Front USB and Audio ports.

[NathanSoulfracture]

i was just curious as to how these front ports are connected, do you have to use a certain motherboard that has front ports or do you plug a lead into the motherboard from the inside of the case which is connected to the ports? im just wondering as i want to buy a case with front ports.

[Hags]

it all depends on what your mobo supports, if your mobo supports 2 front usb ports for example, and you case has 2 front usb ports, you can hook them directly to the mobo using the pins on the mobo (the instruction booklet will tell you which pins) but if your case has 2 front usb ports but your mobo doesnt support that, you wont be able to use them

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by NathanSoulfracture i was just curious as to how these front ports are connected, do you have to use a certain motherboard that has front ports or do you plug a lead into the motherboard from the inside of the case which is connected to the ports? im just wondering as i want to buy a case with front ports.

What motherboard do you have now? Most current motherboard have headers for USB ports on them as well as the USB ports in the I/O area. You'll need the motherboard manual so you can see the layout of the pins and connect the front USB wires correctly.

Cricket

[idolcrash]

For the front audio, however, I think most cases have wires to plug them into the back jacks, as (at least, according to either my case manufacturer or motherbaord manufacturer, I forget which) there is no standard for front audio compatibility yet.

[Cricket]

Some motherboards also have a header where you can connect the front ports to as well. Again, you need the manual so you know which pin connects to which wire from the front ports.

Cricket

[NathanSoulfracture]

im not looking to use it for my current motherboard, im starting to build a PC and just wondered how i would tell if a motherboard supports front USB or Audio ports because i switch between headphones and speakers alot so going round the back and switching would be a pain basically. thanks for the replies.