator · May 26, 2020

@TheLostSwede I believe you are correct. If you look at page 19 of the PDF I linked https://usb.org/sites/default/files/USB3p1_Front_Panel_CabCon_Implment_Doc_Rev1p1.pdf, which shows the actual 3.1 header pinout, it shows only a single set of D+/D- pins. But USB requires a set of those pins per connector, therefore the 20-pin 3.1 header can only ever support a single connector regardless of bandwidth.

Note also this comment on page 21 (emphasis mine):

This will allow a common motherboard design to support either a USB Type-C or a Standard-A port on the front panel for the DIY (do-it-yourself) market.

Pretty unambiguous IMO: a USB Type-C connector is, quite simply, not electrically compatible with 2x USB Type-A connectors. Bummer.

I don't know what that LINKUP connector is doing (BTW that specific one is not available anywhere except their website), but I suspect it's snake oil due to the physical single port limitation of the Type-C Key-A header as discussed above. My guess is that it's targeted at people who don't know that USB is backwards compatible.

bonehead123 · May 26, 2020

lookie here:
I recently bought one of these cards for my nephew's upcoming new build that has the same situation, so I have my fingers crossed that it will solve the issue for him...

Amazon.com: PCI-E X1 to 2 Ports 19 Pin USB 3.0 Header PCI Express to Dual 20 Pin USB 3.0 Card : Electronics

Buy PCI-E X1 to 2 Ports 19 Pin USB 3.0 Header PCI Express to Dual 20 Pin USB 3.0 Card: USB Port Cards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Although this won't get you 3.1, it will get you 2x 20 pin 3.0 connectors so you can connect both of your front panel headers and get all 4 front panel ports working

moproblems99 · May 26, 2020

bonehead123 said:
lookie here:
I recently bought one of these cards for my nephew's upcoming new build that has the same situation, so I have my fingers crossed that it will solve the issue for him...

Amazon.com: PCI-E X1 to 2 Ports 19 Pin USB 3.0 Header PCI Express to Dual 20 Pin USB 3.0 Card : Electronics

Buy PCI-E X1 to 2 Ports 19 Pin USB 3.0 Header PCI Express to Dual 20 Pin USB 3.0 Card: USB Port Cards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Although this won't get you 3.1, it will get you 2x 20 pin 3.0 connectors so you can connect both of your front panel headers and get all 4 front panel ports working

I thought about one of those. I am somewhat surprised the x570 Taichi only has one internal header. I am also surprised there isn't an active board (seeing as how the pinout allows only one port) to split a USB 3.1 header into 3.0.

Dirtypants · May 26, 2020

Bought this and confirmed working for my wife's computer, shes using a Asus ROG Strix Z370-I Gaming in a In Win A1 Plus

Motherboard USB 3.1 Header 20Pin Male to Motherboard USB 3.0 Header 19Pin Male Connector Converter Adapter Extension Cable Black 30cm - Newegg.com

Buy Motherboard USB 3.1 Header 20Pin Male to Motherboard USB 3.0 Header 19Pin Male Connector Converter Adapter Extension Cable Black 30cm with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.ca

newtekie1 · May 26, 2020

moproblems99 said:
Double confused why there doesn't seem to be a way to split the usb3.1.

TheLostSwede said:
Sorry, but the USB 3.1 connectors only support ONE port, not two like the older USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 headers.
The headers have two rows of pins, one for each port. All the USB 3.1 board connectors to date appears to only support a single port, as I'm not aware of a single motherboard that can do more than one per connector and I haven't seen any boards with two internal USB 3.1 connectors as yet. I presume it has something to do with the reversible nature of USB-C.
So there's no simple way to get two ports to function out of one port, without having a USB hub built into the adaptor.

Yep, exactly this. The controller sees that connector on the motherboard as a single USB port. So the only way to get two ports from one is to include a USB hub controller in the adapter to split the single port into 2.

Instead of trying to find an adapter for the 3.1 USB C connector, it might just be easier to get this adapter to split the USB 3.0 header on the board. I think this one has a hub chip under the shrinkwrap, which splits the 2 ports into 4.

20 Pin USB 3.0 Internal Header Y Splitter Cable 12cm

Buy 20 Pin USB 3.0 Internal Header Y Splitter Cable 12cm for $19.99 with Free Shipping Worldwide (In Stock)

www.moddiy.com

Assimilator · May 26, 2020

newtekie1 said:
So the only way to get two ports from one is to include a USB hub controller in the adapter to split the single port into 2.

As stated above, that's not physically possible due to there only being a single set of data pins.

