AM5 motherboard featuring three rear USB-C connections.
AM5 motherboard featuring three rear USB-C connections.
Hello, Merry Christmas! I'm working on assembling a new rig and need some advice. I'm searching for a Mini-ITX AM5 motherboard with three USB-C ports, which will work well with the upcoming AMD 8700G CPU. It's been a bit tough to find the right fit in the Mini-ITX size, but having three USB-C ports would be perfect for my peripherals and future upgrades.
No such thing exists. What you'll typically encounter are just two models—the B650E-I Strix and the X670E-I Strix—neither of which offers much value when paired with a theoretical 8700G. USB-C remains relatively rare in the PC market right now, since most peripherals still use USB-A. The Type-C adapters available today are mainly intended for brief connections or laptops, which isn't ideal for a system back panel. I won<|pad|>'s say your scenario might still apply, but it's unlikely to be common.
USB to USB-C adapters offer a straightforward way to get a USB-C connection when you only need one.
This doesn't imply every Type-C connection will support USB 4 or any specialized Thunderbolt version. The more typical USB 10Gb speeds are available in both Type C and Type A connectors, meaning if you require Thunderbolt functionality, it's not a necessity for all setups. Most high-speed devices aren't permanently mounted at the back; instead, they're often placed internally or via front-mounted ports. Type-A connections are usually reserved for peripherals like keyboards and printers, though that view isn't universally accepted. Ideally, internal mounting or front panel solutions should be preferred for flexibility and ease.
Then simply purchase a hub? What’s the purpose? If you truly require numerous USB 3.0 ports offering 10GB/s or higher, MITX isn’t the right choice if you also need a GPU. Instead, opt for a compact mini-MATX system (various sizes available) and add a USB-C expansion card. Remember, USB-C inclusion doesn’t guarantee USB4 or Thunderbolt on every port. Most boards with several USB-C ports only provide one USB4/Thunderbolt3 port—the desktop version—not the laptop form. This often means it doesn’t support proper PCIe connections or display signals, which are usually reserved for desktops and may require special setup like routing connectors or using an expansion card. If you need many permanently connected USB-C devices, please specify your requirements. We might be able to suggest a more suitable option that fits all your needs, either built-in or via alternative methods. Type A ports also reach 10GB/s, which should suffice for storage and network cards.
They could have made USB just as quick as USB-C, but there are factors preventing that change.
The USB standard limits Type-A ports to versions up to 3.x. Over time, Type-C is expected to become the dominant choice.