RANT- front panel connectors are a crime against pc builders/users

[Waldorf]

@inquisitor1
just a matter of saving the connection block when you buy the next board, even if the layout of pins is different, the area/size on almost all boards is the same.
i have been reusing one for the past 5 builds, just adapting where each pin goes to the layout of the new board.

@_roman_
and see thousand complain after burning out a fan port from running 10 fans on a single connection.

@Shihab
until you get the front panel stolen and spend ~70% of the whole units cost.
given it was a nice Alpine, but i dont care for removable stuff anymore, and prefer to make the car (more) break in proof.

@Dr. Dro
why do you have to constantly plug/unplug it?

 

[PLAfiller]

The fat USB 3 connector is worse, IMO. it's kind of a matter of when and not if one if the pins will break off making the header

Been there, done that! Pretty crap feeling when you break something that works.... The new gen 3.2 USB-C connectors are better in that regard.

 

[Dr. Dro]

@Dr. Dro
why do you have to constantly plug/unplug it?

You don't, but own something for enough time and it's bound to go through different cases (I like to freshen my builds with new chassis every now and then). One of the headers on my X99 board finally croaked after a single pin broke off... took 8 years, even with a lot of care, it still happens... it's just a bad connector IMO. I guess I'll use it for an experiment on the next overhaul, maybe if I spray some WD-40 it'll slide in nice and smooth (ehe~)

not worried about the fragility. my issue is seeing the pins. I have a bit of double vision so 1 looks like 11. I slightly move my head back and forth to read the numbers. happened from covid stress

but those pins are so small and badly located. especially a full atx mb and midi case. its all tight there.

Might need glasses, mate. I have pretty poor eyesight myself, really need my glasses which mostly manage to correct my vision. I went to the ophthalmologist yesterday to get a check up... my prescription got quite a bit stronger since last time

 

[Waldorf]

@Dr. Dro
i have swapped between 1-5 cases per mb i owned in the past 10y myself (usually when selling parts 1/2 times per year), and just never had a problem.
then again, all running amd chips, so might have different parts/hw, ignoring most had pretty thick pcb's.

still dont recommend WD40 for that.
while it might work, it was designed to disperse water for mil use, in nuclear related things.
(love how many in the americas use it as lubricant, especially when there are better/cheaper options)

 

[inquisitor1]

You don't, but own something for enough time and it's bound to go through different cases (I like to freshen my builds with new chassis every now and then). One of the headers on my X99 board finally croaked after a single pin broke off... took 8 years, even with a lot of care, it still happens... it's just a bad connector IMO. I guess I'll use it for an experiment on the next overhaul, maybe if I spray some WD-40 it'll slide in nice and smooth (ehe~)



Might need glasses, mate. I have pretty poor eyesight myself, really need my glasses which mostly manage to correct my vision. I went to the ophthalmologist yesterday to get a check up... my prescription got quite a bit stronger since last time

I would not spray directly. I spray it on a qtip then rub lightly on the sides and face of the connectors. for the electrical connectors better something like CAIG's pro gold. but for 24pin and 8pins, its slips in so nicely with qtip silicone spray. I dont use WD40. its garbage.

just a matter of saving the connection block when you buy the next board, even if the layout of pins is different, the are on almost all boards is the same.
i have been reusing one for the past 5 builds, just adapting where each pin goes to the layout of the new board.

where can you buy them? I have never gotten one in any MB. I always buy low level boards I guess thats why.

 

[Waldorf]

@inquisitor1
maybe look for "replacement" (for a higher tier board) in online shops.
my quick search only found ext cables/usb etc.
where are you located?
dont use them anymore (mb 90* offset; all black parts and wanted a "clean as it gets" look with no non-black adapter on it).

(petroleum jelly is pretty good. slight coating for lubrication, thicker if you need "electrical"/corrosion protection)

 

[inquisitor1]

@inquisitor1
maybe look for "replacement" (for a higher tier board) in online shops.

(petroleum jelly is pretty good. slight coating for lubrication, thicker if you need "electrical"/corrosion protection)

also dielectric grease is ok?

ill look. thanks buddy.

