Internal USB cables and adapters connect the USB headers on a motherboard to a case's front panel, a rear slot bracket or another device inside the PC. Our range includes USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 cables, header adapters and brackets with external ports from DELOCK, AKASA, INLINE and AKYGA. They suit anyone building, repairing or upgrading a desktop computer.
How to choose an internal USB cable or adapter
Header type on the motherboard. Check the motherboard manual first. A USB 2.0 header has 9 pins, a USB 3.0 header has 19 pins, and a front-panel USB-C port needs a 20-pin Type-E header. The cable has to match one of these exactly.
USB standard and speed. USB 2.0 transfers data at up to 480 Mbit/s, while USB 3.0 (also called USB 3.2 Gen 1) reaches 5 Gbit/s. If you plan to connect an external drive or card reader to the front panel, choose USB 3.0, because USB 2.0 will slow it down noticeably.
Cable length. Measure from the header to the point where the cable has to reach the case opening, then add some slack for bends. Large cases need a longer cable, but surplus length gets in the way of airflow and is harder to hide.
Purpose of the adapter. An adapter from a 19-pin USB 3.0 connector to a 9-pin USB 2.0 header helps when the board has no USB 3.0 header but the case panel does. It will only run at USB 2.0 speed. A bracket with ports fits into a free expansion slot at the back of the case, so make sure you have one before buying.
Shielding and connector quality. USB 3.0 cables are more sensitive to interference than USB 2.0, so a shielded cable with firm, keyed connectors is the better choice. Keying prevents you from plugging it in the wrong way round and bending the pins.
Brands we carry
- DELOCK: known for a very large selection of computer connectors, adapters and extension cables, so it is a good place to look for less common header combinations.
- AKASA: best known for PC cooling, and in this category it also offers internal USB cables and adapters for cases.
- INLINE: a German manufacturer that specialises in computer and office cables and accessories.
- SILVERSTONE, INTER-TECH, KOLINK: all three are best known as PC case makers, so their cables are typically designed to match their own front-panel connectors.
You will also find products from AKYGA and HP INC.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which internal USB cable I need?
Look at the USB headers on your motherboard and count the pins. Nine pins means USB 2.0, nineteen means USB 3.0 and twenty means a Type-E header for USB-C. The motherboard manual confirms exactly which ones you have.
Can I connect a USB 3.0 cable to a USB 2.0 header?
Not directly, because the 19-pin plug does not fit a 9-pin header. You need an adapter from USB 3.0 to USB 2.0. The device will then run at USB 2.0 speed, since the motherboard header cannot go faster.
Can an older motherboard support a front USB-C port?
Usually only if it has a 20-pin Type-E header. If the board has none, a cable alone will not help. One solution is an expansion card that sits in a PCI Express slot and provides such a header.
Does an internal USB hub help when I run out of headers?
Yes, an internal hub turns one motherboard header into several connections. All devices share the speed of that single header, so it suits a keyboard, mouse or lighting controller, but it is a poor choice for several fast drives at once.