TheLostSwede · May 26, 2020

Echelon said:
Bought this and confirmed working for my wife's computer, shes using a Asus ROG Strix Z370-I Gaming in a In Win A1 Plus

Motherboard USB 3.1 Header 20Pin Male to Motherboard USB 3.0 Header 19Pin Male Connector Converter Adapter Extension Cable Black 30cm - Newegg.com

Buy Motherboard USB 3.1 Header 20Pin Male to Motherboard USB 3.0 Header 19Pin Male Connector Converter Adapter Extension Cable Black 30cm with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.ca

But does it give you two usable ports or one?

Dirtypants · May 26, 2020

TheLostSwede said:
But does it give you two usable ports or one?

This gives me two ports of access on the front USB 3 connections

TheLostSwede · May 26, 2020

newtekie1 said:
Yep, exactly this. The controller sees that connector on the motherboard as a single USB port. So the only way to get two ports from one is to include a USB hub controller in the adapter to split the single port into 2.

Instead of trying to find an adapter for the 3.1 USB C connector, it might just be easier to get this adapter to split the USB 3.0 header on the board. I think this one has a hub chip under the shrinkwrap, which splits the 2 ports into 4.

20 Pin USB 3.0 Internal Header Y Splitter Cable 12cm

Buy 20 Pin USB 3.0 Internal Header Y Splitter Cable 12cm for $19.99 with Free Shipping Worldwide (In Stock)

www.moddiy.com

How's that splitter supposed to work? You can still only use two out of the four ports at the same time.

Echelon said:
This gives me two ports of access on the front USB 3 connections

Simultaneously? I guess then it might depend on the controller logic somehow, since based on a lot of the reviews on Amazon, these types of adaptors can do one or two port, depending on the board.

Dirtypants · May 26, 2020

TheLostSwede said:
How's that splitter supposed to work? You can still only use two out of the four ports at the same time.

Simultaneously? I guess then it might depend on the controller logic somehow, since based on a lot of the reviews on Amazon, these types of adaptors can do one or two port, depending on the board.

I will have to do some tests as I plugged a flash drive into both but not at the same time

newtekie1 · May 26, 2020

Assimilator said:
As stated above, that's not physically possible due to there only being a single set of data pins.

Re-read my post carefully. Or research how USB works and USB Hubs and their controllers work.

TheLostSwede said:
How's that splitter supposed to work? You can still only use two out of the four ports at the same time.

I already explained how it works in my post.

Do you people live in a different world than me where USB hubs don't exist?!?

TheLostSwede · May 26, 2020

newtekie1 said:
I already explained how it works in my post.

Do you people live in a different world than me where USB hubs don't exist?!?

Hub is fine, I just don't see where the description says it has a built in hub, it just says splitter cable. I even suggested that was needed in my first post here.
I would've expected something like this.

USB 3.2 Gen 1 Motherboard Header 19 Pin Internal USB Hub Controller

Buy USB 3.2 Gen 1 Motherboard Header 19 Pin Internal USB Hub Controller for $49.99 with Free Shipping Worldwide (In Stock)

www.moddiy.com

Dirtypants · May 26, 2020

Confirmed only one port works and thats is with the cable in my wifes computer. My bad as I thought I tested both ports a while back but guess not.

newtekie1 · May 26, 2020

TheLostSwede said:
Hub is fine, I just don't see where the description says it has a built in hub, it just says splitter cable. I even suggested that was needed in my first post here.
I would've expected something like this.

USB 3.2 Gen 1 Motherboard Header 19 Pin Internal USB Hub Controller

Buy USB 3.2 Gen 1 Motherboard Header 19 Pin Internal USB Hub Controller for $49.99 with Free Shipping Worldwide (In Stock)

www.moddiy.com

I got mine from Performance-PC, but the one I got had a built in hub so all 4 ports work. I can tell there is some kind of tiny PCB under the shrink wrap down by the connector that plugs into the motherboard. I don't even think it uses both of the ports from the motherboard, just on port like a normal hub. USB 3.0 hubs are tiny these days and don't need any external power.

That board you posted is way too complex and does more than what is necessary.