 

[Waldorf]

@inquisitor1
so decided to grab my pc tool/part box to transfer some stuff i still kept in my room, and check, only to find i dont have them for fp anymore, just usb2/3.

yeah, as long as you dont care it getting messy if you spread it to other stuff after touching

 

[GerKNG]

and what if i don't want a power or activity LED with a unified connector?

 

[inquisitor1]

and what if i don't want a power or activity LED with a unified connector?

dont connect it. I thought my MB was dead so took it out to try a new one. i pulled it out, then I noticed one of the mem sticks was sitting in the slot at an angle, not locked in and its my guess which is the reason why it never posted. kept shorting I guess. I took it out because i wanted the model number of the set. and the damn big asz cooler and being tired and at night, I hadnt put it in properly.

anyway, I used 3 mb screws, slipped it all in. I used only the reset switch and power switch. the others I didnt connect. so long post, you dont need it and I dont use it as at night it flickers like a MF and annoys me. so no led is needed for me dont connect. easy peasey

 

[Bill_Bright]

There was a time in the past almost every mobo maker had their little adapter, and included it in all motherboards.

Not in my lifetime and I've been building computers (from extreme budget to extreme high-end) for a living since the mid 1980s. It is only in recent years where board makers included adapters with some of their boards.

then again, all running amd chips, so might have different parts/hw, ignoring most had pretty thick pcb's.

Huh? What does that have to do with it, Waldorf? Do cases know if going with AMD or Intel? No. Are cases designed for either AMD or Intel? No? Do hard drives, SSDs, USB ports, PSUs, headphone and mic ports, HDMI/DVI/DP ports care if using AMD or Intel?

The ATX Form Factor dictates the size, shape, pin-out, and in some instances, even the location of various connectors.

just a matter of saving the connection block when you buy the next board, even if the layout of pins is different, the area/size on almost all boards is the same.
i have been reusing one for the past 5 builds, just adapting where each pin goes to the layout of the new board.

Now that's a good idea. Of course it requires one to actually refer to the motherboard's user manual to see the pin-out of that header - and that goes against the grain of some folks.

My problem with that, however, is when I build a new computer for me, one of my grandkids typically inherit my old so the adapter would go with. Still, next time I replace just the motherboard, if it has one of those, I'll be sure to keep it.

still dont recommend WD40 for that.
while it might work, it was designed to disperse water for mil use, in nuclear related things.

I agree. Do NOT use WD40 (the original formula) on electronics. It is petroleum based, as are most plastics. That means they could interact - that would be bad. And yes, the "WD" in WD-40 does indeed stand for "Water Displacement" which hopefully is not needed with a motherboard connection.

Instead, you can use, and I recommend the use of a good "electrical contact" cleaner such as CRC QD Electronic Cleaner or WD-40 Electrical Contact Cleaner. These not only are designed to be used on electronics, they are safe to use with almost all plastics. Not only do they clean the electrical contacts, they help lubricate the connectors too. I note the CRC cleaner uses a petroleum distillate but it is blended with alcohol to ensure no residue is left behind. A can of CRC contact cleaner has been on my bench for 50+ years.

(love how many in the americas use it as lubricant, especially when there are better/cheaper options)

We use it because it is great stuff. It quickly and easily stops a door hinge from squeaking, lubes and frees a sticky padlock, frees many a rusty nut or can even be used to quickly clean bearing grease off our hands.

Are there better lubricants? Sure, but most tend to be more specialized - not "multi-use" like WD-40.

But also, nothing says we "Americans" keep only WD-40 on hand as our only lubricant for any and everything that needs lubricating. I also keep a can of 3 in1 handy and suspect that can be found in most households across the US too. I even keep a tube of white grease nearby too.

As for cost, not sure how prohibitive the cost of WD-40 is in Spain, or why it would be so, Waldorf. But I would hardly call $5.88 for an 8oz can that would last most normal households years, perhaps decades, expensive or a budget buster.

 

[Dr. Dro]

I agree. Do NOT use WD40 (the original formula) on electronics. It is petroleum based, as are most plastics. That means they could interact - that would be bad. And yes, the "WD" in WD-40 does indeed stand for "Water Displacement" which hopefully is not needed with a motherboard connection.

