ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFi Case compatibility question

[Louise]

Hi all

Anyone know if there's an affordable mid-tower case that actually utilises all, or most, of the Z790-F front panel i/o? These things seem hard to find! Alternatively maybe there is a separate front panel i/o accessory that I could diy onto a basic case like the Corsair 4000D? It seems a bit of a waste to have all the Z790-F outputs and nowhere to put most of them. I'm in the UK so always limited by that somewhat! 

Thanks

Lou

[Nate152]

Hello Louise

I believe you are mainly referring to the case USB ports?

The ROG Strix Z790-F Gaming WiFI has:

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (Type C) header.

1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header.

2 x USB 2.0 headers.

So, you'd want a case that has USB-C and USB 3.0 / 3.1 or 3.2 ports.

It might be hard to find a newer case that has USB 2.0 ports. The USB 2.0 headers are usually used for other devices such as an AIO cpu cooler for the motherboard to read the device.

So, any case that supports USB 3.0 and USB-C should work fine. One USB 3.0 header will give you two working USB 3.0 ports.

Most cases will have front panel audio ports.

Is there anything else you were looking to use? As an example, here is the Zalman Z10 E-ATX mid tower case.

[Louise]

Along those lines... I specifically said I was in the UK and Zalman cases aren't generally available here.

The Strix Z790-F Wifi has Front HDD LED, Reset SW, Power LED plus:  

Front USB (Total 7 ports)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 connector (supports USB Type-C® with up to 30W PD Fast-charge)
1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 header supports 2 additional USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports
2 x USB 2.0 headers support 4 additional USB 2.0 ports
Plus audio i/o.

I do often use just usb 2.0 though could probably do without on the front panel but would like to have access to them somehow?

Lou

[Nate152]

Most cases will have the PWR LED, Reset SW, HDD led 2-pin cables all ready to go, you just connect them to the proper header.

The Front Panel Audio cable from the case connects to the AAFP header and is located at the bottom left of the motherboard. 

The USB-C and USB 3.0 headers are located here. These cables are ready to go too, just connect the cables from the case to the motherboard.

You will probably use a usb 2.0 header for your cpu cooler?

Do you think you would need the other usb 2.0 header? If not using it for case usb ports, normally, it's used so devices can be read from the motherboard.

[Louise]

Um, I know all that, I'm quite an experienced system builder... I'm just looking for a case that has the Z790-F corresponding front panel connections.  I have a Corsair 4000D airflow but it only uses: (1x) USB 3.2 Gen Type C, (1x) USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, (1x) Audio in/out, reset sw and power switch and I was hoping to do better. I also have a Fractal Design R6 which has the power buttons, audio i/o and 2 x Gen 1 usb 3.0 and 2 x usb 2. So no type c even.

I figure there must be at least some cases with better front panel i/o but maybe I'm expecting too much!

[Nate152]

The speaker in the front panel audio header is for diagnostics. It's not needed, but if you have one, it can come in handy to help identify any problems with beep codes.

The Corsair 4000D is an awesome case, I see it supports up to a 360mm radiator in the front.

It has pretty much everything as other pc cases. The only thing I see is, it doesn't have an HDD led to show drive activity. But, it's not a critical feature unless it's something you desire.

Corsair 4000D Front Panel connections.

[Louise]

You didn't read my post. I have a Corsair 4000D and a Define R6. Never mind, I'll try and find a solution myself.

[Nate152]

I'm sorry, I'm just trying to help you out.

The Fractal Define R6 is a nice case too, it can support a 360mm radiator at the top and the front. 

You get usb 2.0 and usb 3.0 ports plus the HDD led, like you say, no usb-c.

So I guess it would come down to if you wanted usb-c with no hdd led, or four usb-a ports with an hdd led.

I kind of like the four usb-a ports myself, I personally don't use usb-c and would probably only use it for charging anyway.

Fractal Define R6 Front Panel connectors.

[Louise]

Um, like I said, I already have the Corsair 4000D and Define R6. There's no need to feed me information that I already have - not helpful!

[inge70]

it is the fault of the case manufacturers and not of Asus or any other motherboard manufacturer that certain connections on the motherboard cannot be used.
It has always been like this and will never change.
The system panel where the case's connectors are connected has been the same for years. Only the case manufacturers have adapted the connections on their cases over the years without taking the connections on the motherboards into account.

In the end, the user just has to look for a case that offers the connections they want and that the corresponding motherboard can also offer.

As there are a wide variety of cases, no motherboard manufacturer will be able to implement this on all of its motherboards and adapt it to all variants of cases. Then you have to get a motherboard that offers all the connections for the desired case.
Buying first and then checking is the wrong approach. Nowadays you can check and compare everything before buying.

Complaining to the motherboard manufacturer because something is missing or there is too much on the motherboard is pointless here.