Alternatively, if you don't want to risk getting something that isn't going to work, and don't care about cable clutter you can do this:

Amazon.com: Toptekits 2 Port USB 3.0 A Female Screw Panel Mount to Motherboard 20 Pin Flat Cable Cord by Toptekits, 1.6ft/0.5m : Electronics

Buy Toptekits 2 Port USB 3.0 A Female Screw Panel Mount to Motherboard 20 Pin Flat Cable Cord by Toptekits, 1.6ft/0.5m: USB Cables - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

+

Amazon.com: Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub, Ultra-Slim Data USB Hub with 2 ft Extended Cable [Charging Not Supported], for MacBook, Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Surface Pro, XPS, PC, Flash Drive, Mobile HDD: MP3 Players & Accessories

Amazon.com: Anker 4-Port USB 3.0 Hub, Ultra-Slim Data USB Hub with 2 ft Extended Cable [Charging Not Supported], for MacBook, Mac Pro, Mac mini, iMac, Surface Pro, XPS, PC, Flash Drive, Mobile HDD: MP3 Players & Accessories

www.amazon.com

+

Amazon.com: RAYSUN Dual 2 Port USB 3.0 A Type Male to 20Pin Header Male Slot Adapter Cord 20Pin Male Motherboard to USB 3.0 Male Adapter : Electronics

Buy RAYSUN Dual 2 Port USB 3.0 A Type Male to 20Pin Header Male Slot Adapter Cord 20Pin Male Motherboard to USB 3.0 Male Adapter: USB Cables - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

It's not going to be pretty, but it will definitely work to give 4 front panel USB3.0 ports.

moproblems99 · May 26, 2020

newtekie1 said:
Yep, exactly this. The controller sees that connector on the motherboard as a single USB port. So the only way to get two ports from one is to include a USB hub controller in the adapter to split the single port into 2.

Instead of trying to find an adapter for the 3.1 USB C connector, it might just be easier to get this adapter to split the USB 3.0 header on the board. I think this one has a hub chip under the shrinkwrap, which splits the 2 ports into 4.

20 Pin USB 3.0 Internal Header Y Splitter Cable 12cm

Buy 20 Pin USB 3.0 Internal Header Y Splitter Cable 12cm for $19.99 with Free Shipping Worldwide (In Stock)

www.moddiy.com

I looked at that one but I thought I saw a note saying it would only allow one port to work as well but I don't see it now.

newtekie1 said:
I got mine from Performance-PC

The one you linked? I live within an acceptable driving distance of PPC.

newtekie1 · May 26, 2020

moproblems99 said:
I looked at that one but I thought I saw a note saying it would only allow one port to work as well but I don't see it now.

The one you linked? I live within an acceptable driving distance of PPC.

20-Pin USB 3.0 Internal Header Y Splitter Cable (12cm)

This is a 20-Pin USB 3.0 Y slipter cable great for cases that have dual USB 3.0 headers

www.performance-pcs.com

I think this is the one I got from them, it has the same model number and is from modDIY, but performance-pcs is out of stock of it. The picture is different on the modDIY site too though. So maybe they've updated it since I bought mine.

System Name	Wut?
Processor	3900X
Motherboard	ASRock Taichi X570
Cooling	Water
Memory	32GB GSkill CL16 3600mhz
Video Card(s)	Vega 56
Storage	2 x AData XPG 8200 Pro 1TB
Display(s)	3440 x 1440
Case	Thermaltake Tower 900
Power Supply	Seasonic Prime Ultra Platinum

System Name	Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor	Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard	Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling	Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory	2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s)	Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage	2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s)	Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) \| Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) \| Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case	Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s)	Logitech G560 \| Corsair Void pro RGB \|Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply	Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse	Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard	Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software	Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores	Nyooom.

System Name	Wut?
Processor	3900X
Motherboard	ASRock Taichi X570
Cooling	Water
Memory	32GB GSkill CL16 3600mhz
Video Card(s)	Vega 56
Storage	2 x AData XPG 8200 Pro 1TB
Display(s)	3440 x 1440
Case	Thermaltake Tower 900
Power Supply	Seasonic Prime Ultra Platinum

System Name	Rainbow Sparkles (Power efficient, <350W gaming load)
Processor	Ryzen R7 5800x3D (Undervolted, 4.45GHz all core)
Motherboard	Asus x570-F (BIOS Modded)
Cooling	Alphacool Apex UV - Alphacool Eisblock XPX Aurora + EK Quantum ARGB 3090 w/ active backplate
Memory	2x32GB DDR4 3600 Corsair Vengeance RGB @3866 C18-22-22-22-42 TRFC704 (1.4V Hynix MJR - SoC 1.15V)
Video Card(s)	Galax RTX 3090 SG 24GB: Underclocked to 1700Mhz 0.750v (375W down to 250W))
Storage	2TB WD SN850 NVME + 1TB Sasmsung 970 Pro NVME + 1TB Intel 6000P NVME USB 3.2
Display(s)	Phillips 32 32M1N5800A (4k144), LG 32" (4K60) \| Gigabyte G32QC (2k165) \| Phillips 328m6fjrmb (2K144)
Case	Fractal Design R6
Audio Device(s)	Logitech G560 \| Corsair Void pro RGB \|Blue Yeti mic
Power Supply	Fractal Ion+ 2 860W (Platinum) (This thing is God-tier. Silent and TINY)
Mouse	Logitech G Pro wireless + Steelseries Prisma XL
Keyboard	Razer Huntsman TE ( Sexy white keycaps)
VR HMD	Oculus Rift S + Quest 2
Software	Windows 11 pro x64 (Yes, it's genuinely a good OS) OpenRGB - ditch the branded bloatware!
Benchmark Scores	Nyooom.

