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Optiplex 3020 MT, USB 3.0 front panel ports
Hi folks - my out of warranty Optiplex only has 2 USB 2.0 ports on the front panel, but has 2 USB 3.0 ports on the rear panel, but I'd prefer them on the front panel.
Instead of trailing extension cables from the rear, does anyone know of a way to add USB 3.0 ports to the front panel? My main board doesn't have USB 3.0 header pins, which may be a problem.
I'd very much appreciate your help & advice. Thank you.
Kind regards, Niloc1017
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Dell Optiplex 3020 Mini Tower, Intel quad core i5-4460S 2.9 GHz. 64GB SSD with Win7 SP1, 500GB 3.5 HDD for all non-system stuff, optical drive, 8GB ram
fireberd
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July 16th, 2018 03:00
No way that I see with existing hardware. I would just run USB 3.0 extension cables from the rear and use them. Short extension cables will not affect USB 3.0 operation.
speedstep
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July 16th, 2018 05:00
The indirect way is to get a 3.5 inch floppy bay bracket Then buy a USB3 PCI-E card that has 20 pin front panel connector to 3.5 inch bay. Dell-Multi-Card-Reader-bay-w-dvd-rom 0G7V21 is the Reader. You only need the reader 5.25 inch Bracket NR9F.
The 3.5 Floppy bay to 5.25 bay adapter NR95F (Bracket Assembly, F5 to F3 Conversion)
https://www.impactcomputers.com/nr95f.html
https://topics-cdn.dell.com/pdf/optiplex-3020-desktop_owners-manual_en-us.pdf
G7V21 = Media Card Reader module (Includes cable)
Its not easy but it IS possible.
https://www.amazon.com/Anker®-Uspeed-Express-20-pin-Connector/dp/B007SJGGAE
https://www.amazon.com/C-zone-4-Ports-Metal-Connector-Adapter/dp/B01KV023B2
or
Remove the 5.25 inch optical all together
https://www.amazon.com/XinYS-7-Ports-Metal-Connector-Adapter/dp/B01MYNXHAV
Niloc1017
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July 17th, 2018 03:00
Many thanks to both fireberd & speedstep for your helpful comments & suggestions. I'll probably go for the quick & easy option of using extension cables from the rear to the front.
Kind regards, Colin
Tesla1856
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July 17th, 2018 16:00
On one of my machines, I use an Anker USB-3.0 7-Port Powered-Hub.