USB 3.0/2.0 compatibility

[steelo]

Hi everyone, 

 

If I have more USB 3.1/3.0 ports on the case than the MB allows, can I connect the USB 3.1 to the 2.0 pins available?

[myselfolli]

The plugs are physically incompatible, but you could get a adapter cable. Just be aware that your USB 3 ports will be limited to USB 2 speeds

[BrinkGG]

6 minutes ago, steelo said:

Hi everyone, 

 

If I have more USB 3.1/3.0 ports on the case than the MB allows, can I connect the USB 3.1 to the 2.0 pins available?

You can use an adapter to connect a USB 3.0 header cable to a 2.0 header on your motherboard, it will only run at 2.0 spec though. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EOI3VC8/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_2gy2CbH9E24W3

[steelo]

3 minutes ago, myselfolli said:

The plugs are physically incompatible, but you could get a adapter cable. Just be aware that your USB 3 ports will be limited to USB 2 speeds

Right, I wouldn't expect them to run faster than 2.0 speeds. Well I built this computer a few months ago and I think what I did was connect a 3.0 port on the case to USB 2.0 pins on the mobo. Is that even possible?

[myselfolli]

Just now, steelo said:

Right, I wouldn't expect them to run faster than 2.0 speeds. Well I built this computer a few months ago and I think what I did was connect a 3.0 port on the case to USB 2.0 pins on the mobo. Is that even possible?

As I said: the plugs are physically incompatible, so not really (unless you've used a lot of force that is)

[steelo]

5 minutes ago, myselfolli said:

As I said: the plugs are physically incompatible, so not really (unless you've used a lot of force that is)

Okay, I'll have to double check but I thought I remember the port being blue to signify that it is USB 3.0. I'm at work right now, so I may be wrong. I recall the USB 3.0 having a much larger plug than the 2.0. Anyways, whatever it is it's connected with a 2.0 cable but the port doesn't seem to work.

[Slayerking92]

if you have a free 1x pcie slot,  you could also add another usb card and connect the header to that.

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA85V3PF0932&Description=pcie 20 pin usb&cm_re=pcie_20_pin_usb-_-9SIA85V3PF0932-_-Product

 

[steelo]

4 minutes ago, Slayerking92 said:

if you have a free 1x pcie slot,  you could also add another usb card and connect the header to that.

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA85V3PF0932&Description=pcie 20 pin usb&cm_re=pcie_20_pin_usb-_-9SIA85V3PF0932-_-Product

 

Thanks, I considered that because between my oculus and everything connected I have 1 free usb ports (2 if I can get this one working). Unfortunately, with my mobo the RX 570 obstructs me from connecting any pcie cards.

[BrinkGG]

12 minutes ago, steelo said:

Right, I wouldn't expect them to run faster than 2.0 speeds. Well I built this computer a few months ago and I think what I did was connect a 3.0 port on the case to USB 2.0 pins on the mobo. Is that even possible?

Read my above post. There are adapters to do this for you, but you will only get 2.0 speeds and power delivery as mentioned already.  

[steelo]

11 minutes ago, Brink2Three said:

Read my above post. There are adapters to do this for you, but you will only get 2.0 speeds and power delivery as mentioned already.  

Thanks, I understand that. I will check once I get home and if I realize it is 2.0 pins and a 3.0 port, I'll buy the adapter. When I built the computer, I was able to connect it somehow but it doesn't work. LOL

 

 

[steelo]

14 minutes ago, Brink2Three said:

Read my above post. There are adapters to do this for you, but you will only get 2.0 speeds and power delivery as mentioned already.  

Okay, just checked it and it IS a USB 2.0 port to 2.0 on the mobo...however, it does not work. Do you have an easy way to diagnose this? The only thing I can think of is to connect it to other 2.0 pins on the MB and see if it works.

[Mira Yurizaki]

42 minutes ago, steelo said:

Hi everyone, 

 

If I have more USB 3.1/3.0 ports on the case than the MB allows, can I connect the USB 3.1 to the 2.0 pins available?

You can get 3.0 to 2.0 headers like https://www.amazon.com/SIENOC-Female-Motherboard-Housing-Adapter/dp/B00EOI3VC8/

 

EDIT: Also someone already mentioned it

[steelo]

6 minutes ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

You can get 3.0 to 2.0 headers like https://www.amazon.com/SIENOC-Female-Motherboard-Housing-Adapter/dp/B00EOI3VC8/

 

EDIT: Also someone already mentioned it

Thanks, just verified that I did connect a 2.0 header to a 2.0 port...still doesn't work though =(

[Mira Yurizaki]

Just now, steelo said:

Thanks, just verified that I did connect a 2.0 header to a 2.0 port...still doesn't work though =(

What are you using to test the USB port?

[steelo]

6 minutes ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

What are you using to test the USB port?

I tried plugging in my smart phone and an xbox controller, neither shows any sign of even getting power. I verified the usb power cable works with another USB port.

[Mira Yurizaki]

1 minute ago, steelo said:

I tried plugging in my smart phone and an xbox controller, neither shows any sign of even getting power.

So my first gut instinct is to check the manual to see if there are any restrictions. Which there shouldn't be, but you never know.

 

The other thing I recommend, though I hate to ask you to spend more money at this, is to get a USB 2.0 header to 2.0 plug. If you don't mind it being in the back, you could get something like https://www.amazon.com/Yootop-Expansion-Bracket-Adapter-Motherboard/dp/B07DN9NQLJ/

 

This is only to rule out anything weird with converting 2.0 to 3.0 and using a 3.0 Type A port (which again, shouldn't be, but you never know)

[steelo]

Just now, Mira Yurizaki said:

So my first gut instinct is to check the manual to see if there are any restrictions. Which there shouldn't be, but you never know.

 

The other thing I recommend, though I hate to ask you to spend more money at this, is to get a USB 2.0 header to 2.0 plug. If you don't mind it being in the back, you could get something like https://www.amazon.com/Yootop-Expansion-Bracket-Adapter-Motherboard/dp/B07DN9NQLJ/

 

This is only to rule out anything weird with converting 2.0 to 3.0 and using a 3.0 Type A port (which again, shouldn't be, but you never know)

Thanks, I have a feeling it is the cheap cabling included with the computer case. This was a $20 ebay special case and the wiring didn't assure confidence. 

[Mira Yurizaki]

2 minutes ago, steelo said:

Thanks, I have a feeling it is the cheap cabling included with the computer case. This was a $20 ebay special case and the wiring didn't assure confidence. 

Just to be on the safe side: https://www.amazon.com/Port-Female-Slot-Plate-Adapter/dp/B0000511LW/

 

For odds and ends, StarTech is one of the few companies that are worth considering.

[steelo]

20 minutes ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

Just to be on the safe side: https://www.amazon.com/Port-Female-Slot-Plate-Adapter/dp/B0000511LW/

 

For odds and ends, StarTech is one of the few companies that are worth considering.

Thanks. That's kind of interesting, I don't think I've ever seen a USB plate that appears to screw onto the back of the case while just plugging into the headers. I'm used to seeing pcie usb cards

[Lady Fitzgerald]

4 hours ago, steelo said:

Thanks. That's kind of interesting, I don't think I've ever seen a USB plate that appears to screw onto the back of the case while just plugging into the headers. I'm used to seeing pcie usb cards

Those "USB" plates are actually quite common. I prefer the ones that have one piece header connectors, like this one:

 

 

I prefer them because it's too easy to insert one of the header connectors in the dual connector versions the wrong way.