System Name	Firelance.
Processor	Threadripper 3960X
Motherboard	ROG Strix TRX40-E Gaming
Cooling	IceGem 360 + 6x Arctic Cooling P12
Memory	8x 16GB Patriot Viper DDR4-3200 CL16
Video Card(s)	MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ti Ventus 2X OC
Storage	2TB WD SN850X (boot), 4TB Crucial P3 (data)
Display(s)	Dell S3221QS(A) (32" 38x21 60Hz) + 2x AOC Q32E2N (32" 25x14 75Hz)
Case	Enthoo Pro II Server Edition (Closed Panel) + 6 fans
Power Supply	Fractal Design Ion+ 2 Platinum 760W
Mouse	Logitech G604
Keyboard	Razer Pro Type Ultra
Software	Windows 10 Professional x64

System Name	Overlord Mk MLI
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard	Gigabyte X670E Aorus Master
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15 SE with offsets
Memory	32GB Team T-Create Expert DDR5 6000 MHz @ CL30-34-34-68
Video Card(s)	Gainward GeForce RTX 4080 Phantom GS
Storage	1TB Solidigm P44 Pro, 2 TB Corsair MP600 Pro, 2TB Kingston KC3000
Display(s)	Acer XV272K LVbmiipruzx 4K@160Hz
Case	Fractal Design Torrent Compact
Audio Device(s)	Corsair Virtuoso SE
Power Supply	be quiet! Pure Power 12 M 850 W
Mouse	Logitech G502 Lightspeed
Keyboard	Corsair K70 Max
Software	Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores	https://valid.x86.fr/yfsd9w

System Name	The Little One
Processor	i5-11320H @4.4GHZ
Motherboard	Beelink/AZW SEI
Cooling	Fan w/heat pipes + side & rear vents
Memory	64GB Crucial DDR4-3200 (2x 32GB)
Video Card(s)	Iris XE
Storage	WD Black SN850X 8TB m.2, Seagate 4TB SSD + SN850 8TB x2 in an external enclosure
Display(s)	2x Samsung 43" + 1x 32"
Case	Practically identical to a mac mini, just purrtier in slate blue, & with 3x usb ports on the front !
Audio Device(s)	No-name compact bluetooth speakers
Power Supply	65w brick
Mouse	Logitech MX Master 3
Keyboard	Logitech G613 mechanical wireless
VR HMD	Whahdatiz ???
Software	Windows 10 pro, with all the unnecessary background shitzu turned OFF !
Benchmark Scores	PDQ

System Name	DPC
Processor	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Motherboard	Gigabyte X570S Aero G
Cooling	Noctua NH-D15, Noctua NF-S12A, 2x NF-A15, 2x Noctua NF-A14 and 2x Prisma AL-18 PWM
Memory	G.Skill Trident Z 32GB DDR4 3733MHz CL17 Dual Channel Kit (2x 16GB)
Video Card(s)	EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti 12 GB FTW3 ULTRA GAMING
Storage	Western Digital Black SN850 M.2 1TB, Western Digital Blue SN550 M.2 1TB
Display(s)	MSI Optix MAG342CQR 34"
Case	Fractal Design Torrent Compact RGB
Audio Device(s)	Logitech G Pro X Headset
Power Supply	Seasonic PRIME TX-1000
Mouse	Logitech G Pro Wireless
Keyboard	Wooting 60HE
Software	Windows 11 Pro

Processor	Intel Core i7 10850K@5.2GHz
Motherboard	AsRock Z470 Taichi
Cooling	Corsair H115i Pro w/ Noctua NF-A14 Fans
Memory	32GB DDR4-3600
Video Card(s)	RTX 2070 Super
Storage	500GB SX8200 Pro + 8TB with 1TB SSD Cache
Display(s)	Acer Nitro VG280K 4K 28"
Case	Fractal Design Define S
Audio Device(s)	Onboard is good enough for me
Power Supply	eVGA SuperNOVA 1000w G3
Software	Windows 10 Pro x64

Internal USB 3.1 header to USB3.0 Conversion

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