Instead, you can use, and I recommend the use of a good "electrical contact" cleaner such as CRC QD Electronic Cleaner or WD-40 Electrical Contact Cleaner. These not only are designed to be used on electronics, they are safe to use with almost all plastics. Not only do they clean the electrical contacts, they help lubricate the connectors too. I note the CRC cleaner uses a petroleum distillate but it is blended with alcohol to ensure no residue is left behind. A can of CRC contact cleaner has been on my bench for 50+ years.


We use it because it is great stuff. It quickly and easily stops a door hinge from squeaking, lubes and frees a sticky padlock, frees many a rusty nut or can even be used to quickly clean bearing grease off our hands.

Are there better lubricants? Sure, but most tend to be more specialized - not "multi-use" like WD-40.

But also, nothing says we "Americans" keep only WD-40 on hand as our only lubricant for any and everything that needs lubricating. I also keep a can of 3 in1 handy and suspect that can be found in most households across the US too. I even keep a tube of white grease nearby too.

As for cost, not sure how prohibitive the cost of WD-40 is in Spain, or why it would be so, Waldorf. But I would hardly call $5.88 for an 8oz can that would last most normal households years, perhaps decades, expensive or a budget buster.

To clarify, what I had in mind is indeed the WD-40 contact cleaner variant (which lubricates in addition to being proper for cleaning electronic circuit boards), the idea is to lubricate (so the pins don't get stuck, which is what causes them to break).

 

[inquisitor1]

Not in my lifetime and I've been building computers (from extreme budget to extreme high-end) for a living since the mid 1980s. It is only in recent years where board makers included adapters with some of their boards.

agree, ive been building my own since 2005 and have never had the block adapter in any mb. its about dam time they include it in all boards. cheap aszes. bought a mb, cheap sons of ****** dont even include any foam. just cardboard in a cheap box in an amazon box with no padding. box in a box in a box. what garbage companies.

and the delivery guy throws the package over the 2m fence and lands on the concrete. I cant wait to see what fun Ill have with it to figure what may have broke. incompetent fools from mfr to delivery.

 

[Bill_Bright]

and the delivery guy throws the package over the 2m fence and lands on the concrete. I cant wait to see what fun Ill have with it to figure what may have broke. incompetent fools from mfr to delivery.

Certainly not good - especially if there was a gate 2 feet away. What's really sad is some buyers will down-rate a product in a user review because the delivery guy damaged the product.

 

[chrcoluk]

I agree on standardising it, I guess the issue is the transitional period. Otherwise a new board comes and boom you need a new case as it only supports the new method. My idea would be put the new standardised connector on the board, it would be easy like plugging in USB type C. During transitional period board vendors supply a cable, that can be plugged in which has pins on other end for older cases. After a few generations of boards, the cables stop being shipped with an expectation of using a compliant case.

 

[Frick]

To be fair, the adapters most boards come with nowadays have made this mostly a non-issue. But it is pretty wild how the PC ecosystem has evolved in terms of connectivity, yet the most basic and simple and annoying connectors are still the very same ones that launched with the AT form factor nearly **four decades ago**. "If it ain't broke don't fix it" may be true most of the time, but certainly not for front panel connectors.

In all my life building computers I have owned exactly one motherboard that had one of those adapter things. The current motherboard, a MSI X670E Gaming Plus Wifi which is supposed to be on the higher end of the scale, does not have one.

Personally I'm just thankful it was decades since I last saw a board that had no markings whatsoever and I had no manual for it. I only ever use two cables anyway, power and reset, the others are meaningless to me.

 

[TheLostSwede]

for so many years and they cant think of making it easier? larger or at least get a standardized case plug and mb connector. ffs, cmon now.

years and years these small pins you can hardly see and no less at the bottom where you have limited reach.

this is humanity dumbed down. no progress on the basics. and plus the fact that the case mfr dont help with their marking on the plugs. so small

I dont understand how they add so many great features but cant all come to an agreement to make a universal front panel plug and mb connector.

Ive never seen it but I heard theres an "easier middle plug you connect fpc to and then into the mb. cool, make a standard connector.

with all their "tech" theyre still stuck in the past.

Try putting four competing companies in a room and make them agree on a standard and you'll understand how easy it is to make standards.
You clearly do not have the first idea about how not friendly at all towards each other the four big motherboard makers are and none of them give a crap about the smaller ones.
This is why we are where we are.

