Why molex on a 3.5" front panel USB 2.0 add-on ?

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Why molex on a 3.5" front panel USB 2.0 add-on ?

Why molex on a 3.5" front panel USB 2.0 add-on ?

J

JesseSSinger
Member

169

01-28-2016, 02:39 PM

#1

So I'm looking at these USB addons that fit into a 3.5" floppy bay and bring USB 2.0 ports onto the PC case front panel, and I can't figure out why they put a molex connector on there. Each PC case essentially has / had front panel USB 2.0 ports built-in, and it only features a cable that you then plug onto the motherboard 9 -pin USB connector and you got USB 2.0 on the front. There is no extra power required. The front USB ports are usually soldered onto a small PCB along with one or two added capacitors (I'm guessing those are required due to the cable length), but that's it. USB 3 addons seem to be straight-through, but USB 2.0 ones seem to use the PCB with added capacitors and that molex connector, apparently for some kind of power. But why?
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/4000185511115.html
Amazon.com
Example:

J

JesseSSinger

01-28-2016, 02:39 PM #1

So I'm looking at these USB addons that fit into a 3.5" floppy bay and bring USB 2.0 ports onto the PC case front panel, and I can't figure out why they put a molex connector on there. Each PC case essentially has / had front panel USB 2.0 ports built-in, and it only features a cable that you then plug onto the motherboard 9 -pin USB connector and you got USB 2.0 on the front. There is no extra power required. The front USB ports are usually soldered onto a small PCB along with one or two added capacitors (I'm guessing those are required due to the cable length), but that's it. USB 3 addons seem to be straight-through, but USB 2.0 ones seem to use the PCB with added capacitors and that molex connector, apparently for some kind of power. But why?
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/4000185511115.html
Amazon.com
Example:

F

Freckin
Junior Member

36

02-15-2016, 10:16 AM

#2

Could be for actively supplying USB power to charge ports or devices requiring higher energy.

F

Freckin

02-15-2016, 10:16 AM #2

Could be for actively supplying USB power to charge ports or devices requiring higher energy.

C

CutiePie45
Junior Member

27

02-17-2016, 12:57 AM

#3

I think it's better to create an active USB hub so everything coming out is stable and dependable. This is especially important given the poor performance you're experiencing with the internal cable.
You probably won't exceed the power limits set by the USB standard, although you shouldn't verify that yourself.

C

CutiePie45

02-17-2016, 12:57 AM #3

I think it's better to create an active USB hub so everything coming out is stable and dependable. This is especially important given the poor performance you're experiencing with the internal cable.
You probably won't exceed the power limits set by the USB standard, although you shouldn't verify that yourself.