# PC system builders – Drive Bay sized USB port for connection to M/B header– why so hard to find? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 14, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860 "2011-11-14T03:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/1 "2011-11-14T03:20:25Z")
I’m putting together a couple of new PC’s. Every M/B I’ve looked at has numerous extra USB headers on the M/B, presumably designed to be connected to something. And I would have thought that (what with the array of cameras and phones etc that need to be temporarily connected to a PC these days) the obvious place that many people would want their extra USB ports would be on the front panel (not on an expansion slot bracket at the back). All I want is something as basic [as this expansion bracket](http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4-Port-USB-2-0-Header-Bracket-Extension-MainBoard-/110711104726?pt=AU_Components&hash=item19c6e564d6), except in a housing to go in a front drive bay. However, I’m finding it bafflingly difficult to find this. In fact, I can find precisely _one_ in the whole of the internets, and that from a relatively expensive UK or German vendor. I would ordinarily expect basic bits like this to be purchasable from HK and other vendors for a few bucks, by the zillion. I can find any number of such devices that connect to a PCI-E slot, or to an existing USB-A connector on the back panel, but why would everything be designed to connect up in that way when so many M/B’s have spare headers on the mainboard? Is what I want so weird 😕 And before someone says, yes there are various kludges I could put together, like buying a front panel 4-port usb hub with a USB-A female connector then buying an adapter to plug that into the M/B header but I just can’t understand why it is so hard to find something that is exactly right. Am I missing something here? ---
**Author:** ![zwede](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ac91a4/32.png) [@zwede](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zwede)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/2 "2011-11-14T03:30:47Z")
Most of them seem to be a conglomerate of all kinds of ports, SD card, e-sata and a few USB thrown in. But here’s one with just 2 USB ports for $11: [http://store.cableorganizer.com/2-port-usb-20-front-bay-hub-beige\_CTG-27037](http://store.cableorganizer.com/2-port-usb-20-front-bay-hub-beige_CTG-27037) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/3 "2011-11-14T03:32:34Z")
Newegg has [this](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820223113), which is a card reader in a drive bay with three USB ports and an eSATA port. Will that work? ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/4 "2011-11-14T04:02:22Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > And before someone says, yes there are various kludges I could put together, like buying a front panel 4-port usb hub with a USB-A female connector then buying an adapter to plug that into the M/B header but I just can’t understand why it is so hard to find something that is exactly right. Am I missing something here? no, not that I can see. any of the front-bay USB-slash-card-readers I’ve seen have bundled in some USB A to B cables, and nothing to connect the USB B port on the reader to the 9/10 pin motherboard header. on my own PC I just gave up and spliced together my own cable. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/5 "2011-11-14T04:04:54Z")
**zwede** that looks to connect via a type A USB connector, not to a m/b, though the description is a little confusing. And **Dewey** yes something like that may be an option, but most of it is just going to be slots for collecting dust. There seem to be any number of possibilities as long as you are happy to use an adapter to fit to your m/b header. It just seems strange that something that comes with cables to connect direct to your m/b header isn’t commonplace given the ubiquity of m/b USB headers. And thanks for confirming that I’m not going insane or my google-fu hasn’t totally failed, **jz78817**. I really can’t understand this seemingly gaping hole in the market. A-splicing I shall go, apparently. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/6 "2011-11-14T04:12:17Z")
[This hub](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815150170) at Newegg goes into either a 3.5 or 5.25 bay. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/7 "2011-11-14T04:35:16Z")
Yes, but it works off a PCI-E slot. That’s the thing, there are any number of front bay USB ports that work by wasting an existing external USB port or a PCI-E slot but weirdly enough there seems to be a near total vacuum when it comes to hubs that work off the otherwise unused motherboard USB headers. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/8 "2011-11-14T14:28:11Z")
I bought one of these these last spring, [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001FSCWC/ref=olp\_product\_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001FSCWC/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=) Basically plugged right into the mother board header. Weird, though, also had to be plugged into a USB port. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/9 "2011-11-14T14:56:37Z")
Are you saying that the panels you find don’t come with the cable to the USB header, or that they don’t even have the interface? I thought most of those panels had both types of connectors, like [this one](http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0246464). At any rate, it doesn’t surprise me that the market isn’t that large - every case I’ve put together already has front USB ports for the motherboard headers. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/10 "2011-11-14T15:02:39Z")
> [@ReticulatingSplines](#): > > Are you saying that the panels you find don’t come with the cable to the USB header, or that they don’t even have the interface? I thought most of those panels had both types of connectors, like [this one](http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0246464). > > At any rate, it doesn’t surprise me that the market isn’t that large - every case I’ve put together already has front USB ports for the motherboard headers. that second header is for a floppy-drive power connector, which turns it into a powered hub. ---