 

[sneekypeet]

I will agree with annoying, but the connections have arrows to mark the positive side, and + and - on the seperated one.

Look, I've reviewed a metric shit ton of cases, and connected every cable. I will say using ASUS boards made it easier with the adapter. I am much more disappointed in native USB 3.0 flimsiness, and I have moved FP pins pulling cables too tight, but never bent them in half like you can easily do with the other connection.

From what I remeber, most of the uncommon layouts came with m-ITX boards, most of my m-ATX, ATX, and E-ATX examples all used the same pinouts.

Just one guys take.

 

[Frick]

I am much more disappointed in native USB 3.0 flimsiness

A while back I was building a PC for a relative and for some reason I had to disconnect the USB 3.0 cable, and the entire plastic socket on the motherboard was ripped off. The pins weren't damaged and it works as it should, but now the cable has the socket attached to it permanently because it would not come loose.

 

[chrcoluk]

What annoyed me is when I retired my 9900k system, board was in perfect condition, not even any dust build up. Then when cleaning I put it on top of a pile of clothes, and it fell to the floor, the corner that landed was the on board sound pins, several bent and I still havent got them looking right, never used the onboard sound but still annoying, however I do plan to test the onboard sound on it to see how well high end realtek sounds, so maybe that will straighten them out.

 

[silentbogo]

Asus Q-Connect was a blast back in a day. Made my life much easier.
I think the reason it faded away, is not because MB manufacturers can't agree on the standard(99% of consumer boards use identical pinout), but the case manufactures that decided to ignore it for over 20 years.
Another thing that pisses me off, is that you can't find as single mid-range case that has a 90 degree FP USB3.0 connector. There are aftermarket adapters and maybe half-a-dozen hi-end boards that have a 90 degree connector on the edge, but if it was an initial design choice in a case(or at least if they included an adapter), this would solve myriad of cable management issues right away.
I'm all in for standardization, but I think we have to pressure case manufacturers to make it happen. Boards are good enough today(and have been for awhile) in this regard.

On my personal rigs I usually glue these FP connectors together, or crimp my own 2x5 dupont connector to make life easier in the future(especially since my upgrade cycles became less and less frequent).

 

[Macro Device]

I wish I had tiny raccoon like fingers, maybe that's why I'm not the greatest technician that's ever lived

THIS. Every time I wanna fix something in my PC, my plumbing or whatever the monstrous size of my palms becomes a major problem. 3XL gloves are also usually scarce. I don't even mention computer mice, these are horribly undersized...

Every male who's taller than 5'5" (166 cm) and has hands bigger than those of a baby gotta shut the hell up about being not big enough. Being big is problematic, not the other way around.

On the topic: connecting those before the mobo is inside the case helps a ton. Of course it doesn't magically make this standard great but at least helps.

 

[Frick]

THIS. Every time I wanna fix something in my PC, my plumbing or whatever the monstrous size of my palms becomes a major problem.

That is 100% a technical skill issue.

I wish I had tiny raccoon like fingers, maybe that's why I'm not the greatest technician that's ever lived

Just adding you to that as well, that is 1000000% a skill thing.

 

[Macro Device]

That is 100% a technical skill issue.

Okay genius, how do you fix your bathtub without unmounting it if even with five million metric tons of vaseline, there is no way you squeeze your arm to the point where it's broken? My friend has never attempted to fix anything but she has way better time doing that despite having ABSOLUTELY ZERO SKILL, she doesn't even know how these things are called and no, she never was involved in any manual labour. She can reach things I physically cannot because she can squeeze her tiny hands/arms there.

 

[Frick]

Okay genius, how do you fix your bathtub without unmounting it if even with five million metric tons of vaseline, there is no way you squeeze your arm to the point where it's broken? My friend has never attempted to fix anything but she has way better time doing that despite having ABSOLUTELY ZERO SKILL, she doesn't even know how these things are called and no, she never was involved in any manual labour. She can reach things I physically cannot because she can squeeze her tiny hands/arms there.

View attachment 381506

I should have left out the plumbing bit because this is about computers; your hands are not to big to work on computers. And as we're going to extremes here, and please take this as the joke it is intended as, I suggest use your dick to trigger the gun.