USB Header adapter.

[theHAYwired1]

Hey people of the internets.

So today i received my NZXT phantom and its a great case but I've got one issue, one of the usb ports is 3.0 and uses the 20 pin header but my motherboard only has the old USB 2.0 headers. I've seen some of the case manufacturers supplying adapters but I cant find any local stores selling them.

So with this in mind can some clever person please tell me what my cheapest and easiest option would be to get the USB 3.0 port to work even if it is at 2.0 speeds.

Thanks

 

[snugglez64]

Hey people of the internets.

So today i received my NZXT phantom and its a great case but I've got one issue, one of the usb ports is 3.0 and uses the 20 pin header but my motherboard only has the old USB 2.0 headers. I've seen some of the case manufacturers supplying adapters but I cant find any local stores selling them.

So with this in mind can some clever person please tell me what my cheapest and easiest option would be to get the USB 3.0 port to work even if it is at 2.0 speeds.

Thanks

I'm looking for the same thing!
Please somebody H.E.L.P!

 

[Yotch]

If I understand correctly you will probably need to make up the cable yourself. You will presumably need a 20W (way) box header, a 10W IDC socket and a short piece (30cm?) of 10W IDC ribbon cable. Alternatively you could buy the crimp terminal version of the IDC socket if you don't have a vice to press on the IDC socket (Mantech will do this for ~R5). You then need to solder the individual wires from the IDC socket on the ribbon cable to the appropriate pins on the 20W box header. You could ask CableLink in Randburg or possibly Mantech to make it up for you if you don't have the necessary tools/skills. Just get a quote first via telephone. The total cost should be less than R20 if you assemble it yourself. You could also try Connector Technology in Linbro Park or Spectron in Marlboro for the parts if these are closer or Mantech/Rabtron if you need delivery.
20W box header 2.54mm pitch ...
http://www.mantech.co.za/Stock.aspx?Query=20W box headerand
Normal USB 2.0 motherboard header pinouts ...
http://www.frontx.com/cpx108_2.html
10W IDC socket 2.54mm pitch ...
http://www.mantech.co.za/Stock.aspx?Query=IDCand

EDIT: What is the spacing between the centre of the holes on the 20 pin USB 3.0 socket? Just line the holes up against a ruler and see if they appear at 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10mm intervals etc. or at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10mm etc. Recently many manufacturers have started using 2mm headers. The box header shown above has a 2.54mm pitch. If you need a 2mm 20W box header you will have to cut a 40W SIL header into two 10W strips as it may be very difficult to obtain a 20W box header with a 2mm pitch locally (RS Electronics possibly?).
http://www.mantech.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?Item=14M3887
You should also measure the pitch of the USB 2.0 header on your motherboard - this is usually 2.54mm but it might not be.

These connectors could be used instead of the 10W IDC connector. If you only need to wire up one USB 2.0 port you may be able to use just a SIL 5W socket and five pieces of stranded wire to connect to the 20W USB 3.0 header.
http://shop.rabtron.co.za/catalog/housings-c-126_381.html
Single row female headers with solder terminals ...
http://shop.rabtron.co.za/catalog/header-connectors-c-126_312.html
10W dual row female header with solder terminals ...
http://www.mantech.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?Item=14M6371

 

[snugglez64]

Yoh, sounds like work bra..

You could have rather told me to upgrade my mobo..

 

[theHAYwired1]

I do not have a problem of making this, and I have most of those components already. My only issue is that I don't know witch of the holes on the 20 pin header is pin 1,2,3 and 4 witch would be +5v, USB D-, USB D+ and ground.

 

[Yotch]

You could try this (from Whirlpool) ...
USB2
Pin Name Colour Description USB3 Mobo
1 VCC Red +5 VDC pin 1 FUSB_VCC2
2 D- White Data – pin 8 SBD0-
3 D+ Green Data + pin 9 SBD0+
4 GND Black Ground pin 4 Ground
This is untested and try at your own risk, but it looks ok.

Pinouts for the 20 way connector (download the manual & refer to the USB 3.0 header diagram) ...
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/P67A-GD55.html#/?div=BIOS
MSI does not seem to follow the standard numbering for the USB 2.0 headers though.
With the PC off and unplugged, the safest option would be to plug a USB 2.0 extension cable into the USB 3.0 port and a suitable header into the 20W socket and then test using a multimeter to see that the four internal contacts in the USB socket are connected to the corresponding pins on the header (1, 8, 9, 4) etc.

USB 2.0 socket pinouts ...
http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml