Building a computer - what's the deal with front ports?

Never built a computer before

I want to have usb and headphone/speaker ports on the front, but I don't know if there are any special requirements for hooking that up, aside from getting a case that supports it.

How do these ports get connected to the motherboard, and will any motherboard support them? Just looking on newegg, the motherboards specs don't seem to mention it..

Most motherboards say they'll support USB, and different kinds of audio ports. Basically the case has a bunch of connectors and the motherboard has pins and you line those up with the ones on the motherboard and plug er' in. Tis a bitch when you cross lines tho; has a tendancy to start fires.

Don't listen to a word that Gwokable says. He doesn't know jack shit about computers.

just a thought but plug-n-play headphones (usb) are a lot nicer.

but anyways, the motherboard must have extra usb ports (internally on the motherboard)

example:

Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 2
LPT 1
USB 4 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394 1 x IEEE 1394a
S/PDIF Out 1x Optical and 1x Coaxial
Audio Ports 6 Ports

Onboard USB
Onboard USB 3 x USB 2.0 connectors support 6 ports


This means it has 4 usb plugins in the back, and 3 additional ports to connect additional usb slots (usb comes in pairs of 2, so 2x3 = 6 more plugins)

Most cases nowadays come with a front usb card that plugs into one of the ports on the motherboard. It's not that bad to build a comp. If you need some more help just ask here or pm me. :)

p.s. you plug them into these ports:

http://twu.piratescode.org//files/114/13-131-540-02.jpg

what about the audio ports?

somewhere around the main power plugin into the motherboard

like so:

http://www.crystalfontz.com/backlight/mrhyde/DSC05167_front_panel_audi o_wiring_to_motherboard.j pg

check the motherboard manual for sure tho (it will tell you where everything is located)

ok, cool

i guess it would be a good idea to look up manuals online before choosing a mobo

got a case with an AC97 compatible front panel speaker out/mic in/multiport connector? good.

got a motherboard with AC97 compatible pinouts? good.

plug them in. you're done. it's as simple as that. many cases have those ac97 connectors, and many motherboards with onboard audio have them as well.

AC97 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ac97)

there's a new standard that was made a while back but it hasn't quite caught on with case manufacturers yet even though it came out in 2004. it's called HD Audio. Intel High Definition Audio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_High_Definition_Aud io)

those wiki links don't really do a good job of explaining the ac97 connector. google for that yourself.

Tad old thread but posting anyways - I don't know if this is an issue anymore but few years back the onboard USB ports had worse power output than the ones back the case (directly on mobo without wirings).. So some Flash sticks and the like didn't really like to work ;o Most likely it's not an issue anymore, but if you're getting older hardware and wondering why that shiny 1-2GB memory stick isn't work -> try sticking it behind the computer