**Author:** ![ReticulatingSplines](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e274bd/32.png) [@ReticulatingSplines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReticulatingSplines)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/11 "2011-11-14T15:16:17Z")
Crap, you’re right. I didn’t notice that it was a 4-pin power connector. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/12 "2011-11-14T16:20:26Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > And before someone says, yes there are various kludges I could put together, like buying a front panel 4-port usb hub with a USB-A female connector then buying an adapter to plug that into the M/B header but I just can’t understand why it is so hard to find something that is exactly right. Am I missing something here? This place does DIY modular front panel units…probably will do what you want > **[FRONTX - Webstore - Internal Ports](http://www.frontx.com/order2.html)** > > Extend computer ports and connectors to the front panel. Total Versatility. You can choose the ports you need. FRom the same place you could order this > **[FRONTX - Mother-board USB Pin Assignment - USB Header (pinout) Connection Guide](http://www.frontx.com/cpx108_2.html)** > > How to connect front panel USB, headphone, microphone, firewire connectors onto motherboard header / pinouts. and just dremel out the appropriate holes to an existing 5.25 front panel cover plate, remove the included bezel, and screw/glue to the bay cover plate. Assuming something like this would not do > **[Amazon.com: SilverStone FP32B Aluminum 3.5-Inch Drive Bay with USB X 4 + E1394...](https://www.amazon.com/SilverStone-FP32B-Aluminum-3-5-Inch-Drive/dp/B000JK7FMW)** > > The FP32 is a convenient I/O ports kit for the new generation of computers. At an easy to integrate size of a 3.5” drive bay, it is available in either silver or black aluminum finish. By providing connections for four USB 2.0 ports (also compatible... ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/13 "2011-11-14T16:27:30Z")
monoprice offers custom-made USB cables which attach to the motherboard header: [http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c\_id=103&cp\_id=10303&cs\_id=1030311&p\_id=6749&seq=1&format=2](http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10303&cs_id=1030311&p_id=6749&seq=1&format=2) this could be an option. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/14 "2011-11-14T17:07:49Z")
I’ve owned several devices like this one: [http://www.amazon.com/FireWire-eSATA-MultiFunction-Internal-Reader/dp/B0012MV3QA/ref=sr\_1\_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321290297&sr=8-1](http://www.amazon.com/FireWire-eSATA-MultiFunction-Internal-Reader/dp/B0012MV3QA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321290297&sr=8-1) (and I believe that is the one I am using currently) That connect straight to 9 pin motherboard connectors. That one also connects to a firewire motherboard connector as well - I didn’t have one of those and spent like $15 on a firewire PCI-E card that had one. Fits into a 5.25" drive bay. But those connectors are first for cases - every case I’ve owned in the last 7 or 8 years has needed at least one 9 pin on the motherboard to connect front or side USB ports. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/15 "2011-11-14T17:29:34Z")
I’ll second the FrontX stuff - I’ve used them before. You would want the CPX088 case (which fits in your 5.25" slot) and a CPX108-2 dual USB internal port (which will fill one part of the CPX008). It connects to the 10-pin M/B USB header. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/16 "2011-11-14T18:02:47Z")
Thank you, **drachillix** , for linking the FrontX stuff. I’ve been looking for something like their panel-mount cables for a while, and this is exactly what I need 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![cordylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@cordylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cordylus)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/17 "2011-11-15T05:33:20Z")
A while back I was looking to do something similar. Have a look at this: [Dual USB Cable -2.54 mm Pitch](http://www.logicsupply.com/products/cbl_2usb254p) A couple of those and an x-acto knife or dremel are all you need. When I did mine I just mounted it the back of a regular drive bay cover. I left the screws exposed but I’m sure they could be glued if you prefer a smoother look. If you have snap in or flimsy bay covers you may have problems when plugging/unplugging things. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/18 "2011-11-15T06:15:58Z")
Yes there are certainly any number of ways of putting something like this together, I guess my GQ though was why isn’t the exact thing I want readily available? I guess maybe most people just use whatever number of built in USB ports their case already has, or that if they are going for extra USB ports they go for something with card reader capabilities also. It just surprises me that - when almost every other combination or permutation is amply catered for - what I wanted isn’t extremely easy to find, when obtaining something extremely similar but (at least to me) obviously inferior is so easy to find. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/19 "2011-11-15T15:30:06Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Thank you, **drachillix** , for linking the FrontX stuff. I’ve been looking for something like their panel-mount cables for a while, and this is exactly what I need 🙂 Great for building specialized systems that need oddball ports. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2011, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-system-builders-drive-bay-sized-usb-port-for-connection-to-m-b-header-why-so-hard-to-find/602860/20 "2011-11-15T17:34:32Z")
Some MBs have duct tape and WD-40 folk. The Dope has X-acto and Dremel using computer geeks. Nice.