Replace Floppy bay with front panel USB 3.0

[RageTester]

There is a very old PC case, computer itself is almost always on and used for work. Only has USB 2.0 ports at the back and I haven't checked the motherboard yet. I figured adding some USB ports to the front panel could improve USB flash drive insertion time and transfer speeds.

I can't understand if I need 19 or 20 pin connector. Is the only way to find out taking a zoomed in photo and counting?

https://www.amazon.de/Kurphy-Play-Diskettenlaufwerk-USB-3-0-Anschluss-Anschlüsse-Bracket-Kabel/dp/B07MYRX4LS/ref=sr_1_5?__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&dchild=1&keywords=2+Ports+USB+3.0+Front+Panel+Floppy+Disk+Bay+20+Pin+Hub+Bracket&qid=1599805405&sr=8-5

 

19 pin seems to be more expensive

 

https://www.amazon.de/DeLock-Front-19-polig-Header-Schacht/dp/B006OJ65BE/ref=sr_1_4?__mk_de_DE=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&dchild=1&keywords=usb+3.0+frontpanel+19+pin&qid=1599809760&sr=8-4

[johnny5c]

The USB 3.0 motherboard headers are 20 pin.

[RageTester]

Oh thanks, now to find out if that motherboard even supports USB 3.0

[mariushm]

USB 3 header is  2 x 10 pin, so a total of 20 pins.  BUT, a corner pin has no role, and it's often missing on motherboards because it has the role of KEY (basically some usb 3.0 plugs have that corner hole filled, so if you try to insert the plug the wrong way into the header the pin in the other corner can't go in because the hole is filled)

 

So both 19 pin and 20 pin headers  are 100% compatible with each other and you can plug a 20 pin connector from such floppy bay adapter thing into it and they'll work. 

 

Look up eBay, if you can wait 2-3 weeks for the packages to arrive, you can get what you want potentially cheaper 

Here's some examples:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2-USB-3-0-Ports-Front-Panel-Floppy-Bay-Hub-with-20-Pin-Bracket-Cable-K/224116422981

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20-Pin-3-5-Floppy-Bay-Front-Panel-2-Ports-USB-3-0-Expansion-Adapter-Connector/402358097428?hash=item5dae695614:g:assAAOSwMDRfMjiQ

 

You can also get usb 2.0 header to usb 3.0 header adapter cables, which would allow you to plug the 20 pin connector into a 10 pin usb 2.0 header on the motherboard. You'll have usb 3.0 ports but they'll only run at usb 2.0 speeds ( 480 mbps instead of 5 gbps) but if you'll upgrade the motherboard at some point, you can then reuse this floppy bay thing on usb 3.0

 

Here's an example  : https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-header-to-USB-3-0-port/112797650148?hash=item1a43438ce4:g:YpAAAOSw86JaeHTO

 

There's also floppy bays with 2-4 usb 2.0 ports .... here's for example one which takes two usb 2.0 ports (one 10 pin header) and puts 4 usb 2.0 ports in front (one is straight from motherboard, one goes into a usb 2.0 hub chip which creates 3 usb 2 ports) : https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Port-USB-2-0-3-5-Floppy-Front-Panel-9-Pin-Hub-Expansion-Bracket-Floppy-Bay-TG/174374095071

 

[RageTester]

As I am not buying this for myself, but an office I don't think I will buy the cheapest, rather look for something with reviews that don't look fake. Never thought eBay would offer free shipping, but at that point I prefer AliExpress buyer protection, got money back every time I had problems with delivery or quality.

[mariushm]

If you're willing to spend a bit more for the office, you may want to spend 30-35 euro on newer case with the usb connectors in front.

 

Here's a couple designs that look nice for an office / business 

 

mATX : https://de.pcpartpicker.com/product/dH448d/antec-vsk3000e-u3-microatx-mini-tower-case-vsk3000e-u3

ATX : https://de.pcpartpicker.com/product/zyKhP6/antec-case-vsk4000eu3

 

 

 

[SpikeSpiegel]

Ebay has buyer protection as well.  Also SquareTrade warranty.